marquina&dan

http://www.fatchett.com/blog/2011/07/the-knot-magazine-and-tyler-gets-a-...

Fun stuff to do!!

ices!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/fabios-tropical-ices-brooklyn

food

http://www.yelp.com/biz/eclipse-brooklyn

coffee

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-green-fig-bakery-cafe-brooklyn
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunset-Perk-Cafe/227733107241065?sk=info

Here it is on the map

We did our taxes together for the first time today. Filed Jointly at H&R Block at 555 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Our tax preparer, Diane, was great. This was my 4th time doing taxes at this H&R Block location, but Dan's first. He had always done taxes himself. Now that we're married, he gets to partake in the joy of dealing with 1. Columbia University Tuition Tax Credit 2. Bandillero, LLC my small social media consulting business, 3. Multiple W-2s and 1099s from my various employment relationships, and 4. my <miniscule> investment rollover accounts. Fun.

The cost for us to file jointly this year was $493.00 and we purchased the extra $35.00 insurance. This is the first time I've EVER purchased the 'company warranty' because I've read numerous times that it's a scam. But, we did it this year because we know that the government is looking more closely at Schedule C, and if we get audited it would be great to have free legal representation from H&R Block. Our return was in the thousands, but I won't say exactly how much.

Know that we know what forms we need and what to look for, we'll consider filing ourselves next year. In 2011, I've had one steady job at Odyl.net. I love what I do and don't plan on leaving. Hopefully, our tax situation simplifies. Although, we are purchasing a Co-op in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The real estate taxes and renovation will change things up a bit. For now, I'm glad our 2010 tax situation is organized, filed and sent. Looking forward to the refund! It will be direct deposited into our Joint Bank Account, then we'll think about where to invest.

Although it's only January, our friends with spring and summer weddings are already in full planning mode. With a big royal wedding on the horizon for late April and tons of speculation about Natalie Portman's upcoming nuptials, we turn our attention to one of the biggest decisions any of us will ever face: Marriage. Whether or not you eventually choose to take vows, deciding whether —and to whom —to get married will affect nearly every other decision you make. Financial impact aside, everything will change when you start deciding on life choices as a couple.

Taking On A Partner's Finances, 'Til Death Do Us Part.

In some cases, a spouse's income is a welcome cash surge, but in other cases, getting married means supporting someone who makes less than you do or helping to bear the burden of his debt. We're not saying you shouldn't take the plunge; just make sure you have an honest conversation about your financial pasts before making irrevocable decisions about how you'll manage your joint money.

How Marriage Can Spell Tax Benefits And Penalties.

Although most people won't see a big tax difference from getting married, the best benefits go to couples in which one partner makes significantly more than the other. The disadvantages tend to go to couples in which both people make relatively large salaries. We ran some numbers to see how the breakdown of a couple's income can affect tax rates: 

Read on why it makes a difference when you have your wedding, and the legal ramifications of getting married.
CLICK HERE.

After getting married, you go through the 'fun' process of changing your name on all your important documents.

- Social Security Card
- Drivers License
- Passport
- bank debit cards
- credit cards
- Direct Loan Office
- Employer W-2

The debit/credit cards can be changed online. But the other stuff is more of a pain. Luckly, I live in downtown brooklyn so I was able to walk to the social security office and the DMV to knock both of those out in one shot.

One friday morning I went to the social security office here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/social-security-administration-office-brooklyn Then, went to the DMV in Fulton Mall here: http://local.dmv.org/new-york/kings-county/brooklyn/625-atlantic-ave./dm...

For both, you need your drivers license and your actual marriage license (not a copy). You also need your current social security card.

I'd call the offices first to be sure you bring the right stuff.

Re: Passport - I still haven't changed my passport - but I plan to get a new photo tomorrow. Then I need to copy my drivers license, and mail the actual marriage certificate. I tried every way I could not to have to mail the thing, but alas there is no way around it.

http://www.thebrokeassbride.com/2011/02/diy-ceremony-canopy-chuppah-chea...

http://www.thebrokeassbride.com/2011/01/real-wedding-marquina-dans-terra...

