Your credit report contains a great deal of personal information. It includes where you live and how you pay your bills as well as whether you‘ve ever been sued, arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy.
There are three nationwide credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate such things as applications for credit, insurance, and employment. Note that employers may not access your credit information without your written consent.
A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that each of the three credit reporting companies provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every twelve months. That means you can get three copies of the report each year—one from each of the credit-reporting companies.
The three credit reporting companies have set up a central location for obtaining credit reports. It is no longer necessary to contact the three companies directly; the Annual Credit Report Request Service can provide any or all of them. You can contact them at:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
877-322-8228
www.annualcreditreport.com
Carefully checking your credit report at regular intervals—or if something makes you suspicious—is one of the best ways to avoid identity theft. Look for these things when reviewing your credit report:
- Check accuracy of all information, including your Social Security number and past addresses.
- Check to make sure you are aware of all accounts listed and that balances match your records.
- Look for any suspicious activity, including inquiries about credit cards, loans, or leases for which you did not apply.
- Check the section listing people or institutions that have requested your credit history. Thieves may pose as landlords or employers to obtain credit information.
If you notice any incorrect or suspicious information, contact the reporting credit company immediately. Follow up with a letter describing the errors, and ask to be notified in writing when the problem is resolved or remediated. If the errors indicate illegal activity, use the information outlined in the What to Do If Your Identity Is Stolen section of this article as a guide to what to do.
