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November 23, 2004 09:37 PM

Free Credit Reports Are On The Way


Excerpt: Under the new system, consumers can order their free reports by going to a central Web site, www.annualcreditreport.com; by calling a toll-free number; or by sending in a written request. Reports can be requested from all three bureaus at one time or spread out over 12 months.

　 　

Millions of consumers for the first time will be able to get free copies of their credit report starting next week.

Beginning Dec. 1, consumers in 13 Western states will have the right to order a free credit report annually from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus -- Equifax Inc., Experian and TransUnion. The program, which will be rolled out nationally next year, was mandated by Congress last year as part of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.

Under the new system, consumers can order their free reports by going to a central Web site, www.annualcreditreport.com; by calling a toll-free number; or by sending in a written request. Reports can be requested from all three bureaus at one time or spread out over 12 months.

Credit reports contain payment histories, loan balances and other personal and financial information used by lenders, insurers, employers and landlords. Until now, free reports mostly were available to people turned down for credit, insurance or a job because of information on their credit report or who believed they were victims of fraud or identity theft. Seven states -- Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and Vermont -- mandate that residents have access to at least one free report per bureau each year no matter what their circumstances.

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Free Credit Report Details Announced (November 25, 2004)
Consumers in some parts of the United States will be entitled to one free credit report each year beginning Dec. 1, using a Web site called AnnualCreditReport.com, the nation's credit bureaus announced Tuesday. Consumers can also call a toll-free number or mail a written request ...
One Late Payment Can Hit Finances Hard (November 25, 2004)
One late payment on your credit card can pack a pretty hard punch. Not only with fees and rate hikes on the card in question, but also with penalties on your other credit cards. Almost half of all credit cards have so-called universal default penalties ...
Card Debt (November 22, 2004)
While 185 million Americans have at least one credit card, only 144 million consumers have at least one bank credit card. Over the past 10 years the average revolving bank credit card balance per carded American household has more than doubled from $2,942 to $7,519 ...
Soaring Interest Compounds Credit Card Pain for Millions (November 20, 2004)
When Ed Schwebel was whittling down his mound of credit card debt at an interest rate of 9.2 percent, the MBNA Corporation had a happy and profitable customer. But this summer, when MBNA suddenly doubled the rate on his account, Mr. Schwebel joined the growing ...

Read all 26 posts in the same category of Credit/Credit Card:

Capital One Sued Over 'Deceptive' Ads - Jan 01, 2005
Frequent-Flier Cards Delay Fee Collection - Dec 27, 2004
It Pays To Surf For Auto Loans Online - Dec 27, 2004
Perishable Credit Card Numbers Take The Fear Out Of Web Shopping - Dec 27, 2004
American Express, Citi Ink Deal - Dec 26, 2004
Citigroup Says It Will Issue American Express Cards - Dec 17, 2004
MBNA Pitches Rival Visa Card - Dec 14, 2004
Credit Card Loyalty Put to the Switch Test - Dec 09, 2004
Credit Cards Offer Safety In Buying Online - Dec 06, 2004
How to Deal With Your Debts - Dec 04, 2004
FACTA & Your Credit - Dec 03, 2004
Warning On Internet Loans - Dec 02, 2004
High Court Sets Truth In Lending Limit - Dec 02, 2004
Free Credit Reports May Reveal Surprises - Dec 01, 2004
Free Credit Reports Coming, With Pitches - Nov 30, 2004
Teens Need To Embrace Identity Protection - Nov 30, 2004
What to Do About Your Credit - Nov 29, 2004
A Generation Weighed Down By Debt - Nov 28, 2004
7 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score - Nov 25, 2004
Free Credit Report Details Announced - Nov 25, 2004
One Late Payment Can Hit Finances Hard - Nov 25, 2004
Card Debt - Nov 22, 2004
Soaring Interest Compounds Credit Card Pain for Millions - Nov 20, 2004
Gas Cutter - Nov 02, 2004
Payment Rates - Nov 02, 2004