Get A Copy Of Your Credit Report
Errors in credit reports are often difficult and time-consuming to correct, even when they're not your fault. That's why it's wise to review your credit report every year as well as several months before you begin shopping for a house or a mortgage.

Your credit reports are maintained by three different companies, often called credit "repositories" or "bureaus," which collect and store information supplied by the department stores, credit card companies and others with whom you have accounts. Not all creditors report to all three repositories, though, so each of your credit reports could be different.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are entitled to a free credit report if you have been denied credit within the previous 60 days or are a resident of Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and Vermont. Simply follow the instructions in your rejection notice. Otherwise, you can obtain your credit reports from each of the three companies for a fee of $8.50 or less.

The three major agencies to contact for your credit reports are:
Equifax Credit Information Services
PO Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com

Experian National Consumer Assistance Center
PO Box 949
Allen, TX 75013-0949
800-682-7654
www.experian.com

Trans Union National Disclosure Center
PO Box 390
Springfield, PA 19064
800-888-4213
www.tuc.com

What To Do
To obtain your credit report, call, write or e-mail each company. Your request must include the following information:
• Your full and complete name, including such appellations as Jr., Sr. and III.
• Your current address.
• Your previous addresses, if any, for the past two years.
• Your Social Security Number.
• Your date-of-birth.
• Your phone number.