[Nfbc-info] Free and accessible credit reports!

[Jennifer Boylan]

Dear Serena and List:

I went on the free credit report website and found it accessible for the most part.  The website warned of links or ads you might want to go to that may not be accessible with screen-readers.  You can view and read through your report on the site, printing it if wished.  The option to view the report online for 30 days is not accessible for some reason.  The CAPSIA offers an accessible page where you call an 800 number and enter a code provided to get the text for the box.  Only area in application process which was not readable was the names of the 3 companies next to the check boxes from which you are requesting the report(s).I checked the first box only and found out it was Equifax when I was transferred to their page.  On the whole, it was a refreshing read compared to some out there.

One more note.  I was listening to Clark Howard's show and he had a recommendation for those of us on a budget.  Since there are a total of 3 free credit reports available each year (1 from each of 3 companies), get a report from 1 company every 4 months to get a feel for your credit situation free and more frequently throughout the year on a set schedule.  Thought I'd share.

Jennifer 

--- On Fri, 1/15/10, Serena Olsen <olsen.serena at gmail.com> wrote:

> From: Serena Olsen <olsen.serena at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Nfbc-info] Free and accessible credit reports!
> To: "nfbc-info" <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Friday, January 15, 2010, 10:23 AM
> Exciting news for those who are
> conscious and concerned about their
> credit histories (have you checked recently?  I almost
> always find
> errors and suspicious items...scary!).  I have longed
> searched for the
> elusive once-yearly truly free credit report we are due by
> law (Fair
> and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, or FACTA)
> from one of
> the three major credit reporting agencies and they finally
> appear to
> have gotten their act together to make it available, and
> it's
> accessible to the blind!
> 
> It is a combined effort of Experian, Equifax, and
> TransUnion.  You can
> download and print online, request by phone, or request in
> writing any
> or all of your reports from these companies once a
> year--FREE.  I was
> dubious of the accessibility of the online version and
> currently have
> no printer, so I opted to call and order a print version to
> be mailed
> to me.  It is an automated system that is not too long
> or
> frustrating--relatively quick and simple--and I was
> thrilled to
> encounter an option for receiving it in braille or large
> print, so my
> braille version should be arriving in a couple of weeks!
> 
> If you've never checked your credit report, you'd be amazed
> at some of
> the errors and inconsistencies that can be found there, and
> in times
> when fraud and identity theft are so prevalent, it's a good
> idea to
> keep tabs on this stuff, especially if you are job hunting,
> like
> me...employers read this stuff!!
> 
> Here's the 411:
> www.annualcreditreport.com
> 877.322.8228
> 
> Someone check their online version and report back about
> accessibility!
> 
> Enjoy,
> 
> -- 
> Serena Olsen, MAIPS
> 
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