How To Request a Credit Report

Of these 800 credit bureaus more than 500 are either affiliated with or fully owned by one of the three national credit bureaus. This means that they store and distribute credit records through either Equifax, Trans Union or Experian (formerly TRW). The remaining smaller credit bureaus gather their own information.

If a consumer has recently received notice that a consumer report contributed to a denial, that notice will identity the agency providing the report. That is usually the best agency from which to first request a report. The consumer will know for sure that the agency has a file on the consumer. The consumer will also want to know about the nature of that particular report to see there are inaccuracies. In addition, because of the recent adverse use of the report, the disclosure to the consumer will be free.

For a full picture of a consumer's credit record, it is generally advised to request disclosure from all three major reporting agencies, in addition to any of the smaller agencies specifically mentioned in any notice of denial due to a consumer report. Currently, of the three national credit bureaus, only Experian offers a free credit report once a year to any consumer who requests one. This practice will cease March 1, 1997. Experian, Trans Union and Equifax must give a consumer a free copy only if he or she has been denied credit insurance, or employment because of the report. Otherwise, the consumer must pay a fee to see the credit report (up to eight dollars).

Obtaining Disclosure from Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union

For information about ordering reports from Equifax, call 1800-685-1111. If there has been a denial because of an Equifax report within the last sixty days, the consumer can obtain a free report by either calling 404-612-3321 or by requesting the form in writing from Equifax Credit Information Services, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256. A copy of the notice of denial or the name of the creditor will be sufficient verification of the denial.

Otherwise, there will be a charge of $8 (no charge for the first report for Maryland and Vermont residents, $3 for Maine residents; Georgia, Colorado and Massachusetts also control fees). Consumers can use the 800 number to order a file with a major credit card or they can send a check or money order to the address above. Written requests should included the following: full name, date of birth, social security number, and addresses for the past five years.

Experian (formerly TRW) offers consumers one free credit report per year until March 1, 1997. Experian's 800 number, (800) 392-1122, is just for inquiries or if a consumer has been denied credit in the last sixty days. If credit is denied, calling that number with name, address, social security number, and date o~ birth should be sufficient to produce a report. Or send a single letter with a copy of the denial letter to Experian, Attn: NCAC, PO Box 949, Allen, TX 75002-0949. If credit has not been denied, the consumer must make the request in writing and signed. Experian Consumer Assistance, PO Box 8030, Layton, UT 84041. All written requests should include the following: full name(e.s. middle initial, Junior), year of birth, social security number, spouse's first name, addresses of the last five years (with zip codes) and proof of current address (such as a photocopy of a billing statement or a driver's license).

Trans Union provides information about ordering reports at (610)690-4909. If a consumer has been denied credit, insurance, or employment within sixty days because of a Trans Union report, the consumer can order a free report over the telephone by calling (610)690-4909. The consumer will need a copy of the declination letter. Otherwise, a request for the credit report must be written, signed, and accompanied by payment of $8 ($16 for a husband and wife report) sent to Trans Union Corporation, Post Office Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064-0390. Trans Union also has the following regional offices: East, P.O. Box 360, Philadelphia, Pa. 19105, (215)5694582; _Midwest: Consumer Relations, 222 S. First St., Suite 201, Louisville, Ky. 40202, (502)584-0121; West: P.O Box 3110 Fullerton, Calif. 92634, (714) 738-3800.

The request should include the consumer's and spouse's full name, date of birth, social security number, current address and addresses for the last two years, current employer and telephone number.

If a consumer wants to go to the reporting agency in person, the three major reporting agencies have about 150 offices around the country, and an additional 450 independent affiliates. There are also more than 300 unaffiliated credit bureaus. The best way to find the name and address of credit bureaus in a consumer's vicinity is to look in the telephone yellow pages.

Information Consumer Should Request

The consumer can request the nature and substance or a information in the reporting agency's files on the consumer at the time of the request (with the exception of medical information), the sources of information (with an exception for source of investigational consumer reports), and the recipients of any consumer report on the consumer within designated time frames. The consumer simply requests disclosure, without specifying which piece of information is sought, the reporting agency must disclose all three of these types of information.

The major credit bureaus claim to respond to requests as little as several working days or as long as three weeks. Nevertheless, consumers should expect to wait as long as a month after making a request to obtain a credit report. Sometimes state law specifies the time period the agency has to respond.