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Free Credit Report Available
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The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide a free copy of a consumer’s credit report once every 12 months if requested by the consumer. The three reporting companies include Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
They provide a central Web site and toll-free telephone number.
- www.annualcreditreport.com
- 1-877-322-8228
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers to be wary of the many other Web sites that claim to offer free credit reports, free credit scores or free credit monitoring. These sites are not part of the official annual free credit report program and sometimes the “free” product comes with strings attached. For example, at some sites consumers sign up for a supposedly free service, but the free service converts to service with a fee attached at the end of a trial period. Consumers must terminate the trial period or may find fees charged to their credit card.
To order your report at www.annual creditreport.com, you will be asked to provide name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may have to give your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each nationwide consumer reporting company also may ask for information that only you would know, such as the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. Each company may ask for different information. The reason is that each company’s information may come from different sources.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid unfair practices. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
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