You should consult your tax adviser about the tax implications for your estate. These accounts are not substitutes for estate planning with professional legal and tax advice. Dear Dr. Don, I recently became unemployed and am researching my financial position. Ally Allinfree Dear Ally, To get that free report you have to certify in a letter that you are unemployed and are seeking employment in the next 60 days. Since employment information is part of the report, you can expect to have the change in your employment status noted on your credit report.
Credit reports are only one facet of a lender's decision to grant credit.
Verification of employment and the credit score are two other facets. You can be unemployed and have an excellent credit history and, according to the Fair Issac Web site , employment history is not considered when calculating a FICO credit score. The Experian Web site has a page with a current listing of the fees charged by state . I'd rather pay the fee than certify my unemployment status in writing, but there shouldn't be long-term implications from the letter if you are looking for and eventually find a new job. Our financial expert, Don Taylor, will answer your financial questions in his column, which appears Monday through Friday.