How to obtain a copy of your credit-report

Did you know that in fact you don't just have one credit-report but three? Creditors voluntarily supply information to the credit reporting agencies because they need to have accurate and up to date information to help them decide whether or not to lend you money, and at what rate.

In the US, there are three main credit reporting agencies. You can contact them to obtain a copy of your report. It is important to check Each of your reports, as each agency may have slightly different infomation on you, and your credit score may also vary at each agency.

You should check your credit report at least once a year, and at least six months before a major purchase. It is also important to check to insure for accuracy and to help prevent fraud. Click here for more information on Identity Theft.
You can contact the three main credit reporting agencies at:

Equifax: (800) 685-1111 Experian: (888) 397-3742 TransUnion: (800) 888-4213
It is important to note that the credit bureaus themselves do not grant or deny credit - only the credit or loan companies do that based on varying criteria that they set. But they do use the information in your credit file, along with your score, to decide whather to lend you money, and at what rate.
How to obtain a free copy of your credit report
If you are denied credit, employment or insurance, then you are entitiled to receive a free copy of your credit-report within 60 days of the denial. The lender has to inform you which credit bureau they used, and you can then contact them for a copy of your report.The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting company. You are also entitled to one free report a year if you’re unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; if you’re on welfare; or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft. Otherwise, a consumer reporting company may charge you up to $9.50 for another copy of your report within a 12-month period.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, at www.ftc.gov/credit, a recent up-date to the Fair Credit Reporting Act will allow consumers to order one free copy of their credit report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies every 12 months.You will be able to order your reports from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies at the same time, or you can order from only one or two.

The free reports will be phased in during a nine-month period, rolling from the West Coast to the East beginning December 1, 2004. Beginning September 1, 2005, free reports will be accessible to all Americans, regardless of where they live.

Consumers in the Western states — Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming — can order their free reports beginning December 1, 2004.

Consumers in the Midwestern states — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin — can order their free reports beginning March 1, 2005.

Consumers in the Southern states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas — can order their free reports beginning June 1, 2005.

Consumers in the Eastern states — Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia — the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and all U.S. territories can order their free reports beginning September 1, 2005.

The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, click on www.annualcreditreport.com, call 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. For a free report, do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are only providing free annual credit reports through 877-322-8228 or by linking from the FTC site at ftc.gov