3 circumstances make you eligible to obtain a free credit report:
1) If you have been denied credit or employment based on your credit report, you can obtain your credit report from the company where your creditor obtained your credit report free of charge if you request it within a 60 DAYS after receiving the denial letter. Thus, if you receive a credit denial letter saying that the company used Equifax to obtain your credit history, you can get a free copy of your credit report from Equifax if you request it within two months after your credit was denied.
Tip: Apply for one or two credit cards--any of those listed below will do: all of them have no annual fee so if you're approved---it's still free. Credit Bureaus have no way of knowing whether you have been approved or disapproved. All they know is that a credit card company requests your credit report. So after you apply for these credit cards--send a letter to credit bureaus requesting your credit history.
Unfortunately, none of the credit bureaus accept requests for free credit reports online. You will need either to call them or send them a letter requesting a free credit report.
2) If you write a letter certifying that you are either unemployed and plan to seek employment in the next sixty days, or you are a welfare recipient, or you believe you have been a victim of fraud, there will be no charge for your report.
3) If you live in Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey or Vermont, you are eligible for one free copy of your credit report each year. It must be ordered by phone or mail. Instructions for ordering from each of the three companies are below:
What you will need to make your request
All request for credit reports REQUIRE the following information. If even one of the following is missing, the credit bureaus will not give you a free credit report.
- Full name (including Jr., Sr., II)
- Social security number
- Copy of your utility or some other bill
- Copy of your driver licence
- Current and previous addresses within the last 5 years
- Date of birth
- Your current employer (if employed)
- Signature
- Telephone number (home)
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Equifax P. O. Box 105496, Atlanta, GA 30348-5496 phone: 800-997-2493 In your letter, Include all information listed above |
Experian National Consumer Assistance Center P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013-2104 phone: 1 888-EXPERIAN In your letter, Include all information listed listed previously. |
Trans
Union Consumer Disclosure Center P.O. Box 1000 Chester, PA 19022 phone: 1-800-888-4213 |