While getting your credit report is fairly easy, getting your score can be a little trickier. Make sure any company you pay to send you your credit report is also sending you your credit score, so you know the exact numbers that lenders are receiving. While you are entitled to a free credit report once every 12-month period from each of the credit reporting agencies (Fair Credit Reporting Act), this does not include the score. Most credit companies will charge you a minimal fee* to include the score.

Credit Reporting Agencies

Credit Reporting Agencies collect information about you and your credit history from public records, your creditors and other reliable sources. These agencies make your credit history available to your current and prospective creditors and employers as allowed by law. Credit agencies do not grant or deny credit.

Equifax
PO Box 105873
Atlanta, GA 30348
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com

Experian
PO Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
Consumer Credit Questions
888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
www.experian.com

Trans-Union
Post Office Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022
(800) 888-4213
www.transunion.com

* The Federal Trade Commission increased the maximum allowable charge to $9.00, effective January 1, 2002. 66 Fed. Reg. 63545 (Dec. 7, 2001).