"The box was a universe, a poem, frozen on the boundaries of human experience."William Gibson
|
| |
Get Out of Debt
It is said that a pet tiger cub can become dangerous if it tastes blood. It will stop at killing no one, not even the people who brought it up. Similarly, once we get the taste of money and the freedom of purchasing through credit, we seem to know no ...
Moneynet Warns Consumers May Be Caught Short By ID Theft Protection Products
Bank account and credit card holders are being advised not to be lulled into a false sense of security just because they have signed up with a provider’s fraud protection policy.With the growing threat of ID theft in the shape of bank account and credit ...
When the Levee Breaks, a selfish look at the financial effects of Katrina and how many more fuel increases we can take
The aftermath of Katrina has affected more that just New Orleans and the surrounding gulf coast. There are huge financial implications associated with the catastrophe, from the initial humanitarian aid to the rebuilding and repairing needed to get the ...
|
|
|
| |
Yes, you can now get your credit report without paying a dime. And unlike before, now it is truly free. No longer do you have to sign up for a "free" credit report by signing up for "credit monitoring protection service" for a low annual fee of $79 a year! The days of dodging the annoying charges and service fees for a free credit report are over.
Under the 2003 Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, you have the right to a free copy of your credit report within a 12 month period from the big three credit report bureaus (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion).
The goal of this new government act is to ensure that Americans have the right to stay informed about what these three credit reporting bureaus say about you without having to pay for it. Since identity theft, fraud and errors are quite common today, why should you have to pay for a copy of a report to fight back against these problems?
Here are the 3 ways to get your free annual credit report:
The three credit reporting agencies have created a website to request your annual credit report.
1) Go to www.annualcreditreport.c om
2) Call (877) 322-8228 to request your free credit report.
3) Complete a form from the Federal Trade Comission, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/include/requestformfinal.pdf and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
If you go directly to the three agencies or use any other type of service you may end up having to pay or sign up for the subscription services I mentioned above! Make sure you use one of the 3 methods I have listed to get your annual free credit report.
You can get the reports from all 3 agencies at once or stagger the reports from each one during the course of 1 year. The advantage of staggering the reports that you receive is to keep track of how any major changes in your financial picture affect what is on your credit report. For example, if you plan on getting a second mortgage over the coming year, or applying for student loans, ect. it might be wise to get a report before and after these major events!
This new Act does not supplant the other methods you can take advantage of to receive a free credit report. If you are applying for unemployment or been denied a loan, or need a credit report in order to get a job, you still have the right to obtain a free credit report.
Take advantage of this new government regulation and make sure all of the information listed by all three credit reporting agencies are correct. Any errors or omissions can reduce your credit score and end up costing you a lot of money when you apply for any type of credit.
About the author:
Greg Quincy is the publisher of the website http://www.financialtipsforyou.com, offering his insights and personal finance budget tips that he has gained from working in the financial industry and the economic challenges of raising a family. Copyright © 2005 http://www.FinancialTipsForYou.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Personal Finance - persfin.co.za/
Financial information previously published in the print version of Forbes.
The strong offer better protection - Personal Finance
If your medical scheme is liquidated, you could be faced with unpaid medical bills, and unsympathetic service providers will come knocking on your door for outstanding amounts. It is important, therefore, to choose a scheme that is financially strong ...
Whether Lisps offer you real choice is open to question - Personal Finance
Recently I wrote about how the new life assurance commission regulations can be side-stepped via the linked-investment service provider (Lisp) industry. Lisps are supposed to be administration platforms that enable you to access numerous investments ...
Go for the option that suits your lifestyle - Personal Finance
Once you have compiled a shortlist of schemes that are financially stable, have a good membership profile and are governed soundly, you need to look at the options available on those schemes. Consider your healthcare needs and those of your family ...
Rules must guide trustees' benefit payout decisions - Personal Finance
Retirement fund trustees need to apply their minds and stick to the fund's rules when reaching decisions, Mamodupi Mohlala, the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA), says in her latest determinations. In two determinations, Mohlala overturned decisions by ...
|
