#Consumer Sourcebook

Extra Note: Free Credit Report

The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central Web site, toll-free telephone number and mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, click on annualcreditreport.com, call 877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Annualcreditreport.com is only one online source authorized to provide free credit reports under the federal law. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar. Consumers who order their free annual reports online must be sure to correctly spell annualcreditreport.com to avoid being misdirected to other Web sites that offer supposedly free reports, but actually require the purchase of other products.

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