How to Obtain a Free Copy of Your Credit Report in Person

I was getting depressed 'cause of all the stress I was feeling at home
Had a poor credit score and the number would haunt me wherever I'd go
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I just wish that somebody had told me that place was a Renaissance Fair!
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Tell your friends, tell your dad, tell you mom!
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So if you're not into fake sword fights,
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The songs may be silly but the message in the comical freecreditreport.com commercials is clear: monitor your credit report often and closely to avoid financial disaster. There are many online sites that can provide you with access to your personal credit report and credit score instantly but those sites are not the only game in town for metro Atlanta residents. If you have 20 minutes to kill and find yourself in the Midtown Atlanta area, you can stop by the Equifax building to obtain a copy of your credit report in person. They are located at 1550 Peachtree Street, Atlanta Georgia 30309 and are available Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm. The building is centrally located in Midtown and is accessible by MARTA the city's public transportation system. Georgia residents are allowed two free reports per year and a report anytime you are denied credit or employment. Equifax must be sited as the source used in the denial in order to receive the free report on those basis. Be advised that the denial would have to have occurred in the past 60-days. For a nominal fee you can also receive your score as well.

If you wish to obtain a copy of your report, you will need your Social Security Number and a valid
state issued identification. If you have exhausted your two free reports for the year and are not eligible to receive a copy based on a credit or employment denial you can purchase a copy. The fee is $11 for Georgia residents and differs by state for Non-Georgia residents. You will find these fees conveniently listed in the office.

Beware there is no public parking available so be prepared to search for nearby parking if you decide to drive. If you mistakenly enter through the main doors of the building you will be greeted by security personnel that will direct you to a door on the side of the building. Once you press the buzzer and state your business; you will be allowed into the small room that appears to hold 8-10 people comfortably. There are no chairs because you will most likely not be there long enough to take a load off.

The office personnel can answer your questions at the time you pick up your report. Your report will have a confirmation number and a phone number; this will grant you access to a live person who can answer your questions in more detail. If you have ever tried to contact Equifax by phone you have already experienced the automated service that offers general answers to frequently asked questions you can appreciate this more personal attention.

Sure, you can obtain free a copy of your report instantly at sites like www.annualcreditreport.com, www.freecreditreport.com and www.freetriplescore.com. Be advised that some sites may require that you provide a credit card number and enroll in a service that they offer for free on a trial basis. While you will receive your consumer credit file instantly it is your responsibility to cancel the service after the trial period ends if you only want to receive your report. If you fail to cancel you will end up paying for the additional service when all you wanted was the free report you are entitled to. If you have moved recently, have had a recent name change or cannot answer the security questions; the site will advise you to provide additional information directly to the credit reporting agency. It can take as long as 6 weeks to receive your report by mail in some cases

It is important to check your credit report at least once a year to avoid errors that could cost your credit score, employment opportunities and many sleepless nights. Identity theft is on the rise, affecting almost 10 million victims in 2008 alone according to www.spendonlife.com. Once you have received your report, be sure to closely examine it for errors and any evidence of fraud. If your report contains errors you can dispute them by phone, by mail or in online at http://www.equifax.com/answers/correct-credit-report-errors/en_cp. If you suspect fraud call the number listed on your credit report immediately. The first step to protecting your credit can be as simple as walking into the Equifax office and requesting a copy of your credit report.