How Do I Get My Government Credit Report?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, entitles you to a free copy of your own government credit report every year. You are assured of the privacy and accuracy of information when you deal with the authorized consumer reporting companies.

Your credit report has information like where you live, how your bills are paid, whether you have been bankrupt, sued or arrested. The consumer reporting agencies sell your credit report to companies that need the information to help them make decisions about whether to lend you money, extend you credit, rent you a property, offer you insurance or give you a job.

There are several reasons why you might need your credit report. If you are going to apply for a loan, get insurance or go for a job, you might want to ensure that the information contained in your credit report is accurate and correct. Your report contains some information that can affect your ability to be approved for a loan and the cost of that loan to you.

Checking your credit report annually is also a precaution against identity theft. Also, if you have had credit declined, your credit report could contain information that will tell you the reason this happened.

You are protected by the Act and have certain rights as well. At this time, there are three consumer reporting agencies nationally, but they are combined under one mailing address, toll free number and website. You have the right to apply for a credit report from each of these agencies, once every year.

Go to the website at annualcreditreport. Com to get all the information you need. You will have to download an application to fill in and send back, or you can call the toll free number and ask for one to be sent to you. You will need to supply information like name, address, date-of-birth, social security number. If you have moved recently, your old address should be included. Before your request is filled, you may be asked to identify yourself by answering questions only you know the answer to.

This is the only website legally authorized to provide your government credit report, so beware of other websites that try to lure you into giving out personal details or handing over some money. You will not need to “subscribe” to anything to get your free credit report, so any website that asks for you to “sign up” is not genuine. These websites have no access to your credit report anyway.

You privacy is assured under the FCRA, and you will never receive emails or letters from the authorized website when you apply for your government credit report.