Credit reports are a "history" of how a person pays their bills. Credit grantors use them to make lending decisions. Landlords, potential employers and insurance companies also use them. Consumers should check their credit history every year to make sure the report is accurate. It also helps protect against identity theft. For instance, looking at the report, one sees if there are unknown credit cards listed.

By law, people can obtain one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide credit reporting companies. Their names are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Reports may be requested online at Annual Credit Report , by phone at 1-877-322-8228, or by mail. Phone and mail requests take 15 days. You will be asked for information to prove you are making the request and to protect your privacy. It includes:

• Full name with variations like maiden name, Junior, Senior or hyphenated married name
• Current address
• Address with zip code of where you've lived in the past 2 years
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number
• For security, they may ask for information only you would know, such as the amount of your monthly mortgage payment.

It's important that you start the request! Do not respond to or give personal information to an email or a pop-up ad or a phone call. People who claim they are calling from a credit reporting agency may be lying to collect personal information. This puts you at risk for fraud!

Are there other reasons why you may obtain a free report? Yes, if

• you apply for credit and are turned down, you may request a report within 60 days of the denial. Include a copy of the letter with the request,
• you are on public assistance,
• you are unemployed and looking for jobs within 60 days of losing a job, or if
• your report could be inaccurate due to fraud, like someone stealing your credit card.

Protect yourself. Get a copy of your report every year. Make sure the information is about you. If you see mistakes, ask how you can prove the information is wrong. Send the papers they request. Send this information to each of the three credit companies. The error may be in all their files.

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