Reasons to get a free credit report
Now more than ever, it is important that everyone know their credit score and review their credit report on a regular basis. The information contained in a credit report can have positive or negative impacts on a person’s life and affect both financial and personal. Old or inaccurate information on a report can lead to someone being denied a credit card, mortgage, personal loan, rent an apartment or even a job. Fortunately, U.S. law now requires that all citizens have the opportunity to obtain once a year a reliable credit report from three credit bureaus. Take the time to review these reports for inaccurate information, it could save someone a lot of trouble and money in the long term.
How to obtain a free annual credit report
One of the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act is that the three major credit reporting agencies must provide means for citizens to access their annual credit reports. These organizations include TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. The purpose of this provision was to ensure that people had the means to verify the accuracy of credit reports from these organizations and to guard against identity theft. Compliance, companies have developed various means to get a free annual report as part of a service jointly created.
This service is called ” Central Source plant “, which processes requests for free annual credit reports through a Web site: www.annualcreditreport.com or a toll-free telephone number: 877-322-8228 or mailing address. It is the only federal site approved to provide free annual reports directly to consumers via the Internet. It is no longer possible for a person to obtain their reports by the three major credit reporting agencies sites because they are all linked back to the central source.
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Free Credit Reports requested by mail will be processed within 15 days of receiving the request.
The best way to get an annual credit report from Central Source website annual appropriation. Basic information must be provided to authenticate identification. A choice can be made as to which company credit rating of a person wishes to receive their report to. The company selected may request special additional personal information to better protect against identity theft. Companies generally offer more options for paid services, but they are not required to receive a free report.
For those not comfortable providing personal information over the Internet, an annual credit report can also be requested by calling. After providing information to verify personal identity, a choice can be made as to which company a person wants his report. After all information has been verified, the report will be posted within 15 days. The system is largely automated, so the callers need personal information on hand at the time of call and speak clear English.
Another option to request an annual credit report is by mail. Anyone can download and print the online annual credit application form. Once the form completed, it can be mailed. With this option, it may take up to one month for the request to be fully done.
It is important to keep in mind that a free credit report is available to everyone from all three reporting agencies every year. All three reports can be requested at the time or, for example, spaced to receive a report from a different agency every four months.
Necessary information for a report
Whatever method is used, any person to obtain an annual credit report will require personal and financial information on hand at the time of application. The basic information required will be name, address, date of birth and social security number. However, to avoid identity theft or other unauthorized access to a report, more detailed information will be needed. This information may include verification of current employment, checking accounts and credit cards or addresses lived to be provided in the recent past. To make the process of obtaining a credit report easier, it is always best to have as much information as possible on hand at the time of application.
Avoid scams Free Annual Credit
The right of every citizen to have access to free annual credit reports also generated an increase in the unfortunate business of promoting scams for the same services. This is especially true on the Internet. There are now hundreds of fake websites offering free credit reports which are merely fronts for those seeking to obtain personal and financial information for illegal purposes or to charge for services beyond providing a credit report . It is best to never respond to an offer for a credit report. These are usually credit monitoring services that will require credit card information before allowing a person to access a form to fill out an application for a credit report. annual credit report advertising and it is not the only reliable source for receiving an annual credit report free and unattached. Keep in mind that a free annual credit report is as stated – it’s free.
How do I contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)?
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
Room 130
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
www.ftc.gov/credit
