Dear Ohio PIRG supporter, When was the last time you looked at your credit report? Do you know how accurate it is? Your credit report is your financial resume and is used to generate your credit score, which is used in a variety of ways. I want to thank everyone who e-mailed the FTC last week about credit reports. Now I'd like to ask for your help in checking how accurate credit reports are. In 1998, we released a report, titled "Mistakes Do Happen," which showed that nearly one-third of credit reports may contain serious mistakes. We want to update that report, and I'm looking for people who are willing to help by getting their credit report and filling out an online survey about its accuracy. If you're willing to help, here are the 3 steps to take: 1. Let me know you're willing to help. We can answer any questions you have and remind you of the other steps to take. To sign up, click on this link or paste it into your web browser: http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=337&id4=ES 2. Then, order your credit report from one or all of the three credit agencies. You can call Equifax at (800) 685-1111, Experian at (888) 397-3742, or Trans Union at (800) 888-4213. Your credit report should be free in CO, GA, MA, MD, ME, NJ and VT, and cost around $9 in other states. Consumers everywhere also qualify for a free report if you are unemployed and looking for work, collecting welfare benefits, or think you are a victim of identity theft. Please note: most credit bureaus will want to sell you additional services like a copy of your "credit score" or a package which combines all your information from the three credit bureaus into one report. These extras are not free. You do not need to order them to get your credit report or to participate in our survey. 3. Your credit report should take 4-10 days to arrive. Once it arrives, fill out our credit report survey at: http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=26&id4=ES Please let me know if you have any questions, and thank you for your help. Sincerely, Erin Bowser Ohio PIRG State Director ErinB@ohiopirg.org http://www.OhioPIRG.org P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends. ----------
