How to Order a Credit Report By Mail -- Sample Letters
When you order a copy of your credit report from one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) you are required to provide them with specific information to verify that you are who you claim to be. Credit reporting agencies must be very diligent about verifying your identity to prevent unauthorized persons from obtaining your credit report.
For this reason, one must always provide the following information to a credit reporting agency or they will reject your request to receive a copy of your credit report. Include the information below on any correspondence you send to a credit reporting agency or have it ready when you telephone --
Your full legal name: John Mitchell Doe, Sr.
Your current address: 111 East Main Street, Anytown, NY 12345
Your former address: Include only if you have not lived at your current address for 3 yrs.
Your social security number: 000-00-0000
Your birthdate: September 1, 1970
You might also be asked for your driver's license number, a copy of a utility or phone bill, or for other information to verify your identity.
If you have recently moved or the credit reporting agency does not have a record of your most current address, there will be a delay in receiving your credit report since they will have to verify that you are indeed who you claim to be. To speed up the process, send a copy of your I.D. with your current address to them when you request your credit report.
Sample letters requesting a copy of a credit report are below. Several of the sample letters request a free credit report and others offer to pay a fee; however, you should never have to pay for a credit report since you are entitled to a free credit report from each credit bureau once a year and you are also entitled to a free credit report if you are the victim of identity theft, fraud, denial of credit or financing of any kind, or have been denied housing or employment based on information in your credit report (more details).
Sample Letter #1 -- Request a free credit report because you were recently denied credit:
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am requesting that you send me a free copy of my credit report. I was recently denied credit by the Acme Credit Card Company based on information contained in my credit report with your agency. As proof, I have attached a copy of the letter from Acme denying me credit. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John M. Doe, Sr. [You must sign the letter]
Sample Letter #2 -- Pay for a credit report
Please send me a copy of my credit report. Attached you will find my check to cover the $0.00 fee. Note that I recently moved from 1234 James Street, Anytown, Texas to 1111 Blah Street, Anytown, ST 12345. I have attached a copy of my driver's license with my new address for identity verification purposes. My new telephone number is (000) 000-0000.
Please call me if you need additional information to verify my identity before sending my credit report to my new address.
Sample Letter #3 -- Request a free credit report because you're unemployed
Please send me a copy of my credit report. I am currently unemployed and am looking for work. I understand that under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, I am entitled to a free copy of my credit report because I am currently unemployed and am searching for employment. Attached is a copy of my recent application for unemployment benefits as proof of my eligibility to receive a free copy of my credit report. Thank you.
Note: Instead of an application for unemployment benefits, you could send a copy of the document dismissing you from your job, such as a pink slip or lay-off notification.
Sample Letter #4 -- Request a free credit report because you suspect identity theft
I am requesting a free copy of my credit report because I suspect that someone has tried to open accounts in my name and I need a copy of my credit report to do an identity theft investigation. I have already contacted your agency and requested a fraud alert and credit freeze be placed on my credit report.
Several of the letters above request a free credit report. Find out if you qualify for a free credit report. You can also order a copy of your credit report online and view it immediately; however, there is normally a fee associated with this service.
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