CREDIT REPORTS

If you are unsure of all the debts you owe, it would be wise to get a credit report for yourself.    To get a copy of your credit report, I would recommend going to Credit Bureau Services.  Their fee is $9.72 per person (includes tax), which is a modest fee.  Their report is complete, easy to read and it includes the addresses of your creditors.

Here’s what you do: send a typewritten or printed letter requesting your credit report to:

Credit Bureau Services
P.O. Box 1370
Buffalo, N.Y. 14231-1370

include in the letter your full name, your date of birth, your social security number and all addresses at which you lived in the past three years.  Sign the letter and include a personal check or money order made out to Credit Bureau Services in the amount of $9.72.

If you prefer, you can get a credit report on the internet.   However, I have found these reports to be incomplete, lacking vital information and really suited to only giving creditors a credit snapshot, and not much else.   But if you want, you can go to any of the following:

Equifax:               
1-800-685-1111
i nternet address: www.equifax.com.

Experian/TRW:
1-800-682-7654
internet address: www.experian.com.

TransUnion:     
1-800-632-1765
internet address: www.transunion.com.

CreditComm:   
1-800-789-9952
internet address: www.creditcomm.com.

- David F. Butterini, attorney