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.
Although you'll be able to see where you stand with your creditors, you won't get any type of a credit score, such as a FICO score. Your credit score is the actual number ranging from 300 to 850 that lenders use to judge your creditworthiness and the interest rate they'll charge you. The Federal Trade Commission is still considering what fee would be reasonable for the bureaus to charge consumers to get their credit score.
Additional provisions of the FACT Act include: creating uniform credit standards, requiring retailers to hide all but the last five digits of your account number on receipts, and new "opt out" rights for consumers.
Also, banks will have to tell you if they are giving you credit at less favorable terms based on your credit score and alert you if they report any negative information about you to the credit bureaus.
Checking your credit report annually is a habit that you should exercise regularly, especially with the increase in identity theft. Unfortunately, if you reside in New Jersey, New York, Maine or any of the other Eastern states you'll have to wait until September 1st of 2005 before you can check your report for free.
About The Author
© 2004, http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com
James H. Dimmitt is editor of "To Your Credit" a FREE weekly newsletter focusing on money management news and tips. You can subscribe to his newsletter and also get a FREE copy of your credit report when you visit: http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
 MSN UK News | Credit firms on Facebook 'breaking the rules' Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Credit firms who target young people by advertising on social networking websites such as Facebook are breaking advertising rules, a charity has said. ... Facebook users warned about loan adverts Credit firms breaking rules with Facebook ads Credit ads breaking Facebook rules |
MBIA posts huge loss on credit derivatives Reuters - The 2008 figure included unrealized losses on insured derivatives, such as credit default swaps, of $3.58 billion. Factoring in the unrealized losses, ... MBIA Inc. Reports First Quarter 2008 Financial Results MBIA Posts Loss of $2.4 Billion as CDO Slump Deepens (Update2) MBIA Swings to a Loss on Derivatives Hit |
Credit Suisse, GE Raise $5.64 Billion for Infrastructure Fund Bloomberg - By Jason Kelly May 12 (Bloomberg) -- Global Infrastructure Partners, the private-equity venture created by Credit Suisse Group and General Electric Co., ... Global Infrastructure Partners Announces Close of US$5.64 Billion ... |
 Dallas Morning News | Regulators' moves to stop credit card tricks deserves vocal support Dallas Morning News, TX - Consumers should be applauding and pushing rules proposed by the Federal Reserve and other regulators to rein in some much-criticized practices of credit ... Search Newsday.com Web enhanced by Proposals aim to protect credit-card users |
Telecom increases standby credit facility Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand - The new facility, with Telecom's existing bankers, replaces the previous standby credit facility which had a limit of US$500 million (NZ$654 million), ... TEXT-NZ's Telecom increased standby credit to NZ$800 mln Telecom Raises Standby Credit Facility |
IndyMac swings to 1Q loss, sees 2008 loss The Associated Press - (AP) — IndyMac Bancorp says it swung to a first-quarter loss as deteriorating credit markets forced write-downs on the value of mortgage-backed securities. ... IndyMac Bancorp Reports First Quarter Loss of $184.2 Million ... IndyMac Reports Loss, Doesn't See Profit in 2008 (Update1) UPDATE 1-IndyMac Bancorp reports quarterly loss |
 CPI Financial | United Rentals' $1 bln senior secured credit facility rated 'Baa3 ... Forbes, NY - United Rentals (nyse: URI - news - people ), Inc.'s existing rating of 'Ba1' for its senior secured credit facility was not affected by these rating actions ... Target ratings, outlook unaffected by credit card receivables sale ... TFN NEWS BRIEFING: Banking and insurance highlights to 09:15 BST Moody's Investors Service Names Michel Madelain As COO |
Credit-Default Swaps: Weapons of Mass Speculation Barron's - Buying credit-default swap protection is the ultimate bearish bet. But don't be fooled by the low profile of the business. In the decade since credit- ... |
Credit squeeze makes Dragon prey The Age, Australia - The global credit squeeze and the higher cost of funding it has induced is the key that Westpac chairman and former Treasury Secretary Ted Evans hopes will ... Westpac of Australia Offers to Buy St. George Bank (Update7) Asian shares pare losses as Japan rebounds; Australia lifted by ... Westpac Bank in takeover talks with St George |
 Investment Markets | Yen Trades Near Four-Week High Against Euro on Credit Concern Bloomberg - By Kosuke Goto May 12 (Bloomberg) -- The yen traded near the highest in four weeks against the euro as concern that credit-market losses are deepening ... Dollar falls on renewed credit concerns Dandy dollars, credit-market coma and tough trade tussles Positive GDP reports expected, but signs of weakening ahead |
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