 Do you know your rights when it comes to your credit report?
Credit bureaus are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, and must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This federal law guarantees you specific rights:
The right to access your reports. If you have been denied credit, a loan, insurance, or employment because of information on your credit report, the company that turned you down is required to inform you of that reason, and provide the name of the bureau they used. You are also entitled to a free copy of your credit report within 60 days of being turned down.
Obtaining a FREE copy of your credit report:
The three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax  ) have established one central website, telephone number and mailing address to use for ordering your free report. The credit bureaus will only provide free credit reports annually through this central location, and not through their individual websites, telephone numbers or addresses. If you request the report online, you will be able to view it immediately. Requests via telephone or mail will take approximately 15 days for processing.
Web: www.annualcreditreport.com
Phone: 877-322-8228
Mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
You may also receive a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus at any time if you are unemployed, on public assistance, or if your report is inaccurate due to fraud.
Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
888-397-3742
www.experian.com
TransUnion
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, PA 19064-0390
800-916-8800
www.transunion.com
Equifax
P.O. Box 105783
Atlanta, GA 30348
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com
FACT Act Facts:
The Fair and Accurate Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act) is an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the law that regulates credit reporting agencies). It is an important tool in the fight against identity theft.
Key consumer-related facts about the FACT Act
- Consumers may receive a free copy of their credit report once a year
- Consumers may receive additional free reports if identity theft is suspected
- Identity theft victims only have to make one call to receive advice, set off a nationwide fraud alert, and protect their credit rating
- Identity theft victims who file police reports can block fraudulent information from appearing on their credit reports
- Identity theft victims have access to business records that list an identity thief's fraudulent transactions
- Credit reporting agencies must ensure that all credit requests are legitimate after a credit report has been flagged for suspected identity theft
- Active duty military personnel may place special alerts on their files when they are deployed overseas
- Only the last five credit card number digits can be listed on store receipts
- Lenders and credit agencies must take action even before an identity theft victim is aware of the crime
- Debt collectors must inform a creditor of fraudulent information
Credit report review
 Through our partnership with BALANCE, our members can have a free, confidential review of their credit report. A specialist with the BALANCE Financial Fitness Program will explain information on your credit report, show you how to correct inaccuracies and help you with a plan to improve your credit score. Contact BALANCE to learn more by calling 1-888-456-2227 or visiting their website.
Most families who have a credit report review with BALANCE will experience an average 36 point increase in their credit scores over the 6-12 months following the review. This can help our members qualify for more credit at better terms.
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