How to Obtain Your Free Credit Report

After March 1, 2005, Wisconsin residents will be able to obtain a free copy of their credit report, once every 12 months, from each of the three national credit reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. The free report is available only through a centralized website, phone number, and address established by Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. You can request your free credit report by visiting the website www.annualcreditreport.com, calling 1-877-322-8228, or completing the annual credit report request form available at www.ftc.gov/credit and mailing it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You have the option of ordering a credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies at the same time or you may stagger your requests during the 12-month period.

In order to get your free report, you must furnish proper identification information before the credit reporting agency will send you the report. Be prepared to provide your full name, date of birth, social security number, and current address. Furthermore, for your security, Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union may ask you for information that only you would have knowledge of, e.g. a previous address or monthly mortgage payment.

If you request a credit report via www.annualcreditreport.com, you should have immediate access to the report. If you request a credit report by way of the toll free number (1-877-322-8228), the report should be mailed to you within 15 days. If you request a report by mail using the annual credit report request form available at www.ftc.gov/credit, the report should be mailed to you within 15 days of receipt.

You are also entitled to a free copy of your credit report if you were denied credit, insurance, or a job due to information on your credit report, and you contact the credit reporting agency in writing within 60 days of the denial (see Sample letter to request report). The denial notice will provide the name, address, and phone number of the credit reporting agency. In addition, you may receive one free report a year if you are unemployed and looking for employment within 60 days; if you are on welfare; or if your credit report is inaccurate due to fraud, including identity theft.

If necessary, you may obtain a copy of your credit report directly from a credit reporting agency. The credit reporting agency, however, may charge you up to $9.50 for a copy of the report. To purchase a copy of your credit report, contact one of the following credit reporting agencies:

Equifax
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com

Experian
888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
www.experian.com

Trans Union
800-916-8800
www.transunion.com

With respect to credit reporting agencies, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If you have concerns regarding your credit report or credit reporting agencies, please contact the FTC at www.ftc.gov or call toll free 1-877-382-4357.