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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 www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228; or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it:
Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box 105281 Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
The form is available online where you can print it out and mail it in: If title=www.ftc.gov/credit. If>www.ftc.gov
To buy a copy of your report, contact:
Equifax 800-685-1111 Experian title=www.equifax.com Experian>www.equifax.com Trans title=www.experian.com Trans>www.experian.com There title=www.transunion.com There>www.transunion.com
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.
Matthew Keegan — The Article Writer — writes on a variety of business, financial, and personal interest topics. You can view additional samples of his work at title=http://www.thearticlewriter.com >www.thearticlewriter.com
Article Source: EzineArticles.com