You can order a credit report from one of the three credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Their contact information is in the box to the right. When you order the report, you will have to provide your Social Security Number, date of birth, current and previous addresses for the past five years and maiden name, if applicable.

Equifax 1-800-685-111 www.equifax.com Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta , GA 30374 Experian 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) www.experian.com Trans Union 1-800-916-8800 www.transunion.com TransUnion Post Office Box 2000 Chester , PA 19022

The credit reporting agencies must provide an individual with a free report any time they have been denied credit by a lender. Beginning September 1, 2005, individuals are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months. This is a new regulation under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). To read more about FACTA and FCRA, go to the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site: www.ftc.gov.

Once you get your credit report, you may need some help understanding what it says. There are several organizations, including nonprofit credit counseling agencies in Memphis that can help you. You can also call the credit-reporting agency.