Ensuring that your credit report is free of errors is critically important to your life. The reality is that it's up to an individual to ensure that information contained in their credit report is accurate. If any information is inaccurate, it is then up to the individual to convince the consumer reporting agencies that it's incorrect. This is a very difficult and time consuming task, which is why so many people turn to professional credit repair agencies for help.

It is a welcome development that Americans no longer have to pay these reporting agencies a fee just to access a copy of their report every twelve months. Consumers can order a copy of their reports from each of the three national consumer reporting companies. The law allows for requests of one free copy from each of the three CRAs every 12 months.

This new federal law came into effect on December 1, 2004. It began in the Western States and has been rolled out to all States. By September 1, 2005, every American had access to a free credit report every twelve months.

The rollout was implemented as outlined below:

Western states — Alaska, California, Colorado, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and Utah — access free reports starting December 1, 2004.

Midwestern states — Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, and South Dakota — access free reports beginning March 1, 2005.

Southern states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Mississippi — access free reports beginning June 1, 2005.

Eastern states — Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, Vermont, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories - access free reports beginning September 1, 2005.

How to Order

Another benefit of this new law is that there is now one central website and one toll free number that allows you to request copies from each of the three consumer reporting agencies. Do not contact the three CRAs directly, as they will charge for a copy of your report. Access free copies through one of the following methods: The website address is www.annualcreditreport.com, and the toll free number is 1-877-322-8228. Consumers can also complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to the following address:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA
30348-5281

Important Notice about Ordering Free Annual Credit Reports

Some consumer groups are advising Americans against using the centralized website to order their free credit reports. The reason for this is due to the complications that have arisen as a result of the proliferation of illegitimate websites that direct consumers to websites that charge fees for reports, or that automatically sign up the unsuspecting consumer for credit services they do not want or need.

As well, complaints have been launched against some of the CRAs that are in charge of the centralized website. Some groups suggest that these particular CRAs are using their website affiliate programs to redirect consumers to their website, where they proceed to charge consumers for their reports.

Although this complicated situation can be difficult for consumers to understand, some groups have urged Americans to simply avoid ordering free annual credit reports online, and instead to order using the toll free number or regular mail in order to avoid potential pitfalls.

Learn more about free credit reports and related news from the consumers protection website privacyrights.org.

Learn more about credit reports and professional credit repair services.