Your Credit Report

File a complaint with the FTC

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Just answer a few quick questions then tell them what's been happening to you. Eventually they'll learn NOT to harass us!!!

Almost every day, you're involved in some type of financial transaction requiring an educated decision. This site has information for you, whether you’re shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, checking the accuracy of your credit report, dealing with debt collectors, or looking for ways to protect your personal financial information.

Credit is much more than a piece of plastic, and the resources on this site can help you become a more savvy consumer. This site also has publications for businesses on credit issues and information on credit-related Rules and Acts enforced by the FTC.

To find FTC information and consumer publications on a specific Credit & Loans topic, click on a category name from the list below.

• Your Rights: Credit Reporting
• Credit Cards & Consumer Loans
• Credit Reports & Scoring
• In Debt?
• Mortgages/Real Estate
• Privacy

Know Your Rights

FTC Issues 2008 Fair Debt Collection Practices Report to Congress
Issuance of Commission report to Congress: The Commission has authorized the staff to release publicly the 30th Annual Report to Congress on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). More...

Third-party collectors are regulated by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which is administered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). There are strict guidelines aimed at protecting consumers from abusive or unfair debt collection practices.

You can stop a debt collector from contacting you altogether by writing a letter telling it to stop. Once the collector receives your letter, it may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact. That does not make your debt go away, but it will offer a reprieve from the phone calls.

You can also report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state attorney general's office and the Federal Trade Commission. Many states have their own debt collection laws, and your attorney general's office can help you determine your rights.

Fight Back

File a Complaint
The FTC wants to hear from you if you paid for what you thought was your free annual credit report.

SPAM
The FTC also wants you to forward us any unsolicited emails you’ve received offering you a free annual credit reports. Send them to spam@uce.gov.

annualcreditreport.com will NEVER send you an email solicitation for your free annual credit report, or use pop up ads.

Ordering Your Free Annual Credit Report

The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website, 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, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are only providing free annual credit report  through annualcreditreport.com, 877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Press Releases

8/16/05
Marketer of “Free Credit Reports” Settles FTC Charges
“Free” Reports Tied to Purchase of Other Products;Company to Provide Refunds to Consumers

11/30/04
Free Credit Report Rollout Begins Wednesday
Consumers in 13 Western States May Request Free Annual Reports Beginning December 1

11/23/04
Credit Bureaus Announce How Consumers Can Access Free Credit Reports

9/18/03
Risks of Credit Report Scams Topic of FTC Consumer Alert

Important information from the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency:

is the ONLY authorized online source for you to get a free credit report  under federal law. You can get a free report from each of the three national credit reporting companies every 12 months. Some other sites claim to offer "free" credit reports, but may charge you for another product if you accept a "free" report.

A recent amendment to 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. But there’s only one online source authorized to do so. That’s annualcreditreport.com.

Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar.

Foreclosure Rescue Scams:

Another Potential Stress for Homeowners in Distress

Red Flags

Your are turned down or charged a high interest rate for a loan

For More Information

To learn more about mortgages and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.

Consumer Information

The Only Official Website is annualcreditreport.com [PDF] (en español)

Information for Consumerinfo.com Customers

Your Access to Free Credit Reports [PDF] (en español)

Fake Credit Reports: Cashing in on Your Personal Information [PDF]

Trial Offers: The Deal Is in the Details [PDF]

The FTC has received complaints from consumers who thought they were ordering their free annual credit report online. Some consumers responded to TV ads, email offers, or simply searched online.

The FTC recently settled a lawsuit against Consumerinfo.com – which did business as Experian Consumer Direct – over the “free credit report” promotion it advertised on television, radio and the Internet, including its websites freecreditreport.com and consumerinfo.com. If you ordered a free credit report from Consumerinfo between November 1, 2000 and September 15, 2003, and were enrolled in its credit monitoring program, you may be eligible for a refund under the FTC’s settlement.