Did you know that you are entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three consumer reporting companies? 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 twelve months. The FRCA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation's consumer reporting companies.
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.
Protect your credit and fight identity theft by monitoring your credit report. You may obtain your free credit report from the three nationwide consumer reporting companies by:
- Going to www.annualcreditreport.com and following the instructions;
- Calling 1-877-322-8228; or by
- Mailing a completed Annual Credit Report Request Form to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
You can download this form from www.annualcreditreport.com or from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also call the FTC's Consumer Response Center at 1-877-382-4357 to request the form.
Additional information on your free annual credit report is available from the FTC at Your Access to Free Credit Reports and Want a Free Annual Credit Report.