The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives your free annual access to your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can choose from several options to get the reports. Many people use the online request system, which sends information to an email account. You have other options if you don't have an email address or don't want to use one. Your credit reports can be ordered via postal mail or over the phone.
Postal Mail
The government website allows you to request your free credit reports via postal mail. You must visit the site and download a form in .PDF format, which requires Adobe Reader. This software can be downloaded free from the Adobe website if your computer does not have it already. Fill out the report with the required demographic information and your Social Security number. Indicate whether you want a report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion, or all three, and mail the form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. The form will be processed within 15 days and your reports should arrive in two to three weeks, according to the AnnualCreditReport.com website.
Phone
You can call (877) 322-8228 toll-free to request your credit report. The system is automated so you will not speak to a live operator. You will be required to enter certain information that proves your identity. Your reports will be mailed to you when the verification process is complete. World Privacy Forum recommends calling from your home phone, since the system can automatically verify it. You may be asked to enter additional information if you call from another phone.
Temporary Address
You can open a temporary email account if you don't already have an email account or don't wish to use your existing address. Sign up for an account with a free email provider like Gmail, Yahoo! or Hotmail. Use it to request your credit reports online, then print out the reports and delete them from the email account. You can close the account or simply abandon it.
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