Obtaining Free Credit Reports Did you know that you can obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies? It's true! Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act), consumers can request and obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion created AnnualCreditReport.com, a centralized service where consumers can easily request their free annual credit reports. Regularly checking your credit report can help you quickly identify fraudulant activity and provide greater identity theft protection. To order your free annual report from one or all the national consumer reporting companies, visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com, call toll-free 877-322-8228 or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form. The Annual Credit Report Request Service form is available on the AnnualCreditReport.com web site. Please note that the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies will not provide free annual credit reports if contacted directly. Other Ways to Qualify Under federal law, you are also entitled to one free report a year if: | • | If a company takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance or employment, and you request your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice should give you the name, address, and phone number of the consumer reporting company that supplied the information about you. | | • | You are unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days | | • | You are on welfare | | • | Your report is inaccurate because of fraud |
Remember that investigating your credit history today can help you avoid credit related problems in the future. Free Financial Counseling After you receive your credit report, take advantage of no cost financial counseling. Members of USA Federal Credit Union qualify for free financial counseling through BALANCE. BALANCE offers a Credit Report Review counseling session where a reviewer will examine and clarify the information in your credit report and give you detailed information about ways to improve your credit standing. | 
