Your Free Credit Report

01. Access to a Free Credit Report

A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation's consumer reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies.

A credit report contains 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 credit report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home. There are three nationwide consumer reporting companies:

1. Equifax
2. Experian
3. Trans Union

02. How to Get Your Free Credit Report

Consumers in Western states will first be able to order their free credit reports under the federal law beginning December 1, 2004. Consumers in other states will be able to order their copies according to a regional roll-out.

The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website and a toll-free telephone number where you can order your free credit report:

* Visit: AnnualCreditReport.com
* Call: 1-877-322-8228

Or, you can complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form available at the website above and mail it to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

You may order your free credit reports from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies at the same time, or you can order from only one or two. The law allows you to order one free credit report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies every 12 months.

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