| Credit Reports |
Your credit report can affect more areas of your life than just your ability to get a loan or credit card. Businesses can use the information contained in your credit report to evaluate your application for credit, insurance or employment. Credit reports can contain information on your employment, your residence and your bill payment habits. Also, they may show whether you have had a civil judgment filed or may have filed for bankruptcy. Maintaining a good credit history is important and requires just a little bit of work.
The first step to maintaining a good credit history is to review your credit report regularly for inaccuracies or omissions. As of September 1, 2005, consumers will be able to obtain an annual free credit report online by accessing http://www.annualcreditreport.com. You can order one free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies per year. You can order your free reports at the same time, or stagger your requests over the course of the year. (Please note to obtain your reports for free you must use the www.annualcreditreport.com link or you may be assessed a fee.)
You might like to order additional reports throughout the year and you may order them by clicking on one of the credit reporting agencies’ links listed below. Credit scores or credit monitoring services are also available. (Applicable charges will apply by ordering through one of the links listed below:
Equifax
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
1-800-997-2493
Experian
P.O. Box 9600
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742
Trans Union
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
1-800-888-4213
Applicable charges will apply. For more information on credit reports, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 202-FTC-HELP (202-382-4357).
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