maintaining your credit

It's important that you review your credit reports from each of three private companies – Equifax, Experian and Trans Union – at least once a year to make sure they are right. Your credit record, and therefore, your credit report may vary from one company to the other.

You don't want your credit score or mortgage application to be based on incorrect information in any of your reports. Simply contact all three companies – or "national credit repositories" – as they are often called – listed below that report on your credit. If you've been denied credit, you can get your credit report for free by following instructions in the written notice you received denying you credit.

Otherwise, you can receive a copy for a fee of $8.00 or less.

If you believe that any one of your credit reports contains mistakes and you wish to dispute or change the mistake, contact the national credit repository that developed the report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the repository must investigate your disputed items within 30 days. You'll also receive written notice of the results of the investigation within five days of its completion, including a copy of your credit report if it has changed based upon the dispute.

Equifax
Credit Information Services
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
Phone: 1 (800) 685-1111
Web Site: "http://www.equifax.com"

Experian
National Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 949
Allen, TX 75013-0949
Phone: 1 (800) 682-7654
Web Site: "http://www.experian.com"
 

Trans Union
National Disclosure Center
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, PA 19064
Phone: 1 (800) 888-4213
Web Site: "http://www.tuc.com"