Blonch

It’s Your Report

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. You are also entitled to a free credit report under certain circumstances, such as when you are denied credit because of something in your credit report.

A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home. You want to make sure their information is accurate.

How do I order my free report?

You can order your free annual credit report online at annualcreditreport.com, or by calling 1-877-322-8228. When you order, you need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. To verify your identity, you may need to provide some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.

Getting the Most Bang for You Money Free

You can order three free credit reports each year, but you don’t have to order all three at the same time. If you order one from each of the three credit bureaus every four months, you can stay more current on what’s in your credit accounts, without having to buy a service. If you are married, you can double up by ordering a report for you and for your spouse – that’s six free credit reports per year – enough to order one every other month.

A Warning About “Imposter” Sites

Be sure to correctly spell annualcreditreport.com, or link to it from this website to avoid being misdirected to other websites that offer supposedly free reports,but only with the purchase of other products. While consumers may be offered additional products or services while on the authorized website, they are not required to make a purchase to receive their free annual credit reports.

Filed under:
Credit Card Debt by PecosJack