Free Credit Report

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act gives you free access annually to your credit report from three reporting agencies.  

To obtain a credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll-free 877-322-8228. Your credit report is free. The three credit reporting agencies are: 

Stagger your request among the credit reporting agencies over the year and check these key areas when you receive it.

Timeliness: Does it show late payments when you always pay on time? Could be an error that needs to be corrected…or an identity theft.

Accounts: Are all the accounts yours? Thieves using stolen information could open new accounts.

Dormant Accounts: Are there accounts you don’t use? Close them. Thieves prefer existing accounts rather than newly-opened ones. 

If you think you’re a victim of identity theft, contact your bank and credit card issuer immediately and cancel the affected cards. The FACT Act gives you specific rights:

• Ask your credit card agencies to place “fraud alerts” on your file, alerting lenders that an applicant for credit may be an identity thief. 

• Request free documents specific to fraudulent transactions or on accounts opened using your personal information

• You have the right to obtain information from a debt collector. You can request a consumer reporting agency to block information in your personal file if you feel it resulted in identity theft. 

If you’re vigilant in monitoring your credit history, you can minimize your financial damages and credit standing and possibly help law enforcement agencies apprehend these criminals.

For more tips visit our TEAM – Security Education center.