Where to Look for an Online Credit Report? |
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Since March, it is possible to order a free copy of online credit report. But many don't know where to go to order this copy, because of the proliferation of similar-sounding Web sites on the Internet. There are numerous web sites on the internet. If you use Google to search for free online credit report, you'll find site after site. Some of these sites are owned by the major credit reporting bureaus. They offer not only the free online credit report, but they will try to sell you credit-monitoring plans, insurance, advice and many other things related to finance. This seems like a ploy by the credit reporting agencies, to discourage you from applying for a free online credit report, or to make you hand over more personal information, so they can sell it. But the FTC requires the agencies to make the process simple, uncluttered and as minimally intrusive as possible. Also, the agencies are allowed to collect only as much personal information, as necessary to process your request. However, there is the official web site, mandated by Congress, annualcreditreport.com. There, a consumer can order online credit report from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. But you will find this official website only on the third page of search results. But an entry for the Federal Trade Commission, which offers a link to the official site, does better; it is fifth among the search results. In addition, a recent study found that 96 Internet sites have names that are similar or close misspellings of annualcreditreport.com. This causes further confusion for people seeking an online credit report. And some of these sites are owned by pay-per-click domain companies that send consumers to sites that sell credit-related products. So, a consumer who types in www.freecreditreport.com, hoping to get to the official site, finds instead, an offer for $12-a-month credit monitoring package, sold by a company owned by Experian. Experts have questioned the credit bureaus' commitment to consumer education. They say that it's a business that's built on personal information and a lucrative business. So, the credit bureaus are not making it easy for the consumers. According to Equifax, they never intended to make it harder for consumers seeking online credit report. It uses only one Web site, www.equifax.com. Still, it's easy to get confused. An Equifax spokesman admits that "technical difficulties" interfere with links from consumer groups and news organizations to the official site. But they claim that the problem has been corrected. But the free online credit report is currently not available to all US residents. They're being phased in over the years, by region, to prevent the system from being overwhelmed. Also, America has some of the most efficient and consumer friendly measures against incorrect reporting. It also has carefully enforced laws against any improper use of the credit bureau report. So there is no need to worry. Where already available, you can order your online credit report through the official Website, www.annualcreditreport.com, call a toll-free number or write to the Annual Credit Report Request Service. However, there is another option. Instead of ordering a free online credit report from all the three credit report agencies at once, you could consider combining the three reports, so that you receive one free online credit report. This allows you to see how your credit report changes over time and whether mistakes have been corrected. It also makes it easier to catch any identity thefts. If, however, you're considering a large purchase, such as a home or car where your credit score will be used to determine your eligibility, you'll need to get all three, as soon as possible. This is so that you can take care of any potential problems, as soon as possible. |
