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Free Credit Reports
"Free Credit Report" offers -
Are they really free?
Many offers come with some strings attached
There are plenty of "Free Credit Report" offers on the Internet
these days, and you wonder why. You are probably asking yourself, "Isn't
there any catch to this offer?" The answer is YES.
You should be aware that most "Free Credit Report" offers come
with a price; it usually means "Free" with the purchase of something
else. Or, it might mean free during a Credit Monitoring trial period.
Which ever the case may be, these "Free" options can sometimes
end up costing you $50 plus if you are not careful.
The "Free" aspect of this offer is that you have the option
of canceling your subscription over a specified trial period for a full
refund. You should, however, cancel the subscription before it is billed
to your credit card--usually 30 days from the purchase date.
Make sure your read the fine print: find any information that explains
why the report is free. Read the service agreement before placing your
order: all companies should list a service agreement that you must accept
prior to submitting your order, and there is often times valuable information
that you should know.
How to get a no-strings-attached FREE credit report
Credit bureaus are bound by the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide
you with a free credit report if you meet these specific requirements:
- You have been denied credit, insurance, or employment within the past
sixty (60) days as a result of
your credit report. (It is the responsibility of the company that denied
you credit or employment to indicate which credit reporting company
was used, and the phone number and address for getting the free report.
Free reports may not available over the Internet.)
- You can certify in writing that you are unemployed and intend to apply
for employment in the 60-day period beginning on the date in which you
made the certification.
- You are a recipient of public welfare assistance or have reason to
believe that your file at the agency contains inaccurate information
due to fraud.
- As a resident of certain states you have a right to a free copy of
your credit report:
If you are a resident of Colorado, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey,
or Vermont, you may receive one free copy of your credit report each
year from the each of the credit bureaus. If you are a resident of Georgia,
you may receive two free copies of your credit report each year from
the credit bureaus.
If you meet the above conditions, you can order a Free copy of your Credit
Report by contacting them by mail or phone:
- Experian
Mail: P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013
Phone: (888) Experian (888-397-3742)
- Equifax
Mail: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
Phone (800) 685-1111
- TransUnion
Mail: 2 Baldwin Place, PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
Phone: (800) 888-4213
When you call for a free report, be sure to have the following information
about yourself ready...
- First, middle and last name (including Jr., Sr., III)
- Current address
- Previous addresses in the past two years, if any
- Social Security Number
- Date of birth
- Current employer
- Phone number
Online Credit Reports
What to do if you do not meet the above requirements? There are a variety
of inexpensive online Credit Report Services that you can choose from.
Here are some of the benefits that you will receive:
- Online access at the time of purchase
- Your credit score is also available online
- Overall better service and experience.
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