Over a decade ago, U.S. citizens were entitled to a free credit report every year. Let's review the history and see where you can get your free credit file. Also, we will discuss which credit report data is best avoided.

A Brief History Of The Free Credit Report Law

Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act allowed everyone to get a free credit report each year. It was an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a 1970 law. It was approved by Congress in December 2003.

FACTA (Federal Trade Commission), was the agency that enforced the law at the time it became law. In response to the financial crisis of 2007-2008, the CFPB was created in July 2011.

Under FACTA, the three major credit bureaus -- Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.

Get Your Free Credit Report

To get your free credit report once per year, visit AnnualCreditReport.com, and request your report.

You may request your credit report online by calling 877-322-88228 or by mail by filling out this form.

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281

Atlanta, GA 32348-5281

No Matter If You Order It Online Or Over The Phone, The Following Information Will Be Required:

• Full name

• Social security number

• Date and place of birth

• Current mailing address

• Please provide your old mailing address if you have been living at your current address for less than two years.

FACTA Disclosures - What You Get On Your Credit Report

An annual, free service that provides a detailed credit report. The report includes a history and summary of all open or closed accounts.

Here Are Some Examples Of Illegal Activity:

• Don't open accounts that you don't know about. If your identity is stolen, this could happen.

• Late payments to accounts you don't even know exist. It could be that you forgot to pay your bill while you were away or that your autopay was not properly processed.

• Some accounts have been received by Collections that you may not even be aware of. The ticket issuer might still send the ticket to collections.

• Tax liens can be a problem if your tax preparer, or you, have calculated your tax return incorrectly.

You have the option to monitor your credit report each year in order to manage and control these issues before you apply for a loan or any other credit approvals.

You will be asked to contact your original creditor if you discover any errors in credit reports.

Credit-related questions can be asked of your mortgage lender.