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Take a look at your credit
report.
Wisconsin residents
are now entitled to obtain a copy of their credit report free of
charge. Recent legislation requires each of the three nationwide
credit reporting agencies to provide a free copy of your credit report each
year.
A credit report contains information on
where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you have been sued,
arrested, or filed bankruptcy. This information is sold to creditors,
insurers, employers and other businesses that use it to evaluate your
applications for credit, insurance, employment or renting a home.
There are three basic reasons to get a
copy of your credit report. First, you will want to make sure the
information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. Second, reviewing your
credit report annually can help guard against identity theft. That is when
someone uses your personal information to commit fraud. Finally, the
information in the report affects your ability to obtain a loan and how much
you will have to pay to borrow.
The credit reporting agencies have
established one central website, toll free number and mailing address
through which you can order your free annual report. To order, click on
http://www.annualcreditreport.com/, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete an
Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report
Request Services, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You may order your
reports from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies at
the same time, or you can order from only one or two. The law allows you to
order one free copy from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies
every twelve months.
Jackson County Bank strongly encourages consumers to
obtain their credit report from each agency on an annual basis. |
