Facts about an annual credit report request

If you review your credit reports, then it can help you help you in detecting any fraudulent activity at an earlier stage and even allow you to take effective steps for limiting or eliminating the headaches that one might encounter if he or she is a victim of identity theft. Getting an annual credit report can be considered similar to getting an annual check up done. With the advancement in technology and Internet the process of making an annual credit report request has become easier.

During past years if you wanted to get a copy of your credit report then you would have had to spend approximately 9 dollars, but today consumers are entitled of getting a free copy of their annual credit report. This has become possible due to a law passed in 2003 by United State’s Congress-the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA). According to this law an American citizen has the right to avail a copy of their credit report every twelve months. They just need to log on to the concerned website or make an annual credit report request separately from the three major credit reporting agencies.

If you are ordering or making an annual credit report request online then you need to be aware of few things. Make sure that you do not become a victim of banner ads, e-mails, pop under Internet ads, pop ups and telemarketing calls promising to obtain your “free annual credit report” on your behalf. You will have to proceed with caution if you are thinking about ordering online free annual credit report. Do not order credit reports online, if you are not certain that adequate safeguards exist to prevent shoulder surfing and storing your sensitive information on the computer.

If you are ordering it by mail or phone then make sure that the address you are providing for receiving your credit report has a secure mailbox. Locking mailboxes can be purchased at a local hardware store. Getting an annual credit report request is essential to help ensure one’s financial well-being. It can help you fix inaccurate credit data as early as possible to your advantage. And best of all, this credit repair tool is free.