Your Credit Report (NAPSA)—Schoolwill be out soon and that means summervacation planning for families. Before planning your vacation, financial experts recommend reviewing your finances by getting a FREE annual credit report from Equi- fax, Experian and/or TransUnion at www.annualcreditreport.com. One credit reporting agency survey showed that 72 percent of consumers spent more on their vacation than planned. ‘The majority of that expense wasput on their credit cards. Checking yourcredit report periodically can help you understand yourfinancial situation whenbudgeting for a vacation or other large expense. While most consumers know they can get a free credit report every year, only three in five do so. “Each year, there are over 25 million free credit reports provided to consumers,” said Eric J. Ellman, Interim President and CEO of the Consumer Data Industry Asso- ciation. “Even so, many consumers, un- fortunately, don't exercise their right to review their free annual credit reports.” The National Consumer Assistance Plan, an unprecedented program by the three nationwide credit reporting agencies in cooperation with the New York You may have morefun on your next vacation if you check your credit first so you know whatyou can afford. standing oftheir credit reportsis a priority for the industry. By reviewing your credit report every year, you can check up on your financial health as well as identify issues that might cause a credit deniallater. When reviewing your credit reports, if you see information you don't recognize, notify the credit reporting agency right away. All three of the nationwide credit reporting agencies can be accessed online, by phoneor by mail. Whichever method you choose, the credit reporting agency will investigate disputed information and respond back to you withtheresults. Go get your FREE annual credit Office of the Attorney General, has been report from Equifax, Experian and/or abouthowtogettheir free annualcredit reports. Improving consumers’ under- com. Make this summer a happy and credit-healthy one. instrumental in educating consumers TransUnion at www.annualcreditreport. Note to Editors: The credit bureaus are implementing a National ConsumerAssistance Plan in New York state. It will be going countrywide. While the information is relevant and can benefit people throughout the United States, it may be ofparticular interest to news outlets in New York.
