How to Get That FREE Credit Report
We're all mature people that know there's "NO FREE LUNCH" out there, right? Yet Web sites touting Free Credit Reports suck people in on a daily basis. These folks get maneuvered into signing up for services they don't want and see monthly charges on their credit cards. Rather than going into detail about these scams, this page will offer what IS available, and IT IS free!By federal law, everyone is entitled to one free credit report once a year from eath of the three major credit reporting bureaus. This fact may be how people get tricked by the Web scammers.
Here's how to get your free credit report while avoiding the scammers and others who may not provide the "official" channels: Go to the official site www.AnnualCreditReport.com, or call 877-322-8228.
The three credit reporting bureaus are: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can order all three at once, or it is recommended that you space each of the reports by four months so that you get a snapshot of your credit throughout the year.
To contact the three major credit reporting bureaus for a fraud alert, security freeze or extra copies of your credit report, go to www.equifax.com, 800-685-1111; www.experian.com, 888-397-3742; and www.transunion.com, 800-916-8800.
You are entitled to an additional free credit report if you are denied employment, insurance, or a loan due to information contained in your credit report. You must make the request within 60 days of being notified that you were denied. Also, those on welfare or who are victims of fraud, such as identity theft, also are entitled to a free credit report.