How to get a free credit report from Equifax

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By Nicole Rosen
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Each person is entitled to on free credit report from each of the 3 major credit reporting agencies every year. They have set-up a special site; just for this purpose. Once that free report is used up; what do you do to get a free credit report? This article will explain how to check your credit for free and receive a free copy of your credit report either online or in the mail.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Telephone
Time
Tracking Sheet (optional)

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. Equifax credit reporting agency 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 Equifax at (888) 685 – 1111 and follow the prompts. The correct prompts are listed and is current as of April 2008.
Step 3

Chose Option 2.
Step 4

The system will now request current zip code; can either speak it or enter it.
Step 5

The next piece of information needed for this request of a free credit report direct from Equifax is the numeric portion of your address (Example: house number only). This entry can either be spoken or entered using the keypad on the phone.
Step 6

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 as the computer can process the data either way.
Step 7

Chose option 3 if you only want your credit file sent.
Step 8

Chose option 3 again as Equifax tries to upsell the caller on purchasing their credit score.
Step 9

Chose option 2 - the system verifies that there is no charge for the report. If you chose to order a credit score (which is optional and does cost); then this option could be different.
Step 10

If you want to hide all but the last four digits of you social security number on the free credit report then chose option 1.
Step 11

Finally, the Equifax system gives you a confirmation number. Write this number down on your tracking sheet. If for some reason you don't receive your credit report this is the only proof you have that you did indeed request a free credit report. To repeat the confirmation number; press the * key on the telephone keypad.