Debt and Credit Management 

How and Where To Obtain Your Credit Report
and
How To Opt Out of Unsolicited Mailing

There are actually hundreds of credit bureaus located throughout the country. Most credit bureaus, however, rely on one of the three major “Credit Reporting Agencies” (CRA’s) as their source of information: Experian, Equifax and Trans Union. While having only three major CRA’s to contend with lifts some of the burden from consumers, the problem is the information on your consumer report may vary with each CRA. In other words, each consumer has “three” consumer reports, one filed with each of the CRA’s.

While it is conceivable that each report is virtually identical, the fact is, there are often major differences. This is especially true for older consumers who have established many credit accounts though the years. One of the reasons for discrepancies is that creditors and information providers may only report to one of the CRA’s. In addition, one of the major problems with consumer reports is incorrect and outdated information contained in the reports. The reason for these errors are many. The CRA, for example, often mismatches the name of one consumer with that another consumer, thereby inserting the report in the wrong credit file. Confusion with names, social security numbers, addresses, employers and other information is also a major cause of misinformation. There are errors in reporting due to illegible handwriting and typo's, and presumably, due to fatigue of the person providing the report or the CRA representative inputting the report into the consumer's credit file.

Whatever the case, derogatory information on your credit report can severely damage your chances of qualifying for a loan or a line of credit, be it for a credit card, a mortgage or any consumer goods or services. Additionally, it can even affect your chances of getting a good job or renting a place to live. Today, most banks, creditors, landlords, and a growing number of employers, rely on credit reports for obtaining information and making decisions. In an age when credit files are easily stored in computer files and can be transmitted on request worldwide in a matter of moments, establishing a good consumer report is not only smart, but essential for most consumers wanting a better life.

It is also very important for consumers to understand their rights under the “Fair Credit Reporting Act.”  One of these rights is to find out what is in your file. At your request, a CRA must give you the information in your file and a list of everyone who has requested it recently. There is no charge for the report if the person has taken action against you, such as denying credit, insurance or employment, because of information supplied by the CRA.

You are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report
from a credit reporting agency if:

• You have been denied credit, insurance or employment within the past sixty (60) days based on information in a credit report provided by such agency.
• You certify in writing you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment during the sixty (60) day period beginning on the date on which you made such certification.
• You are a recipient of public welfare assistance.
• You have reason to believe that your file at such credit reporting agency contains inaccurate information due to fraud.

In addition, if you reside in the state of Colorado, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey or Vermont, you are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report once a year and if you reside in the state of Georgia, you are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report twice a year.

Otherwise, a consumer reporting agency may impose a reasonable charge for providing you with a copy of your credit report.

Below we have included the addresses and telephone numbers of the three major credit reporting agencies. If you are requesting a copy of your report due to being denied credit, insurance, employment or whatever because of information provided by a CRA, you can write to, or call the CRA that "provided" the information causing the denial. The CRA, in turn, in compliance with the FCRA, will send you a free copy of the report provided to the person who denied your application. It is important that you understand that only the CRA that provided the information is obligated to send you a free report. You will know which one because, by law, the person that rejected your application must inform you why you are being denied and the source of their information.

If you have not been denied, but are entitled to one free report as outlined above, you can write to, or call each of the CRA’s and request a copy of your report. You must certify the reason for making the request.

Under the listing below for each credit reporting agency, in addition to the address and telephone numbers of each CRA, we have also included the cost of the report and the information that is requested by each of the CRA’s. While similar, there are different requirements. Please note that this information was correct as of June 1, 2000 , as provided by each of the CRA’s. As time passes, the requirements and procedures could change.

Lastly, we offer a word of caution. Ensuring that your consumer report contains accurate information is extremely important. If you are in the process of establishing or repairing your credit report, it is also wise to ensure that your credit file with each of the CRA’s is updated and has a complete record of your personal data. For example, your correct name, current address, telephone number, social security number, employment history, etc. If you are currently being sought after by creditors and collection agencies, however, you need to take precautions when requesting your report. The information you provide the CRA when making your request is sure to be included as an update to your file. For example, if you include an unlisted telephone number when making your request, it will be included in your file. As an added precaution, note that CRA’s request verification of residency. A utility bill, such a telephone bill, is acceptable for this verification. Be aware, however, that any and all numbers listed on the telephone bill, including unlisted numbers, may be included on your report. Depending on your particular circumstances, be extremely cautious of what information you provide the credit reporting agencies.

