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How to View Your Annual Free Credit Report
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Government Mandates Free Credit Reports for All Consumers
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that U.S. consumers be entitled to a free credit report each year. The government’s goal is to make sure that consumers stay informed, fight identity theft, and get fair treatment.

In the past, not everybody was entitled to a free credit report. Instead, consumers had to pay or qualify based on certain activity within the credit report. Some states required that their residents periodically be entitled to a free credit report, but it is now nationwide.

How do I Get my Free Credit Report?

The nation’s credit reporting agencies have teamed up and built a website that you should use to get your free credit report. The site is www.annualcreditreport.com. You can also call them at 877-322-8228 and request your free credit report.

Contacting the Credit Agencies Directly

You can also call the major credit agencies directly and ask about a free credit report. However, the FCRA-mandated “Annual Free Credit Reports” are only available through the website and phone number above. In other words, you might have to pay if you contact a credit agency directly.

I cannot overemphasize that the only way to get your annual free credit report is by using the organization above. If you go any other route, you may have to pay or subscribe to a private service.

What Information do I Need for a Free Credit Report?

You’ll need to be prepared with your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. You’ll also need to have any prior addresses from the past few years. Finally, you’ll be asked to disclose something that only you know (like the amount of a given payment, for example) as a security measure.

When Can I See my Free Credit Report?

In order to manage the process, availability is only available to certain regions at certain times. As of September 1st, 2005, the entire nation will have access to a free credit report.

If your region is up and running, you can see your free credit report instantly online (at www.annualcreditreport.com). If you use the toll-free number, it may be 15 days or so until you receive the report.

What Else Should I Know About Free Credit Reports?

If you want the nitty-gritty details, try these resources:

* FTC’s announcement: Your Access to Free Credit Reports
* AnnualCreditReport.com’s FAQ
* National rollout schedule (find out when your state participates in the free credit report program)

Source : http://banking.about.com/od/loans/a/freecreditrpt.htm

Credit reports easier to access
Program gives buyers more cost control

By Eileen Alt Powell
The Associated Press

NEW YORK - It’s become much easier for Americans to monitor their credit reports and scores, and that’s giving consumers more control over borrowing costs and an added defense against credit card fraud and identity theft.

Since Sept. 1, consumers nationwide can obtain a free copy of their credit report every year from each of the three main credit reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

The program, mandated by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, allows consumers to go to a single Web site, www.annualcreditreport.com, where they can request their reports. Or they can call a toll-free number, (877) 322-8228, or write to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Robin Holland, senior vice president for operations at Equifax, said millions of Americans are using the program.

“Our inquiries are up significantly, and not necessarily because consumers found something inaccurate in their reports,” she said.

“In some cases, it’s the first time the consumer saw a credit report, and they call and ask ‘What does this mean?’ or ‘Why is this included?’

“It’s been a great learning opportunity.”

The aim of the legislation was to give consumers easier access to credit reports, which track how much debt they have and how promptly they pay their bills. A clean report means a consumer likely can get a new mortgage or car loan at a good interest rate; a bad one can result in credit being denied or offered only at a high rate.

And because employers and rental agents also check credit reports, a bad report can prevent people from getting a job or the apartment they want.

Unfortunately, many Americans don’t pay much attention until it’s too late.

“Some people will leave negative stuff on their credit reports for ages instead of getting it corrected,” said Paul Richard, executive director of the Institute of Consumer Financial Education in San Diego.

“Then they run into a problem, like they’re denied a car loan, and they’re forced to be
reactive rather than proactive.”

Source:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051120/BIZ/511200305/1001

The only 3 ways you can get free credit reports

By PAUL WENSKE

Columnist

OK, let’s run over this one more time.

From the volume of calls and e-mails I got, it’s clear some folks are still having trouble figuring out how to get a free credit report. It’s not hard, but some readers took a wrong turn somewhere.

So let’s start at the beginning. Each of the three big credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — are required to provide you with one free copy of your credit report every 12 months.

Your report is absolutely free. You don’t have to buy anything. It’s guaranteed through the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.

