How do I obtain a free credit report?
To receive a free annual credit report, you can visit www.annualcreditreport.com. Alternatively, you can call or send a written request to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
Post Office Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
877-322-8228
Federal law allows you to get a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each credit reporting agency.
If you think there is an error in your credit report and want to correct it, then you must contact the particular credit reporting agency directly:
Equifax: 800-685-1111
Experian: 888-397-3742
TransUnion: 800-916-8800
For more information on disputing credit reporting errors, reestablishing credit, and addressing credit problems, please either:
visit the Federal Trade Commission website or
contact its Bureau of Consumer Protection at 877-382-4357.
How long does a bankruptcy case stay on my credit report?
A bankruptcy will generally affect your credit rating for 7 to 10 years. However, this depends entirely on the individual credit reporting agency.
Credit reporting agencies are subject to and governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a federal law. However, the Bankruptcy Court does not control the type of information that an agency reports or how long an agency keeps a filing in its records.
It is important to remember that a bankruptcy filing will not help your credit score. However, if you are not able to pay all of your debts as they become due, then delinquent payments, missed payments, and defaults will also have a negative effect on your credit score.