Why should you spend the £2 to see your credit report? If you're planning to apply for a credit card, there are a number of good reasons why you should order your credit report first.

1. Credit reports aren't always accurate. Credit card companies base their decisions on what's contained in your credit report. If the information there isn't accurate, then you may find yourself turned down for the best credit card deals through no fault of your own. Checking your credit report shows you exactly what the credit card companies will see when they check into your credit.

2. You can request corrections to your credit report before any credit card companies see it. It's always easier to prevent damage than to repair it. Remember that every time a prospective lender - like a credit card company - checks your credit record, it gets ticked off on your report. When you're issued a credit card, that gets listed on your credit report as well. Rejected applications can damage your credit rating. It's better to prevent the rejections in the first place by being sure that the information reported in your credit report is accurate.

3. Knowing your credit rating can help you choose the best credit card for you. Another way to prevent rejections from credit card companies is to apply for credit cards that are designed for people in your credit circumstances. When you compare credit cards at moneyeverything.com, for instance, you'll be able to tell at a glance which credit cards are aimed at people with excellent credit, which are offered to those with good to fair credit and which accept those with poor credit. Knowing what's on your credit report will help you choose the best credit card to apply for.

4. You can boost your credit rating with a few simple steps.
Besides the reports from creditors that may be on your credit report, the reporting agencies also gather information from the public rolls. There are a few key things you can do to boost your credit rating.
- If you're not registered on the electoral rolls, register - and then notify the credit reporting agencies that you have.
- If you have many unused credit cards listed, cancel one or two.
- If possible, pay down your highest credit cards.
- Correct any errors on your credit report. You can find from Experian a page explaining how to make various corrections to your credit report at the UK MSN site.