3 Free Credit Reports For You
If you were to tell someone that they can have a certain item for free, more
than likely their response would be, “what’s the catch?” In the case of credit
reports there is no catch, you can now get a free copy of this report through
the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnions, and Experian. Let’s
take a look at the law and how you can benefit from it.
An amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires the
three national credit reporting agencies to provide one free copy of your credit
report to you annually. Beginning on December 1, 2004 and culminating on
September 1, 2005, the Federal Trade Commission is requiring that these
agencies offer reports on a rolling, phase in basis. In other words, on December
1, 2004, if you live in certain western states you became eligible at that time
and every three months later additional states were added. By September 1,
2005, residents of all states are eligible.
Fortunately for consumers, you need not contact the three reporting agencies
separately to obtain your free credit report. You can order right online at
http://www.depotkantor.com/cr.htm
If you need copies more often, you can contact the three reporting agencies
and request copies. You will pay for this service.
<b>To buy a copy of your report, contact:
Equifax</b><br>
800-685-1111<br>

www.equifax.com
<b>Experian</b><br>
888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)<br>
www.experian.com
<b>Trans Union</b><br>
800-916-8800<br>
www.transunion.com
There are also private companies who will obtain all three copies of your credit
report for you as well. There is a fee involved, but you may find their services
to be less of a hassle than contacting the three companies separately.
So, how can you benefit from the law? By ordering copies of your reports from
the companies on a four month rotating basis. Most consumers will find this
plan to be sufficient and it will allow for you to compare/contrast the reports
of each agency. Of course, if you already suspect fraud you will want to order
all three reports at once and notify each agency to place a "fraud alert" in your
credit file.
All in all, the new law is a big win for consumers. Take advantage of this
"windfall" as soon as you become eligible to do so.