As part of the updated Fair Credit Reporting Act (FACTA) passed in January 2004, U.S. citizens have the right to anual free credit reports from all three major reporting agencies. The program expanded to Pennsylvania on September 1, 2005.

The central site. www.annualcreditreport.com, allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and Transunion.

You can request your credit report three ways: Over the internet by going to www.annualcreditreport.com; by phone, by calling toll-free at 1-877-322-8228; or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form, located on the Federal Trade Commission web site, and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA, 30348-5281.