The Truth About Your Free Credit Report

The free annual credit report has already made a turn in court. Somehow the meaning of the word "free" is very difficult to understand for some people.The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) 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.You should ask yourself the following questions to see if you are fully informed about your free credit report:How do you order your free credit report?What information do you need to provide to get your free credit report?Why would you want a copy of your free credit report?How long does it take to get your free credit report after you order it?Are there any other situations where you might be eligible for a free credit report?Should you order a free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies?What if you find errors – either inaccuracies or incomplete information – in your free credit report?What can you do if the consumer reporting company or information provider won't correct the information you dispute in your free annual credit report?How long can a consumer reporting company report negative information? Can anyone else get a copy of your free annual credit report?Can your employer get your free annual credit report?