Free Annual Credit Report
The amended Fair Credit Reporting Act permits consumers to request a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (i.e., Equifax, Experian, Trans Union).
You can order your free credit reports from Annual Credit Report.com:
- On the Internet: annualcreditreport.com
- On the phone: call (877)-322-8228
To learn more about your free annual credit report and ways to receive it, the Federal Trade Commission has written Free Credit Reports.
Credit Reporting Agencies
If you think you have been a victim of identity theft you can contact the three major credit reporting agencies listed below:
Equifax (www.equifax.com)
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
1-888-685-1111
Experian (www.experian.com)
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013-9554
1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Trans Union (www.transunion.com)
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
1-888-909-8872
There are a variety of local credit reporting agencies as well. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has published a full List of Consumer Reporting Companies.
The following information is courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission. Learn more about the Federal Trade Commission by visiting their website at Federal Trade Commission.gov
Credit Scores
To find out about your credit score – what it is and how it affects you, and how you can improve it visit:
- Credit Scores (Federal Trade Commission)
Fixing Credit Reports
If your credit report contains inaccurate information, or the report shows accounts that you never applied for, how do I have this information removed? For information, see:
- Credit repair: Fixing mistakes on your credit report (Federal Trade Commission)
Bankruptcy and Negative Information
A consumer reporting company can report most accurate negative information for seven years and bankruptcy information for ten years. For more information see:
- Free Credit Reports (Federal Trade Commission)
Credit Reports and Divorce
If you had a joint account with your spouse, you are both responsible for the debt even if you are divorced. For more detailed information see:
- Divorce and Credit
- Co-signing a Loan (Federal Trade Commission)