Getting a Free Credit Report

Did you know that you can now or in the near future obtain a free credit report? Its true. Thanks to changes to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers now have the right to a free credit report once a year from all three major credit reporting bureaus. You may also obtain your credit scores for an additional fee. Depending on what part of the country you live in you can obtain your credit report from all three major bureaus. There are three ways to get a free credit report, by telephone, mail and Internet.

By Mail:
1) Download and print out the request form.
2) mail it to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

By Phone:
To request by phone, call 1-877-322-8228.

By Internet,
Visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com.

In addition to the free annual credit report, there were other changes to the FCRA. Such as:

• Consumers may place fraud alerts in their credit reports to prevent identity thieves from using their names to open fraudulent accounts.
• Consumers may block data from being given to or reported by a credit bureau if that data is a result of identity theft.
• It requires credit bureaus to share consumer calls on identity theft, including fraud alert requests (the "one-call-for-all" provision).
• It requires lenders to notify consumers before submitting negative credit information.
• It restricts third-party access to consumers' sensitive health data.
• It prohibits merchants from printing more than the last five digits of a payment card on an electronic receipt.

To talk to a trained Certified Consumer Interviewer about what is on your credit report call us at 877-Wise-Plan (877.947.3752). Or to find out about our Credit Correction Service by clicking here.

This service not available to residents of the State of Maryland.