Consumer tips for getting your federally mandated free credit report

Are you tired of receiving e-mails and reading of the scams to get your personal information? One of the newest scams involves a new website that one is led to believe should be accessed for obtaining free credit reports. The major problem with using the internet website is that there are currently 98 imposter sites which have led the World Privacy Forum to recommend that consumers may be better off calling or writing for their free credit report. In Florida, consumers can get a free copy of their credit report in June.

Before you call, click, or mail for your federally mandated free credit report, read these tips to help you avoid potential problems.

Tips for accessing the report online at www.annualcreditreport.com:

The World Privacy Forum does not recommend that you use the online method to access your free credit report as a preferred method. However, if you do decide to retrieve your free credit report via the www.annualcreditreport.com site, please take careful note of these tips.

Tip #1: Beware of Imposter Domains

Check to make sure you are accessing the official annualcreditreport.com site. Many fake, imposter domains have been put up. These domains often are very misleading, and typically will not help you find your way to your federally mandated free credit report.

Tip#2: Do not use a library or public computer to access your free credit report.

Shared computers may inadvertently help share your credit report information with others. Only access your report online via your own computer, or a trusted computer.

Tip#3 Look for pre-checked boxes

If you go online to www.annualcreditreport.com to access your TransUnion credit report, be sure to look for any pre-checked marketing or newsletter offers. As of this writing, TransUnion does have a page that pre-selects you to receive marketing materials. If you decide you do not want these offers, uncheck the box, which is located at the bottom of the TransUnion registration page.

Tip #4: Giving An Email Address is Voluntary

Know that you are not required to give out your email address in order to obtain a federally mandated free credit report.

Tips for Accessing Your Credit Report by Phone :

Tip #5: Ask to mask all but the last four digits of your SSN

When phoning the toll free number (877-322-8228) for a free credit report, ask that only the last four digits of your SSN are displayed.

Tips for Accessing Your Credit Report by Phone and Mail:

Tip #6: Get Your Report Mailed to a Secure Mailbox

If you call for your report or have it mailed to you, have your credit report mailed to a secure mailbox.

Resources for Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission has a wealth of information about who may request a federally mandated credit report, and how. Please visit: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm.

To request your credit report by mail:

· Print out the request form. The form is available at:http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/ycr_free_reports.htm

· Fill out the form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

To request your credit report by phone:

· Call 877-322-8228

To request your credit report online:

· Visit www.annualcreditreport.com by typing or pasting in the address, or by visiting this FTC page: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm

For the detailed World Privacy Forum report about www.annualcreditreport.com, see http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/calldontclick.html

For more information or if you have a question, call Linda Bowman, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Faculty, The University of Florida/IFAS-Santa Rosa County Extension, at 850-623-3868, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm weekdays. Hearing-impaired individuals may call Santa Rosa County Emergency Management Service at 983-5373 (TDD).

Extension Service programs are open to all people without regard to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. The use of trade names in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. It is not a guarantee, warranty, or endorsement of the product name(s) and does not signify that they are approved to the exclusion of others.