Free credit
reports and the credit reporting agencies
Consumer-friendly laws allow everyone to
receive one free credit report from each agency every 12 months. Instead of going
to each of the bureaus, consumers can get all three from one centralized source.
Experts recommend staggering the requests every four months to keep a lookout
for suspicious activity or errors. For example, request a report from Experian
in January, then get a report from TransUnion in May and follow up in September
with a report from Equifax -- then start again in January.
Complete
the form on the back of the Annual
Credit Report Request brochure. Mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service,
P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA, 30348-5281.
Credit reporting agencies
•
TransUnion
LLC
800-888-4213
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022
•
Equifax
800-685-1111
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
•
Experian
888-397-3742
National Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