But there are only three ways you can get your free report. Congress required the three credit bureaus to set up a central Web site, a toll-free phone number and a mailing address.

To order online, go to www.annualcreditreport.com. This is the only Web site where you can access the central source to get your free reports from each of the three credit bureaus.

Any other Web sites that advertise “free” reports are impostors or sites that offer products with strings attached. Some sites sign you up for a “free” report that converts into a service you have to pay for after a trial period or requires you to buy more stuff — like credit monitoring — that you may or may not want.

When you go to the online site, you will be asked to first select your state and then to click on the button “Request Report.”

After you fill out some personal identification information, you will be able to start the process of ordering one or all three of your reports. If you decided to order only one, you can return to the site later within 12 months and order the other two. That allows you to string out your requests.

To order by phone, call (877) 322-8228. This is the only central source number. If you call any other number — including each of the three credit bureaus — you will get charged.

The phone system uses a recorded-voice process to guide you through your choices. It’s not difficult, but since it’s not as visual as the online method I think it’s a little clumsier to use. Still, you will be provided with prompts that will allow you to order one or all of your three credit reports.

I recommend that you write down which credit bureau reports you ordered because it’s easy to forget. A written record is important if you don’t get a report and need to follow up with a call.

To order by mail, you have to fill out a request form available at the central source Web site. Then you can mail the form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

I still think the Web site route is the easiest and quickest. And it’s also the easiest way to additionally order your three-digit credit score, which will cost you about $6.95 extra.

I hope this helps. Because this is really a very cool service. And it’s really important for consumers to keep track of their reports to make sure the information is accurate, complete and up to date.

After all, this is the information that influences whether you get a loan and how much interest you have to pay.

A quick word here about e-mail scams. Neither the central source nor the big credit bureaus will send you e-mails seeking personal information, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

So if you get an e-mail or see a pop-up ad, do not reply or click on any link in the message.

It’s probably a scam that may be intent on stealing your personal identity.

For more detailed information, go to .htm .

Rewarding good service

The holidays can raise questions about tipping people who provide good service throughout the year. Here are selected suggestions from experts at Angie’s List, the consumer rating service:

■ Event entertainment, like Santas and carolers: 15 to 20 percent.

■ Chefs or caterers: 15 to 20 percent based on a final cost. It’s up to you whether to include the cost of alcohol.

■ Housecleaners: $25 to $50, a day’s pay or a gift of equal value.

■ Baby sitters: Consider a gift from your kids plus one or two nights’ pay.

■ Child-care workers: Check with the care center’s manager to see what’s appropriate, which may be a gift from your kids.

■ Handymen or yard workers you use year-round: $20 to $50.

Source: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/

Free credit reports prevent ID theft
By Peter Kranenburg Daily Universe Staff Reporter - 4 Nov 2005

College-age students are the most targeted group by credit card companies and one of the hardest hit consumer groups for identity theft according to a Federal Trade Commission report.

The danger of identity theft and the onslaught of credit card offers come at a time when the cohort is beginning to establish their vulnerable credit history – a time when college students should be aware of their credit.

And the best part is it’s free.

As of Sept. 1, 2005, everyone in the United States can access a copy of his or her credit report free of charge. The three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, are required by law to issue a credit report once a year to all consumers that request a copy on the Internet, by phone or by mail.

Most students do not think about checking their credit because they do not think they have any.

Ryan Lillywhite, a senior from Centerville, majoring in financial services, said he thought about checking his credit report once, but gave up after experiencing computer problems.

“I don’t think I have enough credit established to worry about it,” Lillywhite said.

But most young people don’t pay attention until it is too late.

Neil Skousen, an attorney specializing in debt settlement in Orem, said they do not realize there is a problem until they are declined for a car loan or some other type of large purchase. Someone may have stolen their credit before they even started.

The fact that college students are the most targeted consumer group by credit card companies makes it easier for criminals to steal their information and commit identity theft, said Curtis Turnbull, a credit counselor with Budget Masters Guidance Center.

“If somebody knew you were getting a lot of credit card offers, it wouldn’t be hard to get at least one and then get the ball rolling from there,” Turnbull said.

