Due to the passage of the 2003 Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), all Americans are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion -- upon request every 12 months. There are several ways you can request your free credit report:

•Online: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com
•Telephone: (877)-322-8228
•Mail: Complete the Annual Credit Report Request form and mail it to the following address:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

If you're in the military and stationed overseas, getting your free credit report can be a challenge. Begin by writing to the address above and sending copies of as much ID as possible. Be sure to provide a U.S. mailing address where your report can be sent. You may need to have the report sent to a relative's home and have them forward it to you.

The 2003 law did not eliminate the other ways to receive a free credit report. You're still entitled to a free credit report if you meet any of the following conditions:

•You applied for a loan and were turned down. You can request a free credit report by writing the correct credit bureau within 30 days of your rejection. Enclose a copy of the declined loan application with your request.
•You're unemployed and planning to apply for jobs in the next 60 days.
•You're receiving public assistance.
•You believe your credit file contains mistakes due to fraud.
•You currently reside in a state that offers an annual free credit report from each credit reporting agency by state law. Residents of the following seven states are entitled to one free copy of their credit report each 12 months from each of the three main credit agencies per federal law and one free copy of their credit report each 12 months from each of the three main credit agencies to satisfy their state's law.

Colorado
Georgia
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Vermont

The second free report can be obtained by directly calling each credit bureau:

Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800

If you have any difficulty ordering this free report over the phone, you may also write to each bureau:

Equifax
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374

Experian
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022

Include the following info in your letter. Be sure that each person requesting the report signs and dates the request.

•Your full name
•Date of birth
•Current and former address
•Social Security number
•Your spouse's name
•Your phone number

Sources: Bankrate.com and Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

For those who do not reside in the seven states where you are entitled to a second free credit report per agency per year, you may order a second or third report directly from the three agencies by mail. Include the same identifying information listed above and mail to the same addresses listed for each bureau. Here is a breakdown of the charges:

California residents: $8 per report
Connecticut residents: $5 per report
Minnesota residents: $3 per report
Montana residents: $8.50 per report
Virgin Island residents: $1 per report
Residents of all other states: $10 per report

In addition, all Americans are entitled to one free credit report each 12 months from Innovis, considered to be the fourth major credit bureau. You must write to the following address to obtain your free report:

Innovis Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 1358
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1358

Include the following information with your Innovis request:

•Full name (include Jr., III, etc.)
•Full address
•Phone number
•Copy of your driver's license or utility bill at your current residence
•Previous addresses for the past five years
•Social Security number
•Date of birth
•Current employer
•Your signature and the date

If you should need an additional Innovis report, prices for reports after the first free one are on their website: Innovis.com

Specialty reports, such as the C.L.U.E. report from ChoiceTrust are also available. For a list of such reports, see Privacy Rights Clearinghouse's list.

Should you need your FICO score from Equifax, in addition to obtaining it when you are ordering your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, you may call 1-877-SCORE-11 and obtain it for $7.95.