"Free Credit File Request Forms Available On Internet"

Consumers Urged To Check Their Credit Files Yearly!
US-PIRG study says one in three 
credit reports contain serious errors!

CONTACT: Paul Richard, RFC, ICFE Executive Director

San Diego, CA.  "American consumers are strongly urged to monitor all of their credit files very closely," says the Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE), a nonprofit group based in San Diego, CA., "because up to one third of all credit reports contain errors." The ICFE  helps consumers nationwide avoid credit file problems in addition to credit repair frauds and rip-offs through its Web sites: www.icfe.info  and www.credit-repair-books.com.

"A recent study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US-PIRG) found that one in three credit files checked by consumers contained serious errors, incomplete information and old data," says Paul Richard, RFC, ICFE executive director. Ed Mierzwinski, PIRG consumer program director, said "These errors could cause unfair denial of a car  loan, a mortgage or even a job."  ( www.pirg.org/consumer/credit/ )

"More often than not, the mistakes are not significant enough in nature to cause a denial of credit. But there are those circumstances, when that can happen, and often at the most inopportune time. An error or omission can also cause denial of credit, for an apartment, a credit union loan, or a life insurance or motor vehicle insurance policy," the ICFE's Richard noted.

"The ICFE is making available 'credit file request' forms to consumers on the Internet. Other helpful information on how credit files are created and maintained is also there. Now, if you are the victim of credit fraud, or unemployed, or on welfare, or if you have been denied credit, your credit report is free, otherwise they will cost $8 to $9 each, unless you live in a state which mandates a lower cost.

The 'credit file request' forms have spaces for all the initial information needed by credit reporting agencies to locate your individual credit files. They also include the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the major credit reporting agencies operating in the United States. To obtain the free 'credit file request' forms visit the ICFE's Web Site at: www.icfe.info and www.credit-repair-books.com. 

If you do not have Internet access, send $1 and a double stamped, self-addressed envelope to: ICFE Credit File Request Forms, PO Box 34070 San Diego CA 92163-4070 to receive the same information on their Web sites.

Should mistakes appear on your credit files, the ICFE publishes a "Do-It-Yourself Credit File Correction Guide" for $10. Included are step-by-step instructions, answers to the most often asked questions, consumer credit rights, sample letters to use when communicating with the various credit reporting agencies about credit file questions and difficulties and much more. Order on-line at: www.icfe.info and www.credit-repair-books.com.
OR send $10 (plus postage) to: 

ICFE Credit File Guide 
U.S. PO Box
34070, San Diego, CA 92163. 
For more information, please call
619-239-1401.

For more information contact Paul Richard, RFC ICFE Executive Director at 619-239-1401.