Free Credit Report - Really
2005 marks the year that consumers will be able to get a free credit report each year. The roll out of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act signed into law by President Bush actually began last December 1. If you didn't know about it, don't worry. You haven't missed the boat. Not everyone is eligible to get their credit report. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is allowing the credit bureau's to implement the program piecemeal so as not to overload the new credit report system. Millions of consumers are expected to take advantage of the free reports.
Last December, consumers from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming were able to take advantage of the free credit report. Next March, the Midwest will have access to free credit reports. The South has to wait till June, and the East must wait until September 2005.
After your eligible, you can request you free credit report from a web site, by calling a toll free number, or by requesting it in writing. The web site address is AnnualCreditReport.com. This website was created by the credit bureaus. The toll free number is (877)-322-8228, which is also (877)-FTC-HELP if that's easier to remember. The address to write to is Annual Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA., 30348-5281. You will not be asked to sign up for a trial subscription for a credit monitoring service after requesting your credit report.
Your not limited to one free credit report a year. You can request three - one from each of the credit bureaus: Experían (http://www.experian.com), Equifax Inc. (http://www.equifax.com), and Trans Union LLC (http://www.tuc.com). It's a good idea to request a credit report from one of the credit bureau's every four months to monitor the activity related to your credit. You do not have to request three credit reports at the same time.
Errors on credit reports can cost you plenty of money. You need to make sure your credit report is accurate before submitting a mortgage application, buying a car on credit, or even requesting a credit card. Take advantage of the free credit reports to protect your most important financial asset - your credit.George Burks of http://www.mybiweeklymortgagepayment.com has offered a biweekly mortgage payment plan with no enrollment fee since 1999. His interest in financial topic is varied. Visit http://www.mybiweeklymortgagepayment.com to see our growing financial library. Ask about our reprint policy
MORE RESOURCES:
US August consumer credit falls by $7.88 billion, first decline in ... Forbes, NY - WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - Americans unexpectedly decreased their credit borrowing for the first time in more than ten years, mostly cutting back on ... Video: Bernanke: More Economic Pain Ahead Stocks down despite government moves to free up credit Consumers Trim Their Borrowing |
 China Daily | Credit cards next in line for tightening Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - By MARK GONGLOFF As consumers watch their wealth disappear in the markets, some are also at risk of losing one of their last spending lifelines: credit ... Video: Dow Dips More Than 500 on Worries About Financia Bailout should not include price controls on low-limit credit cards Fed's new arsenal firing blanks |
US consumer credit posts worst drop ever National Post, Canada - US consumer credit plummeted by US$7.9-billion dollars in August - its sharpest drop on record, US Federal Reserve figures showed Tuesday. ... US consumer credit declines for first time in over decade Consumer Credit Drops for First Time in 10 Years US Consumer Credit Dropped by the Most on Record (Update1) |
 Reuters | With Credit Drying Up, Car Buyers Bring Cash New York Times, United States - Tighter credit was a crucial factor in the stunning 26.6-percent drop in September vehicle sales in the United States. In September, sales fell below 1 ... Credit crunch hits auto market's weak link 700 US dealerships could close this year, says head of dealer group Auto dealers looking for the end of the credit crisis tunnel |
 Reuters | Former AIG CEOs back credit default swap regulation Reuters - N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said they would back regulation of the credit default swaps market in testimony at the US House Oversight and ... Unregulated swaps hastened Wall Street collapse New York insurance regulator calls for regulation of credit ... Greenberg Says Federal Loan to AIG Is Bad Deal |
Corporate America Credit Union and FIMAC Reach Agreement to Offer ... MarketWatch - Based in Birmingham, Alabama, CACU has over $1.4 billion in assets, and serves the financial needs of 174 member credit unions. ... |
 Voice of America | Small US Businesses Feel Pinch of Tightened Credit Voice of America - By Mike O'Sullivan As the US Federal Reserve System announced measures to ease the credit crisis Tuesday, small business owners around the United States say ... |
 New York Times | Federal solar tax credit extended San Antonio Business Journal, TX - The Solar Electric Power Association expects solar generation to expand significantly thanks to the extension of federal solar tax credits to utilities. ... Solar energy gets huge earmark in bailout bill Will Coal Be Cashing In On the New Tax Credit?  Comment by Gregory Wetstone AWEA Sr. Director of Governmental & Public Affairs |
Lekcja 4: The aftermath of the credit crunch Rzeczpospolita, Poland - The words credit crunch are on the lips of those who are now trying to arrange a mortgage and find it no longer so easy. The term credit crunch describes a ... |
Bond Risk Climbs on Credit Crisis, South Korea Rises to Record Bloomberg - The Markit iTraxx Japan index of credit-default swaps rose 7.5 basis points to 201.5 as of 10:18 am in Tokyo, according to prices from Credit Suisse Group. ... EURO CORP-British banks' CDS tighten on govt funding talks Australian Bond Risk Rises to Record as Credit Crisis Spreads Asia-Pacific Company, Government Bond Risk Rises, Swaps Show |
Credit - Google News
Manage Your Credit Wisely
Getting your first credit card is a big deal and all young people look forward to it with bated breath. We wait for years to be able to apply successfully for out own credit card.
