Have you ever wondered just what kind of information is in your credit report? It's a good idea to contact a credit bureau to get that free copy that each individual bureau is required by Federal law to supply you with each year.
This is about the only way you have of finding out your credit score, or to see if anyone has tried to get a credit card in your name.
In this age of identity fraud, this happens more often than you might think.
Where are the Credit Bureaus? There are four major consumer credit reporting agencies that serve the entire United States.
They are - Equifax 1.
800.
685.
1111 P.
O.
Box 740241 Atlanta, GA30374 TransUnion 1.
800.
888.
4213 P.
O.
Box 1000 Chester, PA19022-1000 Experian 1.
888.
397.
3742 P.
O.
Box 2002 Allen, TX75013 Innovis 1.
800.
540.
2505 P.
O.
Box 1358 Columbus, OH43216 -1358 How do Credit Bureaus Work? When you applied for your very first credit card or loan, one of these four credit bureaus started a file on you, which included where you work and how much your income was at that time.
As you moved up in the world, accumulating more credit cards, mortgage and car loans, and possibly student loans as well, these have kept tabs on you, duly noting each salary increase, job change, each account and payment, and every purchase made on your credit cards.
Whenever you applied for credit, the lender will get your information from the credit bureau.
How Do I Get My Information from a Credit Bureau? By law, you have a right to see your credit file, and not just the once a year free report that each of the four major bureaus offer.
If you have any of the following criteria, you should contact one of the four big guys above at any time.

• Turned down for credit, or denied a job or insurance coverage because of something in your credit file
• If you are out of work, and will be searching for employment during the next 60 days.
  
• If you are on welfare
• If there are any errors in your file because of fraud or identity theft

If you have none of these problems, and just are curious as to what is in your file, the best way to keep a close check on what's going on is to take advantage of the freebies offered by the big four.
Each limits you to one report per year, but you can play the role of smart consumer, and use this rule to your advantage.
Order a report from one company, then in a few months, order another from a different company.
With the proper timing, you can end up with a free credit report four times a year if you contact a different company each time.
Whether you just are curious about what kind of information is in your file, or whether you suspect identity theft, start with any of these four major credit bureaus.
In a world where very little is free, it's nice to know that you can check up on something so important at no charge.