2005 Year in Review

Call, Don’t Click for Free Credit Reports!

It was supposed to be easy for the consumer! The plan was in place – people who wanted to get a free copy of their credit report could log onto a web site to order it. Consumers flocked to the web site Annual Credit Report. BUT so did the imposters!

Some 98 imposter web sites have been discovered. Now the same consumer groups that touted using the web site are reversing their recommendations and encouraging consumers to go back to the “old” methods of getting information. They suggest that you phone or send your request by mail.

Addresses and phone numbers for the three credit bureaus are:

Equifax
P.O. Box 105873
Atlanta, GA 30348
800-685-1111 or 800-997-2493

Experian
Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 2104
Allan, TX 75013-2104
800-682-7654 or 888-397-3742

Trans Union LLC
Consumer Disclosure Center
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
800-888-4213

Safeguard your personal information by following these tips:

- When requesting your free credit report, ask that only the last four digits of your Social Security number are displayed on the reports to be mailed to you.

- Have the report mailed to a secure mailbox.

- Order a free credit report every four months. Order one from each of the three credit bureaus. (You’re entitled to one free credit report from each of them once a year.) That way, you can regularly monitor activity on your credit reports and watch for fraudulent accounts and other suspicious activity.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
March 21, 2005