New Law Provides Free Annual Credit Report

As of Thursday, December 1, 2004, one-third of Americans will be able to access their credit reports from all three main agencies for free. Passed in late 2003, the Fair & Accurate Credit Transactions Act creates a central source consumers can use to obtain a free annual credit report.

Equifax, Experian, and Transunion,the three largest credit reporting agencies, have set up a special site where consumers can request, view, and print their free report. That site is http://www.annualcreditreport.com and is the only authorized site to request your free report(s).

Those without internet access can call toll-free at 877-322-8228 or write to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 to request their report(s). This service, which begins in the west coast, will eventually cover all the states by September 2005.

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