In addition, you can notify the three major credit bureaus that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes. To ask the three major credit bureaus not to share your personal information, write to:

Experian

Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
Telephone: 1-888-397-3742
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST
www.experian.com

Cost of report: $8.00 plus tax (except as noted below)
Residents of Maine $2.00
Residents of Connecticut $5.30
Make check of money order payable to: Experian

In your request, include the following:

Your full name (example, John Q. Public Jr.)
If married, your spouse's first name.

Your home address, including previous addresses for the last 5 years.
Note: Be sure to include apartment number and zip code.
If you have recently moved, you must include 2 proofs of residency.
Acceptable proof includes a copy of utility bill, phone bill, credit card statement or driver's license.

Your social security number and date of birth.

Expect report in 8 to10 business days.

Equifax

Equifax
P.O. Box 105873
Atlanta , GA 30348
Telephone: 1-800-685-1111
24 hour automated service
www.equifax.com

Cost of report: $8.00 (except as noted below)
Residents of Maine $3.00
Residents of Connecticut $7.00
Make check of money order payable to: Equifax

In your request, include the following:

Your full name (example, John Q. Public Jr.)

Your current and former home addresses.
Note: Be sure to include apartment number and zip code.
You must include proofs of residency; a copy of your driver's license or utility bill.

Your social security number and date of birth.

Trans Union

Trans Union Corporation
P.O. Box 390
Springfield , PA 19064-0390
Telephone: 1-800-888-4213
24 hour automated service
www.transunion.com

Cost of report: $8.00 (except as noted below)
Residents of Maine $2.00
Residents of Connecticut $5.00
Residents of the Virgin Island $1.00
Make check of money order payable to: Trans Union

In your request, include the following:

Your full name (example, John Q. Public Jr.)

Your current address, any previous addresses for the last 2 years.
Note: Be sure to include apartment number and zip code.
You must include proofs of residency; a copy of your driver's license or utility bill.

Your social security number and date of birth.

Your current employer and your telephone number.

You must sign your request.

Opt Out 1-888-5-opt out (67-8688)

Many of the unsolicited mailings you receive can be stopped by simply making a 3 minute phone call.  Your name is often obtained from the records that are kept by one of top four (3 major companies listed above) credit reporting agencies.  By making one phone call you can have your name removed for 2 years, permanently remove, or you can have your name listed after having been removed.

"Do Not Call" Registry

The government wants to help consumers stop the barrage of unwanted calls, including phone solicitations for extra services offered by credit card issuers.  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed to establish a national "Do Not Call" registry which will make it illegal for telemarketers to call consumers who place their phone numbers on the national registry.  The FTC is soliciting consumer comments on the proposal to amend the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR).  You can get a copy of the FTC's proposal at www.ftc.gov.  Submit your comments by sending an email to tsr@ftc.gov or by writing to the Office of the Secretary, Room 159, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.  Comments are due by March 29, 2002.

How to Reduce Unwanted Telemarketing Calls Now

If the FTC decides to adopt the proposal and implement a national "do not call" registry, it will be months before it takes effect. However, there are steps you can take right now to reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls that you receive.

1. Ask companies that call you to put you on their company-specific "do not call" list. Existing regulations by both the FTC and the FCC prohibit a telemarketer from calling you after you have asked them to stop calling you.

2. Register with a state "do not call" list: Many states offer "do not call" lists for residents of that state. Rules for how to put your name and number on the list and which telemarketers are covered vary. More information on state "do not call" lists is available from the following phone numbers and websites.

Other states are creating "do not call" lists, while still others encourage consumers to use the Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) Telephone Preference Service.

3. Register with the Direct Marketing Association's Telephone Preference Service: The DMA's Telephone Preference Service allows consumers to opt out of receiving telemarketing calls from many national companies for five years. When you register with the DMA's TPS, your name is put on a "delete" file that is updated four times a year and made available to telephone marketers. You should notice a decrease in the number of telemarketing calls you receive about two or three months after your name is entered into the quarterly file. Remember that your registration will not stop calls from organizations that are not registered with the DMA's Mail and Telephone Preference Services.

To delete your name from many telemarketing lists, write to the DMA. Fax your request to: 212-790-1427; register online at: www.the-dma.org/consumers/offtelephonelist.html; or mail it to either of the following addresses:

Direct Marketing Association
Telephone Preference Service
PO Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014

OR

Preference Service Manager
Direct Marketing Association
1120 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-6700