Readers have mixed results getting free reports -- Page 2

Dear Editors:
Texas does not get a free report yet. This is terribly unfair. Where the companies give a free report, the FICO score is not included but is available for $9.95.

If you PAY for the report -- say the three-in-one report -- and for the score, in an online format, you are supposed to be able to initiate an investigation or take action via the Internet. Unfortunately AGAIN for those of us in Texas, Equifax uses an affiliate named CSC Credit to administer the inquiries from my zip code. CSC Credit has a toll-free phone number that I received when I tried to manage my credit report online. The toll-free number gets you a recording that says to look at the Internet. The Internet page they send you to has literally hundreds of links. The "Credit Report" link asks you if you want a copy of your credit report, but makes nothing available to initiate a discussion/inquiry about a report you already have.

Service from the affiliate is bad. I have emailed Equifax with similar comments/complaints letting them know that their affiliate is falling short of service expectations.

Equifax itself was great with respect to issues regarding availability of the report online, etc. Technical support was great. The service related to the substance of the report is what I need now.
-- Teena Johnson

Hi Bankrate,
Was it an easy experience? NO.

None of the three credit report agencies have any easy way to locate links for the free credit report based on my State Law (Mass.). In fact only Experian provided a free credit report online after hours of searching. I mailed a signed form to TransUnion and called Equifax to get my credit report. Most of the information seemed OK except misspelled names and employer information which is at least four years old. They all seemed more interested in selling the credit score and various products rather than helping the customers.

Thank you for providing an opportunity to discuss this issue.
-- Paul Wallen

Hi Editors,
I ordered free credit reports about three months ago and it was very easy. Two of them were ordered over the phone and with Experian I had to write to them and it came very quickly. The reports were exactly like the ones I've ordered in the past and paid $8.50 for.

Editors,
My experience: I tried the Web site first and after completing the forms (I believe correctly) was told I had to call instead.

I tried the phone and after working through a blizzard of options and multiple steps -- and finally placed an order for all three credit reports. The credit report companies seemed to have my address wrong and gave me an opportunity to update my address.

I neglected to add a suite number (to my business address) and I was unable to figure out how to fix this later. I am now waiting for the reports.
-- Fritz Kunze

Dear Bankrate,
I'm located in California.

After connecting to www.annualcreditreport.com, I provided the requested information, and was taken to the screen where I could choose the reports I wanted. It was slightly confusing; I didn't realize I could check all three boxes to attempt to get reports from all three bureaus -- I thought I had to check one box at a time.

I first chose TransUnion and was asked questions to further identify myself. Besides confirming my name and address, I was asked to choose one of several categories of questions. The choices included present and past mailing addresses, employers, date of birth, current account numbers, and so forth. I answered the date of birth question successfully, and then chose mailing addresses to continue verification. Unfortunately, TransUnion doesn't have my current address on file, or the previous address, so I was not able to successfully complete that portion.

Because I tried various combinations for my address I exceeded the number of attempts and I was instructed to request a report by telephone.

I next tried Equifax. There, I was asked questions about recently opened or outstanding mortgage and installment loans and credit cards. The first question asked with which financial institution I'd applied for a mortgage in 2002 (I hadn't), and I chose "none of the above." The next question asked about the balance on an installment loan (I have none with a balance), so again, I chose "none of the above." The third one asked about the issuer of one of my credit cards, so I answered that, and then I was told that I'd answered all three questions correctly. I was able to view all the information at Equifax and print/save it.

I then tried Experian, where I had the least challenge for proving my identity. Again, I was able to view all the information and print/save it.

After I finished my online session, I called 877-322-8228 to request the TransUnion report. The system asked for my SSN, then used my calling number ID to look up my name and address, then asked me to say "yes" or "no" to verify as it stated my name and mailing address. I then was asked which reports I wanted, and I chose TransUnion. I received the report in the mail and then discovered the issue about the wrong street addresses.

Hi Editors:
I ordered my first credit report from Equifax yesterday. I ordered the credit score also ($6.95 fee). My credit card posted a temporary charge of the $6.95 fee, but there was also a $1.00 charge as well. The Equifax site said the fee for receiving the score alone was normally $7.95, but advertised it for the $1.00 less at that offering only, so I took the offer. I don't mind the charge for the extra dollar, BUT will I complain? Will Equifax make a few more million dollars? The advertised price and the charge anyway is just wrong. Who has enough time to deal with that nonsense?

I received my free credit report as requested and printed it out OK. The process was easy enough (thank you for that also). Now that I have this information from them, I see duplicate numbers. For example, the same mortgage loan amount for one valid mortgage with two different mortgage lender names. Do I call both mortgage lenders? Equifax?

There's a lot to learn to understand reading this report. I will do work on Equifax's report, and then order the other two.

Do I work with Equifax to determine which credit cards to close? For example, would I want to close a credit card that I don't use very often at all, but I've had since 1977? I will keep it open if my credit score will increase. I want to go from the high 700s to the highest possible 800s -- for the BENEFIT OF IT! Thanks for asking.
-- Roseann

Hi Bankrate,
Yes! It was a simple and speedy process -- all three reports in less than 10 minutes!!

But, you do NOT get your FICO scores, and all mortgage lenders require the FICO scores to categorize you into an approved loan package!

But the free reports were excellent, and contain info on how to start the process of removing or correcting errors.
-- M. K. Elliott, PhD
Mortgage Specialist

Dear Bankrate,
Easy to do and my credit score was only $5. I am satisfied!

Dear Bankrate,
Went through entire process online only to be told that my request could not be accommodated and that I would have to mail my request in.

A complete waste of time.
-- AM
Phoenix, Ariz.

Dear Bankrate,
Ordered online. Very fast and easy. Twenty seven pages long -- complete and accurate
-- Louie and Maureen Melchor