You
can pick up a free credit report by mail, by internet
or by phone directly from the three major credit bureaus:
Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. You must meet the
following criteria:
•
Residents of Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts,
New Jersey, and Vermont are entitled by state law
to one free credit report from a credit-reporting
agency per year. Residents of Georgia are entitled
to two (request credit report by mail).
•
If you are unemployed and intend to apply
for unemployment in the next 60 days.
•
If you are on public welfare assistance.
•
If you have reason to believe your file contains
inaccurate information due to fraud.
•
If you have been the subject of an adverse decision,
such as denial of credit, insurance or employment
within the past 60 days.
You should
obtain copies of your credit reports from each of
three major credit agencies: Experian, Equifax and
Trans Union at least two times per year.
To receive
your credit report via the mail you have to send a
check or money order for $9.00 directly to each of
the credit bureaus. The mailing address for each credit
bureau is listed below. If you would like to receive
your credit scores also the fee is $14.95.
If you do not
have a major credit card and you do not meet the criteria
to receive a free credit report from above then this
is the only way for you to obtain your credit reports.
To receive
your credit report via the Internet you would have
to visit each website individually. The website addresses
for each credit bureau is listed below. You will need
a major credit card if you do not meet the criteria
to receive a free credit report from above.
Some of the
credit bureaus will allow you to order your credit
report and FICO scores via the telephone. You will
need a major credit card if you do not meet the criteria
to receive a free credit report above. Contact each
credit bureau individually and follow the automated
prompts. |