The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), that nations consumer protection agency, has recently published several new brochures on identity theft, child identity theft, telephone scams, and information about free credit reports. A copy of these brochures is available at FTC.GOV. Since the passing of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), each of the three leading credit-reporting companies have been required to provide consumers with an annual free copy of their credit report. The act seeks to promote accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nations credit reporting companies. There are three ways in which a consumer can receive a copy of their credit report from one of the nations big three. The three nationwide credit reporting companies have set up a central website, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address through which a consumer may get a free annual report. To order, visit annualcreditreport, call 1-877-322-8228, 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. The form can be retrieved at consumer.ftc.gov. There is no specific time of year that you have to request your report. You may order your reports from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies at the same time, or you can order your report from each of the companies one at a time. The law allows a consumer to order one free copy of their report from each of the nationwide credit reporting companies every 12 months. The FTC warns about Imposter websites. Only one website is authorized to fill orders for the three annual credit report youre entitled to under law. Some imposter sites use language like free credit reports. In some cases a free product comes with strings attached. In other cases, youre providing personal data to someone who may use it illicitly. The consumer should pay close attention to where he/she goes for this information. If additional credit reports need purchased, the following credit reporting companies can be reached by telephone: Equifax: 1-800-685-1111; Equifax Experian: 1-888-397-3742; Experian Transunion: 1-800-916-8800; Transunion If you conduct a credit report review and you find errors, follow the instructions of the particular credit bureau from which you sought the report.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:16:39 +0000
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