Identity Theft - How to Protect Yourself
"Like the tan? I got tons of sun on that Caribbean cruise. First class tickets to Florida and back! Nope, not an airline upgrade.
How to Avoid Credit Card Late Fees
Everyone hates late fees and being late will cost you dearly these days. For some credit cards today, if you are late, you will have to shell out as much as $40 each time.
Five Debt Negotiation Facts
These five debt negotiation facts along with a few debt reduction planning tools gives you the ability to control your own debt. For many people today credit card debt is a mounting problem and very few know how to successfully negotiate debt settlements.
Identity Theft - Who Would Want Mine?
With all my bills who would possibly want my credit? Let them steal my identity and pay my bills! Unfortunately, that's not the way it works. Many of us mistakenly believe that identity thieves hit only the wealthy.
Will Inquiries Lower Your Credit Score?
What are inquiries?When you apply for credit the creditor or lender checks your credit report to verify that you qualify for the credit or loan you are applying for. The "inquiry" is then reported to the credit bureaus and shows up on your credit report.
Establishing Credit - What You Need To Know Part 1
Establishing credit is one of the most important things you can do in order to add stability to your financial record and dramatically increase your ability to borrow necessary funds in order to purchase a new home, new car or even pay for college expenses. Unfortunately credit has two sides to it that consumers can exploit.
Credit Report - How to Improve Your Credit Score
One of the great mysteries of life is how the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union) score credit. They all have secret statistical formulas for determining your credit score, but they are unwilling to divulge exactly what, exactly, constitutes your score.
What Happens When Your Credit Is Damaged? Do You Have Recourse?
The good thing about bad credit is that you can fix it. If you start now, over time, your bad credit can turn into good credit, and you could qualify for the loans you want at the rates you want.
Shoppers Beware - Tis The Season
It's the number one complaint from consumers and it only takes a moment for you to become a victim. While you search for holiday bargains, identity thieves are searching for targets - unsuspecting consumers.
Have You Checked Your Permanent Record Lately?
As a young student I feared getting bad grades because I didn't want any bad marks on my "permanent record." Get an "F" in fifth-grade science and it goes in your record.
What is the Check 21 Act?
Check 21 is the common name for the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act. It's new legislation that was recently passed by congress and made a law when signed by the President of the United States (remember "I'm just a bill" from Saturday morning cartoons).
The Top 5 Secrets to Managing Your Credit Cards-So They Won't Manage You
You've probably never heard of Frank X. McNamara, but he revolutionized the way you shop on a daily basis.
Warning: Free Credit Report Imposter Websites Springing Up on the Web
A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report, upon request, once every 12 months.Access to the free credit reports has been phased in beginning last December in the West and will finally be nationwide by 1 September.
Debit Card vs. Credit Card, What Are The Differences ?
Ah, the "good old days". If you are a baby boomer, like me, then you probably remember how important it was to rush to the bank on payday.
Good Credit is King, When Qualifying for Mortgage Programs
If you want to purchase a new home or refinance your current mortgage, be sure to check out the wide array of loan programs available. If you have less than excellent or even poor credit, you can still qualify for a loan.
Bailiffs & Council Tax - Knowing What To Do
This article is about bailiffs who may call trying to collect Council Tax or Community Charge (Poll Tax) arrears. If a bailiff has contacted you to collect another sort of debt the law might be different.
Free Credit Reports - How to Maintain Your Credit Profile
Maintaining your Credit ProfileEvery consumer should be maintaining their credit profiles to ensure the highest scores possible. To do so, you must first order your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian.
Credit Repair Kit Sound To Good To Be True? It Is.
A lot of people have bad credit. It is unfortunate that good people with good intentions are sometimes lured into credit card offers with outrageous interest rates or convinced to buy a new, overpriced car that they cannot afford.
Good vs. Bad Credit Debt
Do you know the difference between good and bad credit debt? Most everyone seems to think that all debt is bad, but that is not always the case. In fact, there are some instances where good debt can actually help your financial situation.