Readers have mixed results getting free reports

When the free credit report program -- mandated by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act -- began rolling out in the West in December 2004, Bankrate invited readers to let us know how they fared when they requested the reports.

Here's a sampling of our many responses:

Hi Bankrate,
I have ordered my credit reports and it was easy and very informative. It awakened me to things I had forgotten or put in the back of my mind. It is really good just like all of your reports.

I thank you and always will read your reports.
-- Walter L. Adkins

Dear Bankrate,
I just finished checking my father's credit report (with his approval obviously) through the new free credit report deal. It was great. This is definitely a great opportunity that every American should take, especially when it really is free (hard to believe, but it is true). I thank Bankrate.com for always being there when I have questions about anything to do with finance. You guys really are awesome. If it were not for Bankrate, I probably would spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to get a free credit report. I plan to check my mother's and mine also.
-- Ricardo Esparza

Dear Bankrate,
It was very easy, and because I live in Oregon, I was able to be one of the first to do it. I had no real problems getting my scores either, other than having to pay for them (the three-digit FICO scores). I knew I should have excellent scoring and I did!!! Woo-Hoo!

Hey Bankrate,
Ordered my credit reports. Received them promptly. Thanks for all the advice. Love your site. I'm on my way to financial freedom with your help. Keep up the great advice.
-- Jeff Robinson

Dear Editors,
I have had absolutely no luck in trying to get my credit report. The instructions are very confusing.
-- Phyllis Harrison

Dear Bankrate,
Equifax had to mail in form to get copy of report. TransUnion would not let me enter. Experian was good and furnished a copy of report. The other two were hard to enter and just stalled. Very poor.

I tried to order but they want a credit card for a trial subscription. Free? They don't need my credit card number for any trial subscriptions as far as I am concerned. Just send the free credit report, period. Need I say more?

Re: Equifax credit report on Nov. 20, 2004. Ordered online but could not get it. I gave my pet's name but it didn't work -- probably a problem with them. I sent them a letter -- no response. I called on Dec. 28, 2004. I gave them all the info they wanted, but pet's name didn't agree. I KNOW MY PET'S NAME! They refused to mail me a report. They didn't care if I tried to cancel my credit card charge. Very poor customer service.
-- anonymous

Hi Bankrate Editors,
Procedure was very simple and fast!! I was able to obtain all three reports in minutes and print them out for reference.

It also has info on how to request corrections or other changes by each agency.

I was unable to order my credit reports online. When I chose Experian from the list at least three times, it never transferred to their Web site. Equifax took my information, verified my identity then said, "There has been an error. Try back later." TransUnion said, "Due to security reasons, we cannot give you your credit report online. Please order it over the phone or by mail." Very frustrated and feeling defeated, I finally ordered one over the phone.

I am not impressed with annualcreditreport.com

Hi,
I just tried the site www.annualcreditreport.com. I specified a state (California) from the menu, and clicked on 'Go.' I got the following message:

"Cookies are needed to continue processing your request. Please make sure cookies are enabled on your browser. For instruction on how to enable cookies, click here."

I check the Privacy setting of my browser and it is already set to medium (cookies allowed). So I don't know why it wouldn't allow me to continue.
-- Neil Fazel

Hi Bankrate:
It was easy. Just a phone call and they came.

Wish we didn't have to pay for our FICO score. That should be included, too.
-- Bev

Editors:
NO! Went to TransUnion. They want $29.95 for THREE-IN-ONE only.

Additional score report $9.95. Nothing mentioned about any FREE REPORT!?
-- Jack Evans