Kent Nelson, chief investigator for the Utah Consumer Protection Division, said students should check their credit reports to identify any issues of identity theft. He said most people do not know there is a problem until they start getting notices from collection agencies. He also said students should check their credit history for errors.

“Credit bureaus do make mistakes,” Nelson said. “It is important to make sure no erroneous negative items show up, bringing your score down.”

Mike Scott, community education specialist of the Utah attorney general’s office, spends most of his time gathering information about fraud and identity theft to better educate people about the problem.

Identity theft in Utah increased from 886 complaints in 2002, to 1,831 complaints in 2004. Utah now ranks 14th in the nation in identity theft, up from 35th in 2001.

“Over two-thirds of all complaints go unreported,” Scott said. “The numbers are not really indicative of the problem because people don’t know who to go to.”

Scott said checking credit reports is the only way to find out if there are fraudulent accounts opened in your name, because a thief committing identity theft with a bank or credit card company needs a social security number, which will automatically show up on the credit report.

Scott gives a two-pronged approach students can take to minimize the risk of fraud and identity theft: minimize themselves as a target and catch it as quickly as possible. Scott said students should shred or destroy credit card offers and bank statements when they come in the mail.

“It is important to check your credit at least once a year,” Scott said. “It really is the only way to know for sure if you’ve been a victim of fraud or identity theft.”

The only Web site authorized to issue free copies of credit reports is annualcreditreport.com, where by disclosing their state, the consumer is directed to a page where they can access a report from each of the three bureaus. Each site varies and may contain different information. It is important to access a credit report copy from each of the three bureaus because the different bureaus can report different information.

Source:http://newsnet.byu.edu/story.cfm/57317

Worried about ID theft? Freeze your credit reports

By Dennis Rockstroh

Mercury News

Q
My son just received a letter from his former employer reporting that the store had been broken into and personal information, including Social Security numbers of all employees, is missing.

Whom should my son contact to freeze all requests for credit?

And what else can he do to protect his identity?

Georgette Kwong
San Jose

A
Under California law, your son can put a security freeze on his credit reports. Even an identity thief who has his name, address, Social Security number, birth date and more will not be able to get new loans and credit in his name.

To do this, you son needs to contact all three major credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, Calif. 92834-6790; Experian, 701 Experian Parkway, Allen, Texas 75013; and Equifax, P.O. Box 105788, Atlanta, Ga. 30348.

For more details on how this works, check out www.fightidentitytheft.com/legislation_

california_sb168.html.

The best way to protect yourself against ID theft is to passionately guard your personal information.

For a comprehensive look at the problem and strategies to fight it, see www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/ pubs/credit/id theft.htm.

Q
My 88-year-old father is very bothered by all his junk mail and the fact that he is wasting his last months or few years of life having to sort through it all.

Is there a way that I can stop delivery of it?

Judith Ogus
San Jose

A
Your father can send a request to end some of this kind of mail by writing Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, N.Y. 10512.

For more information, see www.privacyrights.org/fs/ fs4-junk.htm on the Web.

Recall

American Greetings is recalling about 14,200 Fairy Wand Party Favors because they can break apart, exposing sharp wires that can cut.

The recalled fairy wands are pink or purple with multicolored beads, feathers and ribbons.

The wands are seven inches long.

There are four wands in each package. The packaging has a light pink cardboard backer and the model number WAND1361 written on the back.

They were sold at discount, toy, drug, grocery, party and specialty gift stores nationwide from March 2003 through September 2005 for about $4.

If you have one or more of these wands, contact American Greetings for a coupon redeemable wherever American Greetings products are sold.

For additional information, contact American Greetings at (800) 777-4891 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. PST Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://amer icangreetings.com.

Here is how to reach Action Line:

• Mail: San Jose Mercury News, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95190

• E-mail: actionline@mercurynews.com

• Web: www.mercurynews.com. Click Columnists, then Action Line.

• Phone recording: (888) 688-6400.

• Fax: (408) 288-8060.

Please include full name, address and phone number.

