How Do You Get Credit Reports?

Your credit information is compiled by three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These companies sell your credit report to banks and other creditors so they can review your credit history.

It's important that you look at your credit report from each of the three companies to make sure everything is correct – especially because your credit report may vary from one company to another. By law:

• You can get a free copy of your credit report from each credit reporting company every 12 months.
• You can get a free copy of your credit report every time you find a mistake and want to make sure it's been fixed.
• You can get a free copy of your credit report if you've been denied credit and in certain other situations, such as fraud.

To obtain your annual free credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call (877) 322-8228. You may also request your report by mail:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105283
Atlanta, GA 30348-5283

Be sure to have the following information handy when ordering your report:

• Your full name (including Jr., Sr., III, etc.)
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number
• Current and previous addresses for the past 5 years
• And, if you are married, your spouse's name

For more information about your rights regarding credit and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, visit the Federal Trade Commission Web site.