Credit Reports and Identity Theft
To receive or read more about Identity Theft, go to the following website for additional information: www.ftc.gov/idtheft
What is a Credit Report?
A credit report summarizes creditors’ experiences with a consumer. Information from the file can be obtained by prospective creditors to help them determine whether someone is a good credit risk. A credit report contains information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment or renting a home or apartment.
Credit reports are created by credit reporting agencies, which are also known as credit bureaus. There are three nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.
Last March, Wisconsinites were able, due to an amendment to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act,to receive a one free annual credit report from the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. This amendment to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide consumers with a free copy of their individual credit report, at the consumers request, once every 12 months. The Fair Credit Reporting Act promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumers reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the nations’ consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to consumer reporting companies.
To order your Free Credit Report from the three nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union, please read the following information.
How does one order their free credit report?
The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website, toll-free telephone number and mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, click on www.annualcreditreport.com, call 877-322-8228 or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA, 30348-5281. The form can be printed from the Federal Trade Commissions website which is: www.ftc.gov/credit. Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are only providing free annual reports through the www.annualcreditreport.com site, toll free number or address mentioned above.
You may order your reports from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies at the same time, or you can order from only one or two. The law allows you to order one free copy from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies every 12 months.
Source: Your Access to Free Credit Reports: FTC Facts for Consumers, November 2004
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