Because of the volume of requests, I cannot respond to all of them.

For tips, self-help, news and discussion, see the Consumer Action Line Web log at http://blogs.mercurynews.com.

Getting Out of Debt - Military Debt Relief
By Katie Spencer

Don’t let the easy access of obtaining credit cards drive you in debt. Often time, people take advantage of the easy access to credit cards and run up a large total with not having any plan or money to pay it off. The interest rates are usually high making it more difficult to pay off.

Often time’s people will switch from job to job until they finally enjoy what they are doing. If they had been contributing to a 401(k), many will borrow from it or cash it out when the leave the company.

With the price of real estate on the rise, people will often times take out home-equity loans which offsets most or all of the potential rise in their wealth by more debt.

The average credit card carrying household carries more than $8,000 in credit card debt. The interest rate typically runs around 17%, which comes out to about $1400 a year in interest. Say for instance, instead of paying that interest, you invested $1400 a year earning 8% annually, you’d have almost $160,000 after 30 years.

If you are ready to tackle your debt, here are a few tips to get you started.

Get to know your debt, all of it. Know all of your balances, the interest rates of each, whether it is deductible, and if you’ll face any penalties for paying an account off early. Call your lender and ask if you don’t know the answers, and most importantly, write everything down.

Next, prioritize your debt. Your debts can be divided into deductible and non-deductible debt. Examples of non-deductible debt, meaning you get no tax break include credit cards, car loans, and personal loans. Examples of deductible debt include home equity loans and some student loans but will depend on your income. Then rank your debts, deductible and non deductible from highest interest rate to the lowest in two separate piles.

Delete your debt. Start with your highest rate of non-deductible debt or with the smallest balance of non-deductible debt. Starting with the smallest will give you satisfaction for paying the debt off fast. Regardless, you should pay as much money as you can towards your first debt elimination target. Once your first debt is paid off, keep contributing the same amount of money to your next target. Continue with this process until all your non-deductible debt is paid off. Then target your deductible debt. For more information please visit http://www.militaryfinances.com

Katie Spencer is a contributing writer for a number of international financial journals both online and in print. Katie has been delivering financial education to the public in a variety of areas to include budgeting, credit and debt management, and money saving tips. Recently, Katie has been in partnership with a national educational foundation to deliver financial advice to American consumers via the web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katie_Spencer

Two Ways To Debt Relief
By Terje Ellingsen

There are many debt relief programs out there both off line and online. Sometimes it can be difficult to chose one from the other. To make a reasonable choice, you need to know

• your specific debt problem for example student loan debt, credit card debt or several small loans with high interest rate, which in it’s turn defines

If you know this, you can find the right program for you. There are roughly two main types of debt reduction programs; Debt consolidation and debt settlement. To be honest, it is not hard to find relief for your debt.

There are some really good companies online that can help you with debt reduction and get you out of a pressing and annoying situation. Before we take a closer look at this two types of debt reduction, just know that it is easier to accumulate debt than to eliminate it. Unfortunately, it’s a pretty long way to go. But if you keep patient you’ll get rid of your debt problems for ever.

1. Debt consolidation

called by some a debt management loan, is a means to consolidate your debt. Especially when you currently have several small loans, you take these, whether they are credit cards or student loans, and combine them into one loan. With only one loan you only have to make one monthly payment. This is much easier to manage than several payments on several loans. Usually with this solution, the interest rate will be lower as well and you’ll save money compared with the previous situation.

2. Debt settlement

also called credit counseling or debt negotiations, are a little different form of debt reduction. The companies dealing with this kind of debt management is called debt counseling companies. Examples of such institutions can be companies like KimberlyCcredit, GoDebtFree and Lexington Law. They work with your creditors to modify and change your terms. Through such a company, you can get a lower interest rate and eliminating late fees. This might be the wisest thing to do, if you’re really over your head in debt. With a debt settlement company you pay a lower total sum of money than you would otherwise.

All of these programs can be reasonable options. The difference is in the details of the programs. Your job of getting relief from your debt is first and foremost to find a debt relief program that is right for you.

