2005 Year in Review

Best Bet for Ordering Free Credit Reports!

It turns out that ordering your free credit report on-line might not be the best thing to do after all. The central service web site – Annual Credit Report - that was set up to handle the multitude of requests has had some problems.

Some 98 imposter web sites have been discovered. So, consumer groups now encourage people to use the phone or send their request by mail.

The toll-free phone number for the central service is 877-322-8228. Or, consumers can visit the central service web site, download a request form, and then mail the request to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281 Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Consumers are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These individual credit reporting agencies do not accept requests for the annual free credit reports, but they will direct you to the central service that provides the reports.

Rather than requesting all three reports at the same time, order a free credit report from one of the credit bureaus; then three months later, order from a second bureau; and three months after that, order one from the third bureau. That way, you will be able to monitor your report throughout the year. Reviewing your reports at regular intervals during the year can alert you to potential problems and help prevent identity theft.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
April 19, 2005