Get Your Free ConsumerReport (NAPSA)—Thestart of the New Year is a good time to review your finances. And oneof the best ways to do that is to get copies of your consumerreports. You can obtain a free annual report from the three national credit bureaus. Did you also know you can request information from other nationwide consumerreporting agencies? Here are some times when you may want access to information beyond what you can find in your credit report: *You think someone may have fraudulently cashed checks using your bank account. You are considering applying for insurance. *You are planning to lease an apartment. * You’ve been asked by a potential employer for your written authorization to get your work history. It’s smart to know what’s in your credit report before applying for home financing or an automobile loan. Similarly, there are times whenit’s smart to exercise your right to check other sources of consumerinformation. Working with the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has put togethera list of different types of consumer reporting agencies to contact. By reviewingthelist, consumers can learn about the companies and, most importantly, how to obtain a free consumerreport. Photo credit: iStock.com/maxkabakov The key to understanding your financial position can be at your fingertips. You should check with each of the companies on thelist since they have information based on different types of transactions. “In fact, consumers mayfind that some companies don’t have information about them—for example, if they haven’t rented an apartmentor filed an insuranceclaim. But the data that specialty consumer reporting agencies main- tain is highly regulated and consumers have a right to access it at no cost,” says Stuart Pratt, president and CEO of CDIA. You can find the list on the CFPB’s website (www.consumer finance.gov). Simply type “consumerreporting agencies” into the search box or go to http:// files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201 207_cfpb_list_consumer-reportingagencies. pdf. So take a look at the CFPBlist. In the end, it’s about you—and protecting your consumerrights.
