The free annual credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies celebrates its first birthday this December and it has managed to survive despite its first year growing pains. When the federal law took effect last December millions of consumers converged to the website, telephoned or asked by mail for a copy of their credit reports. This in turn freezed the website due to the amount of applications kicking people off who then had to log back on to be told that they had already requested their one free report. The people who requested by mail or telephone were also disappointed as many of them never received them either.
In the meantime dozens of similar websites shot up to take advantage of peoples gullibility, tricking them into paying for services that they didn’t necessarily want, such as, credit monitoring. The whole purpose of the free credit report is to help people catch identity theft by someone taking credit out in their name.
The one sure way to receive your report is to go to the only official website for free credit reports www.annualcreditreport.com, here you will receive credit reports from all three agencies Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. If you need to phone: (877) 322-8228 or by mail: Annual Credit Report Request Services, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta GA 30348-5281
No matter how you apply for your credit report certain personal information will be asked for and online applicants will be asked additional identity verification such as previous address or place of employment.
No doubt after the seasonal shop-a-thon the credit reporting agencies will be busy again as we request our free annual reports but with the first year under its belt things should run smoothly with no major hiccups.
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