DID YOU KNOW?

Enacted in 2003, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act entitles you to receive a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

These reports are vital to the overall health of your credit. Check your score and read through the report carefully to see if there is any suspicious activity, unfamiliar accounts or mistakes of any kind. If you find an error, be sure to dispute it and follow up on the mistake with the appropriate agency.

Note: Not only can you do this for yourself—and you should, as a responsible consumer—you can also check with the agencies if you believe someone has compromised your child’s identity. You can always discuss your credit report and credit score with your loan officer the next time you apply for a loan at Ascend.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sites contain extensive information about credit reports, your rights, and the laws that guarantee these rights. You can learn more about your free reports at the Federal Trade Commission’s website and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.