I called this number, and was surprised the automated system will FIRST ask for your phone number, and THEN announce your name and addres, before asking you if the information is correct.
I mean duh, what is the point of having your number non-published if anyone can call this number to retrieve your exact contact information? Also, the automated service states that if you want to provide a change of address, you only need to write them a letter and include your name, ss#, address, and date of birth. No request for a copy of your drivers license or id is mentioned.
II know some people will rent rooms to people for a few weeks, sometimes a month, and only require their name and rent payment. No proof of their name is usually required. What’s to stop someone from ordering the credit report of another person in this type of living situation, and then disappearing from the scene?
Once someone has your report, it’s the same as having your wallet with credit card #’s ect.
Most people would never even know their credit report was sent to a different address, especially if the person corrects the information within 30 days. I guess the only thing you can do is sign up for one of those credit monitoring services and hope for the best.
BTW, the three credit bureaus will usually ask you to input just the first 3 digits of your address, and then tell YOU if it’s what they have on file. The freeannualcreditreport phone line doesn’t do that. You give them the number, and they tell the caller the name and address. It’s no different than calling name finder plus if you ask me, except that it’s FREE and anonymous.
Also, the annualcreditreport.com website and free number are recommended by large corporations, and has been advertised on national television.
Also, I do realize the 3 bureaus provide yearly free credit reports. However, even if annualcreditreport.com is not used, anyone with an individual’s phone number can call the website and obtain personal information about them as mentioned above.
as a financial counselor for the military, I advise you to go to each of the individual credit reporting companies…transunion, experian, and equifax. you are allowed one free credit report a year with EACH of the different companies.
You raise some excellent points. There do seem to be some security holes in the phone system for ordering your credit report.
I check my credit file regularly through the web site but I must admit, I have never called their number.
You should alert the FTC’s Annual Credit Report about this at:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105283
Atlanta, GA 30348-5283
or through a form on their web site at:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/helpcu#suggestion
Thanks for the sharp eye for details! You’re keeping the rest of us safe.
Jeff