There's not much of a contest here. Benjamin Franklin's The Way to Wealth, originally published as a preface to his 1758 almanac, went through 145 editions during Franklin's lifetime alone. It's still in print today.

What makes this slim volume so popular? Franklin stitched together most of the memorable maxims on saving, thrift, and industry that he'd written over the years under the pen name Poor Richard.

The essay can be read in less time than it takes to watch a rerun of Gilligan’s Island, yet conveys in humorous fashion some of the wisest advice you can give a friend or a child.

After 250 years some of the work's pithy sayings are still in everyday speech, such as "early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" and "God helps them that help themselves."

Some of the work's other maxims are less well known today than they were in Franklin's day. That's a pity because his advice could be just as useful now as it was when the ink was fresh. See if you agree:

On saving:

For age and want, save while you may; No morning sun lasts a whole day.

On spending:

Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.

On borrowing:

The borrower is a slave to the lender, and the debtor to the creditor.

On industry:

Plough deep, while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep.

On idleness:

He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night.

Easy to remember, hard to follow Franklin's maxims are truisms—of course everyone should get up early and work hard—yet that doesn't mean they are easy to follow. In fact, some have taken issue with Franklin's moral philosophy. Mark Twain, for example, complained about Franklin's maxims in his 1870 comic essay,

The Late Benjamin Franklin: "His maxims were full of animosity toward boys," Twain wrote. "If he wants to spin his top when he has done work, his father quotes, 'Procrastination is the thief of time.' If he does a virtuous action, he never gets anything for it, because 'Virtue is its own reward.' And that boy is hounded to death and robbed of his natural rest, because Franklin said once, in one of his inspired flights of malignity: 'Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise.'"

Franklin smiled as he wrote Even Franklin understood that his sayings were more often honored than obeyed. In The Way to Wealth, his pithy sayings are uttered by a character called Father Abraham, who is preaching to homesteaders in a forest clearing. At the end of his talk, Franklin writes, "Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and approved the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary, just as if it had been a common sermon." Standards to live up to While Franklin's sayings are not always easy to obey, they may at least give directions to follow—when we're feeling energetic or conspicuously virtuous. In his own life, Franklin retired from work early and pursued a lengthy career of public service. As ambassador to France,

Franklin was a favorite of the French court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and enjoyed the finer things in life. Franklin's private view about wealth may have been best expressed in a letter he wrote to his mother, according to financial journalist Chris Farrell. "I would rather have it said, 'He lived usefully,'" Franklin wrote his mother, "than 'He died rich.'"

To learn more Scarce early editions of Franklin's The Way to Wealth sell for more than $1,000. But you can save your pennies and read here at no charge.* No doubt Franklin would approve.

www.rels.info/resources/UnderstandingCreditCreditRiskScores.pdf

Introduction
Credit Bureau Scoring
Credit scoring has been around since the 1950s, with credit bureau scoring becoming widely available by the 1980s . Today,credit bureau scores are used extensively across many industries; most notably, mortgage lending .
Understanding credit – and what it means to consumers and real estate professionals – is critical, as it represents theunderlying basis for which mortgage loans are determined . When someone applies for a loan, the lender determines howmuch the individual can borrow, for how long, and at what interest rate; all of which is based on the consumer’s credit historyand credit bureau scoring .
The above .pdf is designed to help you understand the fundamentals of credit and credit risk scores in mortgage lending . It alsoprovides some recommended approaches to help you help consumers get the most from their credit rating .
What is a credit score and how does it work?
Credit bureau scoring is a statistical means of assessing how likely a borrower is to pay back a loan . A score is based on thedata available in the borrower’s credit report, which measures the relative degree of risk a potential borrower represents to thelender . It is not a measure of a borrower’s income, assets, or bank account, although those and other factors are still consideredby lenders . A credit bureau score does not consider the following variables in the score calculation, as it would be discriminatoryby FCRA guidelines: gender, race, age, or ZIP code .
Fair Isaac credit bureau scores range from approximately 300 to 850 points, and are available through the three national creditdata repositories (Equifax®, TransUnion, and Experian® ) . The following scoring programs reside at these credit bureaus:
Equifax:
TransUnion:
Experian:
This score is calculated at the credit bureau, and is based solely on the data within that repository’s individual credit file .Fair Isaac is not able to access a consumer’s credit data or calculate a score .
A Fair Isaac credit bureau score, also referred to as a FICO® score, is calculated by a system of scorecards . In developing thesescorecards, Fair Isaac uses actual credit data on millions of consumers, and applies complex mathematical methods to performextensive research into credit patterns that forecast credit performance . Through this process, Fair Isaac identifies distinctivecredit patterns, each corresponding to the likelihood that a consumer will make loan payments as agreed . The score is based onall the credit-related data in the credit bureau report, not just negative data such as missed mortgage payments or bankruptcies .Although the FICO scores are helpful in predicting the likelihood of default, their main purpose is to predict loan delinquency .If loan default is the focus of your scoring objectives, you should investigate bankruptcy scores .
BEACON® 5.0
FICO Classic ‘98 or ‘04
FICO II

