Priceless Info for Free? Yes, Please.
Like it or not, credit agencies are rating you and trying to track your credit activity. That is going to be true year in, year out, throughout your life.
Admittedly, it’s a little creepy. What’s more concerning is with access to ALL. THE. DATA. they still make awful mistakes. If you have a common name, you are unlikely to go through life without one of two cases of mistaken credit identity.
Their mistake can quickly become YOUR problem, when your credit score goes down and suddenly you can’t get credit approval to finance a student loan or a cell phone. You’ll get turned down when you’re trying to buy something, but unless you know your credit report, you won’t know why!
That is so wrong (and if people are standing in line waiting for you to finish buying that phone…a little embarrassing too). You deserve better, and fortunately, the law is on your side on this one.
Each of the three nationwide credit reporting bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – will provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months, in accordance with federal law. They have established one central website, telephone number, and mailing address to use for ordering your report. The credit bureaus will only be providing the free annual reports through this central location, not through their individual websites, telephone numbers, or addresses.
Web: www.annualcreditreport.com Telephone: 877-322-8228 Mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box 105281 Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
You may get a free report from each of the three bureaus all at once, or stagger your requests throughout the year. If you request the report online, you should be able to view it immediately. Requests via telephone or mail will take approximately 15 days for processing.
Credit Scores The free credit reports do not include a credit score. A credit score is a number used to determine the level of risk you might represent if a financial institution were to lend to you. Many lenders use credit scores to determine whether to extend credit, and at what rate. The credit bureaus provide, for a fee, reports with scores.
Beware of Free Credit Report Scams Unfortunately, with this opportunity to fight identity theft, there is an opportunity for fraud. The Annual Credit Report Request Service is the only authorized source for your free annual credit report from the three major bureaus. Neither the Annual Credit Report Request Service nor the bureaus will send emails requesting your personal information. If you get an email or see a pop-up ad that claims to be affiliated with the Annual Credit Report Request Service or www.annualcreditreport.com, do not reply or click on any link in the message – it’s probably a scam.
Other Free Reports You have the right to request a free credit report directly from the credit bureaus under certain circumstances. These additional reports are not available through the Annual Credit Report Request Service. You may be eligible for free reports if:
You have been denied credit, housing, employment, or insurance based on the information in your credit report within the last 60 days (from the bureau that supplied the information)
Adverse action was taken against you based on information contained in your credit report
You certify that you are unemployed and plan to seek employment within 60 days (one free report every 12 months)
You certify that you are receiving public benefits (one free report every 12 months)
Your report is inaccurate due to fraud (one free report every 12 months)
Contacting the Bureaus
Equifax 800-685-1111 www.equifax.com
Experian 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) www.experian.com
Trans Union 800-888-4213 www.transunion.com
Get your free report, every year. Information is power, so take your power into your hands.