One of the benefits of being an American citizen is that each year we get a little gift in the form of a free copy of credit report. Instead of having to plunk down the five to ten bucks it used to cost per copy, we can get one free annually. We can thank the government for passing the 2003 Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act and giving us our little bonus.
The three prominent national credit reporting agencies are the most affected by the law passed in 2003. Now Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax must fulfill each person's request for their annual free credit report. The other requirement is that they maintain a single, central source. This source has a mailing address, a toll-free number and a website for consumers.
It is important to note that you are responsible for requesting your annual copy. The companies are not required to simply send out credit reports each year. You have three options to choose from when placing your request.
The centralized source has a brochure about the free credit report policy. On the back of this, there is a form that you can simply fill out and send in.
Your second option is by calling. There is a toll-free number listed in the brochure and on the website.
Do not forget that you can always visit the Web site and order your report online. Since there is only the single offcial site, be sure that you do not stumble across one that tries to charge you for your report. Some very creative and money hungry people have set up sites with similar names and try to get you to pay for your report. Do not fall for it.
Do not forget that you can really get three reports. Each agency is required to provide you with a copy. To be on the safe side, you should really only use the centralized source to place your order. Whether you plan on order each report separately or all at once, the one location is the surest way to make certain that you are getting your free reports.
If you get your annual free credit report, you may think that you cannot get another one that year without paying for it. However, there are a few circumstances in which you are able to get another free report. Here are a few examples of situations in which you could get that extra report: application for unemployment or to get public assistance;you live in a state that requires free annual reports from each credit agency; or denial of a loan, job or insurance policy due to your credit.
The three prominent national credit reporting agencies are the most affected by the law passed in 2003. Now Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax must fulfill each person's request for their annual free credit report. The other requirement is that they maintain a single, central source. This source has a mailing address, a toll-free number and a website for consumers.
It is important to note that you are responsible for requesting your annual copy. The companies are not required to simply send out credit reports each year. You have three options to choose from when placing your request.
The centralized source has a brochure about the free credit report policy. On the back of this, there is a form that you can simply fill out and send in.
Your second option is by calling. There is a toll-free number listed in the brochure and on the website.
Do not forget that you can always visit the Web site and order your report online. Since there is only the single offcial site, be sure that you do not stumble across one that tries to charge you for your report. Some very creative and money hungry people have set up sites with similar names and try to get you to pay for your report. Do not fall for it.
Do not forget that you can really get three reports. Each agency is required to provide you with a copy. To be on the safe side, you should really only use the centralized source to place your order. Whether you plan on order each report separately or all at once, the one location is the surest way to make certain that you are getting your free reports.
If you get your annual free credit report, you may think that you cannot get another one that year without paying for it. However, there are a few circumstances in which you are able to get another free report. Here are a few examples of situations in which you could get that extra report: application for unemployment or to get public assistance;you live in a state that requires free annual reports from each credit agency; or denial of a loan, job or insurance policy due to your credit.
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