The FTC has issued a new consumer education brochure, "Your Access to Free
Credit Reports," that explains why it is important for consumers to monitor
their credit history, how to request a report, and how to dispute any errors.
The brochure also reminds consumers that www.annualcreditreport.com will not send them e-mails or use pop-up
advertising to persuade consumers to provide personal information for a free
credit report.
The FTC cautions consumers that e-mails and pop-up ads claiming
to be from www.annualcreditreport.com are unauthorized and could be scams. To be
sure their transaction is secure and their personal information is not at risk,
consumers should close their Internet browser after obtaining their report. The
FTC's brochure is available at
FTC website (www.ftc.gov)
Consumers who use the www.annualcreditreport.com Web site will be able to obtain their free report
online. Consumers also may request a copy of their credit report by phone or
mail – for these methods, consumers must fill out a standardized form. Free
reports will be phased in across the country from west to east over a nine-month
period.
History:
Consumers became eligible on the following schedule:
-
Beginning December 1, 2004: Western states (Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming);
-
Beginning March 1, 2005: Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South
Dakota, and Wisconsin);
-
Beginning June 1, 2005: Southern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, and Texas); and
-
Beginning September 1, 2005: Eastern states (Connecticut, Delaware,
District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Virginia, and West Virginia), Puerto Rico, and all U.S. territories.
Source: FTC, November 30, 2004