#Free Credit Reports

Reviewing your credit report is an important step in taking charge of your financial health. Thankfully, it's about to become much easier for a lot of folks to do just that. As a result of the FTC's ruling under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act, everyone is entitled, once every 12 months, to a free copy of his or her credit reports. Residents of Kentucky will be eligible for this service beginning June 1, 2005.

The FACT Act has required the three credit reporting agencies to establish a centralized source AnnualCreditReport.com from which consumers can request their free reports. Be aware that any credit reports you request from the credit reporting agencies directly, or any other source, may require a fee. Even companies that advertise "free" reports are often using the reports as lures to pull consumers into additional for-fee services that you may not want or need. AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY federally-mandated source for obtaining the free credit information .

Also, note that the reports will not automatically be sent out. Requests may be made online, by calling a toll-free telephone number, or by mail. Here is the contact information:

AnnualCreditReport.com []

Toll-free (877) 322-8228

Complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form [] [PDF - 110KB] and send it to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

Contact the reporting agencies directly, fees may be charged. Equifax [], TransUnion [] and Exper an [].