An amendment to the FCRA requires each of the nationwide Credit Bureaus-Equifax, Experian (formerly TRW), and TransUnion-to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.
Order Your Free Credit Report
The three Credit Bureaus have set up one website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free annual credit report. To order visit,
Or call: 877-322-8228,
Or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service,
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
Do not contact the three nationwide consumer-reporting companies individually. They are providing free annual credit reports only through
877-322-8228,
And
Annual Credit Report Request Service,
P.O. Box 105281,
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
You may order your reports from each of the three Credit Bureaus at the same time, or you can order from only one or two. The law allows you to order one free copy from each of the Credit Bureaus every 12 months.
You need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may have to provide your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each Credit Bureau may ask you for some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment, your previous address, your previous employment. Each Credit Bureau will ask you for different information because the information each has in your file may come from different sources.
Other situations where you might be eligible for a free report
Under federal law, you’re also entitled to a free report if a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit card, insurance, or employment, based on information in your credit report. You must ask for your credit report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the Credit Bureau.
You’re also entitled to one free report a year if you’re unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; if you’re on welfare; or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft.
Otherwise, a Credit Bureau will charge you up to $9.50 for another copy of your report within a 12-month period. To buy a copy of your report, contact:
Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
1-(800) 685-1111
www.equifax.com
Experian (Formerly TRW)
P.O. Box 949
Allen, TX 75013-0949
1-(888) 397-3742
www.experian.com
Trans Union
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, PA 19064-0390
1-(800) 916-8800
www.transunion.com
Under state law, consumers in Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont already have free access to their credit reports.
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