Bankrate has 12 strategies to keep your credit in tip-top shape:

• Catch mistakes before they make it to your report;
• Stagger your free reports for year-round monitoring;
• Double or triple up on free report if you live in Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont;
• Get your credit report free when you’ve been denied;
• Follow up for a free report after fixing mistakes;
• Check it during your job hunt;
• Try a scoring estimator;
• Check your score when already paying for another service;
• Save by doubling up when you want both your credit report and your credit score;
• Get free advice from credit counselors.

For more ways to keep your credit strong and healthy throughout the year, check out our credit report and score savvy roundup. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER

12 free credit monitoring strategies [Bankrate]
(Photo: Marcus Vegas)

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