This was an article from the Washington Post on February 10, 2004.
Consummate Consumer
In Md., Credit Reports Come Free but Not Easy
by Don Oldenburg, Washington Post Staff Writer
Ernie Root knew Maryland law entitles him to a free credit report every 12 months, but the Silver Spring retiree says he never knew how to obtain one.
He tried calling the credit bureaus, but their automated systems don't explain how to order a free report. He tried online and found no plain-as-day directions. "It surely was not apparent from poking around in the reporting services' Web sites," he says.
So Root contacted the Consumate Consumer for help. Instead, he got (and accepted) a challenge: Poke around some more, and report back on exactly how difficult it is to order a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus.
Root has reported his findings, saying, "I am sure that I am not the only one who has puzzled over this."
* Equifax's Web site offers plenty of products and package deals but no clear-cut link for the freebies, says Root. Under "Get Your Credit Report," click "Equifax Credit Report" and you are linked to a page promoting $9 reports - but no mention of a free report.
Root says he eventually clicked on "FCRA" listed in small type by the copyright at the bottom of the home page. That opened a long explanation of consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. "In the middle of this page is a list of costs for a credit report," says Root, "and Maryland is noted as 'one free in a 12-month period' if ordered by mail." Also listed is an address and toll-free phone number for ordering one.
* Root says TransUnion's Web site is more straightforward. Clicking on "Personal Solutions" at the top of the home page displays six ordering options. Above the "TransUnion Personal Credit Report" order box is a line of small type: "Under certain circumstances you may be entitled to a free personal credit report."
Click that line and you get a page explaining who is eligible. It links to a toll-free number and a printable order form to mail in. None of the credit bureaus, Root discovered, provides free reports online - only by phone or mail.
* Experian's Web site was "considerably more difficult" than the other two, says Root.
Exasperated, he finally clicked "Contact Us" and found a "Frequently Asked Questions" section. One was about getting a free report when turned down for a loan. Close enough. He phoned that number, keyed in his Social Security number, street address numbers and Zip code, and was offered a free report. He ordered it.
Ernie Root's final analysis: While it should be easier and more clearly marked, ordering his free credit reports "was not as difficult as I thought it might be."
Five states besides Maryland (Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont) have laws entitling residents to free reports. In addition, certain circumstances entitle consumers to free reports: among them, when your application for credit, mortgage, insurance or a job is turned down; when you are unemployed but plan to look for a job within 60 days; and when you believe you're a victim of fraud. Otherwise, the credit bureaus can charge up to $9 per report.
But there's good news: The Fair and Accurate Credit transactions Act (FACT Act), signed into law in December by President Bush, will one day give everyone the right to get a free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus.
The intent of the law is to entice consumers to get their freebie, then monitor them for costly errors and irregularities that might disclose identity theft is underway. A survey conducted last year by the Consumer Federation of America found only 43 percent of Americans had obtained their credit report in the preceding two years.
But the FACT Act doesn't kick in immediately. The law gives federal regulators up to six months to devise procedures. The credit bureaus get six more months to comply. The complexities of tens of millions of Americans ordering free credit reports without jamming the system means some consumers may be able to order their first reports in late 2004, but most others probably in 2005.
Meanwhile, if you Google the phrase "free credit report," you'll find hundreds, maybe thousands, of Internet sites offering "instantaneous free credit reports online." Even the credit bureaus offer such deals.
But there's a catch: Accepting the offer signs you up for something else - usually a 30-day free trial of a credit monitoring service, which must be cancelled within the first 30 days or your credit card is billed for a year of service.
Got questions? A consumer complaint? E-mail details to oldenburgd@washpost.com or write Don Oldenburg, The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
For more information on credit reports, see the FTC's online publication at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/bbcr.htm.
To get your credit report, contact each of the major credit bureaus:
