Free Annual Credit Reports Now Available
to Every American
The new law allows Americans to get one free credit report a year from each
of the three major credit reporting agencies. Under the Fair
and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, the three companies —
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — must provide an annual copy of their
credit reports on each consumer upon request.
When Congress passed the law, it delegated the task of deciding how to do so
to the Federal Trade Commission. That agency decided to roll out the requirement
in a phased sequence to assure a smooth transition.
When are Free Annual Credit Reports available in my State?
Free annual credit reports are being phased in during a nine-month period,
rolling from states in the West to the states in the East. Beginning September
1, 2005, free reports will be accessible to all Americans, regardless of where
they live. Eligibility for an annual free credit report is determined by your
state of residence. Look below to see when a free credit report becomes available
in your state.
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Western states - free reports beginning December 1, 2004
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,
New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming |
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Midwestern states - free reports beginning
March 1, 2005.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
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Southern states - free reports beginning June 1, 2005
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
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Eastern states - free reports beginning
September 1, 2005
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia B District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and all
U.S. territories. |
How to order
Monitoring and periodically reviewing your credit report is an effective tool
in fighting identity theft. To order your free annual report from one or all
the national consumer reporting companies, visit www.annualcreditreport.com,
call toll-free 877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form
and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta,
GA 30348-5281.
For more info, go to How
to Get Your Free Credit Report page.
NOTE: Consumers should be careful
not to confuse the official site with any of the many others advertising “free
credit reports.” While most of these sites will send you one credit report
at no charge, they typically require that you sign on for some credit protection,
credit monitoring or other service for an annual fee.
Credit Score
Unfortunately free credit reports do not include your credit score. The information
in your credit report is used to calculate your credit score-a number, generally
between 300-850 that rates how risky a borrower you are. The higher your score,
the less risk you pose to creditors. Your FICO score is available from www.myfico.com
for a fee.
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