Where To Get Your Credit Report

Almost everyone today has a credit history. There are three major credit bureaus whose purpose is to maintain credit habits on consumers.

If you think a late payment or two has affected your credit record, get a copy of your credit report before you complete a mortgage application. If you have been denied credit or employment because of a credit report, you are entitled to a free copy of that report within 30 days after the denial. You can also pay for a credit report by contacting a credit reporting agency, most of which obtain their information from one of the big three nationwide services:

TRW Consumer Assistance
P. O. Box 2350
Chatsworth, CA  91313-2350

Trans Union
P. O. Box 390
Springfield, PA  19064-0390
215.690.4909

CBI/Equifax Information Service Center
P. O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA  30374-0241
800.685.1111 or 404.612.2500

The cost to obtain a credit report varies. TRW offers consumers one free copy of their credit report per year. All credit reporting agencies are required to send you a free report if you suspect that your credit record may contain false or tampered information. Here’s what to include in a request for a copy of a credit report:

• Full name (and spouse’s name if married)
• Present full address
• Previous address(es) for past five years
• Social Security number (spouse’s number, if applicable)
• Date of birth
• Telephone number where you can be reached during business hours
• Your signature (and spouse’s signature, if applicable)
• Check for fee for report/copy of denial letter, if applicable