[jsfg_cinti] Attorney General Jim Petro Alerts Consumers- Availability Of Free Credit Reports

All,

After my last week's presentation on "Organizing your Job Search," one of 
our fellow JSFG members brought up this news release about "free credit 
reports." With almost every employer these days doing a background check, it 
is imperative that we ensure our personal and public records are accurate.

For those who requested an electronic copy of the presentation materails, 
they will be sent this week.

Michael Voto
Job Search Focus Group Member

***************************************************************************

Attorney General Jim Petro Alerts Consumers About Availability Of Free 
Credit Reports

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/press_releases/2005/pr20050225a.htm

February 25, 2005
COLUMBUS - Attorney General Jim Petro encourages Ohio consumers to take 
advantage of a new federal law, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act 
(FACT), which entitles Ohioans to receive a free credit report every twelve 
months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies, 
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, beginning March 1, 2005.

"I encourage consumers to check their credit history for inaccuracies on a 
regular basis," said Petro. "A periodic review of your credit history can 
also help in the early detection of identity theft."

Consumers can obtain their free credit report by logging onto 
www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Requests 
can be sent in writing to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 
105281, Atlanta Ga., 30348-5281. A request form is required to obtain your 
free report by mail. Request forms can be obtained at 
www.annualcreditreport.com.

The Attorney General offers these tips about this new law and deceptive 
offers to watch for:
Should you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, request a copy of 
your credit report immediately to verify your financial information.
This free annual credit report is in addition to credit reports you may 
receive if you are denied credit or denied employment based upon your credit 
history.
If you discover errors on your credit report, inform the credit-reporting 
company immediately. The FACT Act puts more responsibility on the reporting 
companies. Corrections must be made in a timely manner and safeguards put in 
place to ensure accurate credit reporting.
Watch for Web sites that offer what is described as a free credit report. 
Many offers require trial subscriptions to credit monitoring services for a 
price.
Do not fall for offers to ?fix? your credit history. Only you and time can 
repair your credit.
For more information about the FACT Act or other consumer questions, log 
onto Attorney General Petro?s website at www.ag.state.oh.us or call the 
Consumer Protection Hotline at, 1-800-282-0515.
For Additional Information on this Press Release:
CONTACT: Michelle Gatchell , Attorney General?s Office, at (614) 466-3840

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