How to receive a free credit report from Transunion

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By Nicole Rosen
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Everyone in the United States is entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once a calendar year. In order, to receive this credit report you must visit a special website designed to handle the requests (see below for address). If you have already received your yearly report from Transunion and you want another report from them for free - just request it. You must meet one of their three criteria for ordering a free credit report, but most of America meets one of the them all the time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Telephone
10-20 minutes of time
These Instructions
Basic Identifiable information about the person you are ordering the report for.

Step 1

Gather up the following information and items: address, social security number, pen, paper and telephone. If embarking on a credit repair journey, then also grab a copy of the tracking sheet. The free credit report can be accessed online or by requesting one through the automated systems listed below. Transunion will send a credit report for FREE; but will charge you for the score (optional product). The conditions that must have been met are as follows (meet one or all of them - and no proof is required): (1) Denied Credit in the past 60 days, (2) Negative Change in credit limits (I.E. credit card company decreases credit limit), or (3) Insurance premium changed.
Step 2

Call Transunion at (800) 916 - 8800 and follow the prompts. The correct prompts are listed and is current as of April 2008.
Step 3

Chose Option 1.
Step 4

Chose Option 2.
Step 5

The system will now request current zip code; can either speak it or enter it. After entering the current zip code; the computer will read the zip code back and ask if its correct. The caller can then say 'yes' or 'no'. Alternatively, press 1 for yes or 2 for no.
Step 6

Option 2 (can either say or enter).
Step 7

Enter the Social Security number of the person whose information needs to be one the credit report (hopefully, you are only ordering your own credit report or that of a spouse, with their permission). Again, speak or enter the numbers. After entering the Social Security number; the computer will read the zip code back and ask if its correct. The caller can then say 'yes' or 'no'. Alternatively, press 1 for yes or 2 for no.
Step 8

The next piece of information request is the six digit date of birth; at this time you can only enter the date by using the key pad on the telephone. Once again, the computer reads the entry back to you and asks that it be verified as correct (press 1 or say yes) or incorrect (press 2 or say no).
Step 9

The final piece of information needed for this request of a free credit report direct from Transunion is the numeric portion of your address (Example: house number only). Use the key pad on the phone to enter this number as the system will not take this entry verbally.
Step 10

If you want to receive a copy of your credit score from Transunion; please say 'yes' at this prompt - there will be a charge for this score. If not, say 'no'.
Step 11

Transunion does not provide a confirmation number and the automated system automatically ends the call after telling you that you will receive your report in 6-10 working days. If using the tracking sheet mentioned above instead of writing down a confirmation number simply write down the date and time of the request