There is as much misinformation about obtaining your credit report as there are companies who will provide them to you. One of the biggest myths is that you must pay to get a copy of your credit report. CareOne Credit tackles this common assumption on their website and has the following to say

True or False: The only way to view your credit report is to purchase a copy from one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Trans Union, or Experian).

FALSE. The three major credit-reporting agencies, Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian, are each required to provide consumers, upon request, a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months.

You have three options to obtain your free copy:

• Go to AnnualCreditReport.com
• Call (877) 322-8228
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to obtain a copy of the Annual Credit Report Request brochure. You can fill out the form on the back of the brochure and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
  • To request the brochure, you can contact the FTC by phone: at 1-877-FTC-HELP, or download the form at: www.annualcreditreport.com

Well, folks, there you have it. Another money myth dispelled. This happens to be an important money myth because many people never see their credit report for fear of the cost. This allows for errors that could be addressed to never see the light of day thus hurting the consumer for reasons they are not even aware.

So, if you haven’t seen your credit report in eight years or worse still, NEVER, please follow the above steps and order your free credit reports today.

For more information, visit CareOne Credit.

Tags | consumers, credit report, credit report requests, credit reporting agencies, federal trade commission, free credit reports, ftc, mail, money, obtaining your credit reports, three major credit reporting agencies