credit card report

In addition, it can be accessed by potential employers with written consent from you. Also government bodies may check if you are applying for various licenses or benefits.

How can you access this information? Under the 2003 Fair Credit Reporting Act every US citizen is entitled to one free copy of their credit report every twelve months. You can obtain this by writing to any of the credit referencing agencies: Experian, Equifax and Trans Union and requesting it. It is not entirely free however, as they are entitled to charge an administration fee of $10.

In the UK you may request a copy of either your credit score or credit report at any time under the 1974 Consumer Credit Act. The British referencing agencies are: Experian, Equifax and Callcredit and the administration fee is £2.