jameslee
03-28-2002, 05:15 PM
Recently unemployed? There's good news: You can get a free peak at your credit report and related credit score, straight from the source (and online if you can prove your identity)!
Warning: There are sites like ConsumerInfo.com which promise a free credit report if you sign up for a trial of their expensive 'service', but upon reading online reviews (epinions.com) of the popular sites i discovered that most people either 1.) never got their free credit report or 2.) were charged for the free trial period for one reason or another. Either way, more than three forths of the reviewers at epinions.com felt the company was a scam. For instance, ConsumerInfo.com promises the ability to view your crdit report online if you sign up for a free 30 day trial, but only after completing the registration do they mention that the online access code has to be mailed to your address on record to confirm your identity. Most users reported either never getting the codes, or by the time the codes arrived, they had to race to use it and cancel the free trial. Not cool.
You credit information is maintained by three major agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Typically, you can order your credit report from each company for a small fee, usually less than $10. Apparently, there's no fee if you live in any of the following states:
. Colorado
. Georgia
. Maryland
. Massachusetts
. New Jersey
. Vermont
But according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), under certain circumstances you're also entitled to free disclosure of your file:
. If you have been the subject of adverse action, such as denial of credit or insurance, within the past 60 days
. If you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment within 60 days
. If you believe your consumer file contains inaccurate information due to fraud, or
. If you are receiving public welfare assistance
I searched through each of the websites for instrcutions on how to obtain a free credit report given any of the above circumstances and found that Equifax and Experian only provide the free report via mail. I'd also like to add that it was almost impossible to find this information on Experian's site, and i was only able to locate it after clicking on several different 'small type' hyperlinks. The good news is: TransUnion allows you to receive the free credit report either online or via mail!
First, you should note that in order to identify yourself you'll have to supply the standard credit identification information: name, current address, previous address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Second, in order to prove your identity online, you'll have to supply:
. One of your credit card numbers and credit limit, if you have a credit card (used to confirm your identity, not for payment) or
. A mortgage account number, if you have a mortgage or
. An installment loan account number (e.g. Student, Auto, Personal), if you have an installment loan
If you are not able to provide one of the above, you can still receive a free copy of you credit report, but the file will have to be sent to the address listed in your credit report. With that said, if you have the chance, take a look. It's interesting to look at yourself the way most banks do.
James
Warning: There are sites like ConsumerInfo.com which promise a free credit report if you sign up for a trial of their expensive 'service', but upon reading online reviews (epinions.com) of the popular sites i discovered that most people either 1.) never got their free credit report or 2.) were charged for the free trial period for one reason or another. Either way, more than three forths of the reviewers at epinions.com felt the company was a scam. For instance, ConsumerInfo.com promises the ability to view your crdit report online if you sign up for a free 30 day trial, but only after completing the registration do they mention that the online access code has to be mailed to your address on record to confirm your identity. Most users reported either never getting the codes, or by the time the codes arrived, they had to race to use it and cancel the free trial. Not cool.
You credit information is maintained by three major agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Typically, you can order your credit report from each company for a small fee, usually less than $10. Apparently, there's no fee if you live in any of the following states:
. Colorado
. Georgia
. Maryland
. Massachusetts
. New Jersey
. Vermont
But according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), under certain circumstances you're also entitled to free disclosure of your file:
. If you have been the subject of adverse action, such as denial of credit or insurance, within the past 60 days
. If you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment within 60 days
. If you believe your consumer file contains inaccurate information due to fraud, or
. If you are receiving public welfare assistance
I searched through each of the websites for instrcutions on how to obtain a free credit report given any of the above circumstances and found that Equifax and Experian only provide the free report via mail. I'd also like to add that it was almost impossible to find this information on Experian's site, and i was only able to locate it after clicking on several different 'small type' hyperlinks. The good news is: TransUnion allows you to receive the free credit report either online or via mail!
First, you should note that in order to identify yourself you'll have to supply the standard credit identification information: name, current address, previous address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Second, in order to prove your identity online, you'll have to supply:
. One of your credit card numbers and credit limit, if you have a credit card (used to confirm your identity, not for payment) or
. A mortgage account number, if you have a mortgage or
. An installment loan account number (e.g. Student, Auto, Personal), if you have an installment loan
If you are not able to provide one of the above, you can still receive a free copy of you credit report, but the file will have to be sent to the address listed in your credit report. With that said, if you have the chance, take a look. It's interesting to look at yourself the way most banks do.
James