How and where to get the credit report from?
Your Free Credit Report
Now we will talk about how you can access your free credit report. Yes, that's right Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) demands each of the consumer reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to provide with a free credit report. You can request for your free credit report once a year.
What does it have?
This report consists of information about your residence, methods through which you pay your bills, whether you ever have been sued or arrested or if you have ever filed for bankruptcy.
Who needs it?
This information is important for a number of people such as creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.
How can you get it?
Now let's talk about how you can order your free report. That's easy. Each of the credit reporting agencies have official websites
(
annualcreditreport.com), a toll-free telephone number (1-877-322-8228) as well as postal mailing address. You can contact these agencies through any of these methods to get your free annual credit report. You can order your report from any or all of these agencies as per your requirements.
Beware of the hoaxes!
You must be wary of websites offering you free credit reports. Only one of the websites: annualcreditreport.com is the official online portal for ordering your very own credit report. Many of the websites trick by offering free reports with hidden charges that are deducted from your accounts after subscription. If you come across any such website, report it to FTC by sending out an email on the following address:
spam@uce.gov
Information you need to give:
In order to get your free report, you need to provide with the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- In case you have moved in the last two years, you may have to provide your previous address.
- To maintain the security of your file, each nationwide consumer reporting company may ask you for some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. Each company may ask you for different information because the information each has in your file may come from different sources.
Why do you need your credit report?
Ordering a copy of your credit report is important as it informs you of your credit situation. Apart from that, if you come across any inaccuracy you can instantly report it and get it fixed. This helps you from any problems that you may face in the future because of the errors in the report.
How long does it take?
The time it takes for your credit report to reach you varies. If you have requested your report via annualcreditreport.com, you get instant access to your report. If you have ordered through the toll-free number, this can take up to 15 days. If snail mail is your method of requesting for the report, it can take up around 15 days for the report to come to your doorstep.
Buy your credit report
To buy a copy of your report, contact:
Under state law, consumers in Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont already have free access to their credit reports.
