Here’s the official word from the FTC:
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumer reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies.
If you ever wonder whether or not you should bother obtaining your free reports – you should. Your credit score is your financial lifeline. Guard it zealously. Erroneous entries can and do happen frequently and, unless you monitor your credit at least once a year, you could find yourself turned down for a car or house loan. It’s not unheard of for landlords to check the credit of prospective tenants either. As a public service, Jason Hartman provides contact information for the Big Three national reporting agencies below.
EQUIFAX INFORMATION SERVICES
www.equifax.com
PO BOX 740241
ATLANTA, GA 30374−0241
800−685−1111
EXPERIAN
www.experian.com
701 EXPERIAN PARKWAY
ALLEN, TX 75013
888−397−3742
TRANSUNION CONSUMER RELATIONS
www.transunion.com/myoptions
2 BALDWIN PLACE
75013 P.O. BOX 1000
CHESTER, PA 19022
800−888−4213
Jason Hartman reminds you to put this information into your phone or scribble it on a piece of paper and keep it in your wallet or purse. This is important stuff. Always know your score! (Top image: Flickr | 401(K) 2013)
The Solomon Success Team
