October 19, 2009

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies -- TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian -- to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the companies, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies.

It is important to know that only one Web site, annualcreditreport.com, is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit report you are entitled to under federal law. Other Web sites that claim to offer "free credit reports," "free credit scores" or "free credit monitoring" are not part of the legally mandated free annual credit report program.

Some frequently asked questions:

·How do I order my free report? The three consumer reporting companies set up a central Web site, a toll-free number, and a mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, visit annualcreditreport.com; call 1-877-322-8228; or complete the request form (available on the Web site) and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA, 30348-5281. You can order reports from each of the three companies at the same time or separately within any 12-month period.
·What information do I need to provide to get my free report? You will need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. If you have moved within the last two years, you may have to provide your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each consumer reporting company may ask you for some information that only you would know.
·Why do I want a copy of my credit report? Your credit report has information that affects whether you can get a loan -- and how much you will have to pay to borrow money. You should also obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure that the information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date before you apply for a loan for a major purchase like a house or car; buy insurance; or apply for a job; and to protect yourself and help guard against identity theft. Inaccurate information could affect your ability to get credit, insurance, or even a job.

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