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website 1st-In-Loan.net
Terje gives advice and helps people with personal financial issues like how to
get out of debt and loan consolidation

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terje_Ellingsen

Debt Relief? Is There Any Hope?
By Ken Austin

Debt relief is something that millions of people need each year. For those who are looking for answers to their questions of just how to get out of debt, there is a lot of help out there. The question is, though, can they find a way to get out of debt in time? Many keep putting it off getting them farther into debt. When the only answer to debt relief is bankruptcy, people lose all hope. Before you get to that point, though, consider your options.

• You can look to debt consolidation opportunities. There are some loans available that can help you to pay off your debt and consolidate your payments into one. This type of debt relief is often only available to those who have very good credit or collateral to use with the loan.

All of these solutions may or may not work for your needs. While more and more people rack up debt, debt relief becomes harder to find. If you are committed to having the best credit score and a debt free life, you will find a solution for your needs in debt relief.

Ken Austin is the webmaster at http://www.creditreliefonline.com/
and http://www.myfinanceconnection.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Austin

What if No One Really Needed Debt Relief?
By Lance Winslow

What if consumer debt in our nation was not a big issue? What if all Americans lived within their means? What if no one was paying higher interest rates to their plastic companions than on the Streets of New York?

What if everyone paid off their entire balance each month? What if the money, which is being paid in interest was instead saved in 401Ks, investments and stocks? What if that money went into real estate or even the bank?

What if no one was living so high on the hog that they were paying interest the wrong way, but rather collecting interest for their investments? What if the cost of living for the average American were down to a level that it was not such a tough grind for them? What if fuel prices were less?

What if those who really could not afford to buy elaborate Christmas Gifts went on the light side of things? What if American families lived within their means and taught their kids to do the same? What if no one really needed debt relief because they never got into the problem in the first place?

What if those had gotten themselves over extended due to an emergency or poor financial choices were able to get themselves out of debt by cutting back a little or going without this weeks must have impulse purchase? What if charging up a storm and shopping till you drop were brought back into a reasonable realm? Do you need debt relief from poor choices you have made? Think on it.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

How to Find Debt Consolidation Solutions
By Sanjay Johari

Taking loans has become a way of life because of the convenience it offers. Within manageable limits loan repayment does not create any problems. However there is no harm in looking for better options.

A debt consolidation solution is any method of taking all debts incurred by an individual from various lenders and consolidating them into a single debt. Such a consolidation solution is best for those who have to repay various loans taken from different sources. It is really a bad time for a person who has to take loans to repay earlier loans.

For those who have taken multiple loans from different sources for whatever reasons, debt consolidation could help them. They can get choice of a fixed tenure, flexible loan, or revolving credit plan at a reasonable interest rate – all from a single agency. Otherwise the options for debt consolidation are limited to steps such as renegotiating with primary lenders, availing the services of a non-profit credit-counseling agency, transferring funds amongst credit cards, borrowing from your retirement fund, or taking an advance from your existing mortgage lender or transferring the mortgage to another lender.

It is important to take services of a reputed debt consolidation company for an effective debt consolidation solution. The company you contact will take care of all the debts you owe to various creditors. All you will have to do is make one monthly payment of a fixed amount to the company.

The advantages of debt consolidation are the following:

• You pay only single, fixed payments, instead of separate payments of varying amounts towards numerable debts at different rates of interest;

• This single payment is often substantially lower than the amount you previously paid;

• Your high interest rates and late fees are often eliminated;
• And the process of reducing your total debt load to zero is much faster.

You need to be aware of some of the drawbacks of using consolidation as a debt solution:

• Your credit is put on hold - and often your credit rating is hit for at least a few years;

• If your debt does not match the criteria, you cannot take advantage of this service, no matter how necessary it might be.

If you find yourself in need of debt consolidation, get this done at the earliest. Find an agreeable debt consolidation solution – and get out the debt-trap before it goes out of your hand.

Visit for information and solutions on debt consolidation:
http://www.sanjay-j.com/debt_consolidation_with_online_quote/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sanjay_Johari