Each American citizen is entitled to get free annual credit report for their credit history. This is actually a new option, because in the past years, credit card users had to pay to get credit reports. This is actually an act passed in 2003 which is FTC’s ruling under Fair and Accurate Credit Transmission Act. The Equifax is one of the ‘big three’ credit bureaus in the country, along with Experian and TransUnion, and by contacting them, you can get your Equifax free credit report.
Why You Need Your Annual Credit Report
Several credit monitoring companies collect and collate financial data and report that particular information to their customers. Employers, retailers, credit card companies and issuers, bank institutions and insurance companies all use these credit bureaus like the Equifax for their credit history and information. However, not all credit reporting agencies provide 100% accurate information to their clients, which often results to errors and major headaches in the part of plastic card users. If you’re thinking of a fool-proof report with fraud alert and identity theft features, then 3-in-1 credit report from Equifax is for you.
Equifax has been in this industry of compiling credit history reports since 1899. Every user can get their annual Equifax free credit report from this bureau. These reports are what banks, credit card companies and mortgage companies use this report for determining grants for their clients, as it shows record for every credit transaction users make with the card.
Equifax is an international company spread all over the world in 13 countries with more or less 4,600 employees. That’s about $1.4 billion of revenue and has proven a decent track record in the field of credit history reports. To get the advantage of Equifax credit report, all you need to do is to visit their website, log-on by following the simple instructions and your report will automatically be shown in your computer screens. You can download this report and print it yourself for documentation.
Of course, you need to establish your identity before you can get access on the information you need, such as encoding your date of birth, name and address and social security number. The whole process only takes few seconds and clicks of your mouse.
As soon as you get your own credit report, you can then check it with your own records. The most obvious advantage of this is of course, you can automatically report to Equifax any inaccuracies you find with the report. All you need to do after that is to provide necessary documents for evidence to correct your report, then Equifax will verify your concern.
Another advantage of a good credit history report is giving lenders accurate and good picture of your credits. If you have been a victim of identity theft and your credit history has been stained by someone who has used your name to take advantage of your account, then you can easily remove those transactions in your report. Bad credit record can surely compromise your credit score, and lenders don’t risk their money to people with issue of money management.
The other two companies that compile and provide credit card reports are Experian and TransUnion, they also offer free credit card reports. Equifax however, is considered the biggest of these three. It is the most trusted company by lenders all over United States, and you know it is always good to get reports from well-established and most popular company for this kind of need. This company takes pride from providing accurate and honest reports to lending companies for over a century now. So if you’re in need of your report, then take good advantage of the fact that this leading company provides free report for you. With an accurate report from a reputable credit bureau, your credit score will no longer be enigmatic for you.
Remember that you are always entitled to get one credit history report from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax for free in a twelve month timeframe irrespective of where you live in the country, if:
- You are currently unemployed and want to submit an application for a job within the next two months.
- You think your credit report has been stained with inaccurate information due to fraud and you have been a victim of identity theft.
- You work as an public welfare assistant.
- You have been receiving notice of adverse decision within the past 60 calendar days with incidents like; you have been denied credit, denied employment and denied of insurance coverage.
If not, then these 3 credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), will charge you for another or extra copy of your credit card report for up to $9.5 within a 12-month time.
If you want to request a copy of your report, you can send it to Equifax information Services LLC at P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374 or call 800-685-1111.
You can also print out your annual credit report request form straight from the FTC’s website. Just fill out the form and mark the Equifax free credit report.