The types of credit information used in the credit bureau scorecards are typically the same items an underwriter would useto make a credit decision . These can include:
Payment history
• Public record and collection items
• Severity, recentness and frequency of delinquencies noted in the trade line section
Amounts Owed
• Number of balances recently reported
• Average balance across all trade lines
• Relationship between total balances and total credit limits on revolving trade lines
Length of Credit History
• Age of oldest trade line
• Number of new trade lines
New Credit
• Number of inquiries and new account openings in the last year
• Amount of time since most recent inquiry
Types of Credit Used
• Number of trade lines reported for each type
• Bankcard
• Travel and entertainment cards
• Department store cards
• Personal finance company references
• Installment loans
• Other
Fair Isaac observes a large number of credit report histories of mortgage borrowers to determine which credit report items,or combination of items, are the most predictive of future risk . This data indicates the amount each item contributes to anaccurate assessment of credit risk .
Fair Isaac credit bureau scores do not use race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status or age aspredictive characteristics. Occupation and length of time in present residence are also not used in thecredit bureau score. Also, any information that is not present in a repository credit file is not used increating a credit bureau score.

Understanding the Credit Score
What goes into a credit score?
1. Payment History (about 35% of a score is basedon this category)
The score takes into account:
• Payment information on many types of accountsincluding credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans,finance company accounts and mortgage loans .
• Public record and collection items: reports of events,such as bankruptcies, judgments, suits, liens,wage attachments and collection items
• Details on late or missed payments and public record andcollection items: specifically, how late they were, how muchwas owed, how recently they occurred and how many there are .
• The number of accounts that show no late payments. A good trackrecord on most credit accounts will increase the credit score .
2. Amounts Owed (about 30% of the score is based on this category)Having credit accounts and owing money on them does not mean you are a high-risk borrower with a low score . Owing a greatdeal of money on many accounts can indicate that a person is overextended, and is more likely to make some payments late ornot at all . Part of the science of scoring is determining how much is too much for a given credit profile .
The score takes into account:
• The amount owed on all accounts. Note that even if you pay off credit cards in full every month, your credit report mayshow a balance on those cards . The total balance on your last statement is generally the amount that will show in yourcredit report .
• The amount owed on specified types of accounts. In addition to the overall amount owed, the score considers the amountowed on specific types of accounts, such as credit cards and installment loans .
• Amount of balance owing. In some cases, having a very small balance without missing a payment shows that you havemanaged credit responsibly, and may be slightly better than no balance at all . On the other hand, closing unused creditaccounts that show zero balances and that are in good standing will not generally raise your score .
• How many accounts with balances. A large number of accounts with balances can indicate higher risk of over-extension.
• How much of the total credit line is being used on credit cards and other “revolving credit” accounts. Someone closer tomaxing out” on many credit cards may have trouble making payments in the future.
• Balance on installment loan accounts compared with the original loan amounts. Paying down installment loans is a goodsign that you are able and willing to manage and repay debt .

3. Length of Credit History (approximately 15% of a score is based on this category)In general, a longer credit history will increase the credit score . However, even those with short credit histories may get highscores, depending on how the rest of the credit report looks .
The score takes into account:
• How long credit accounts have been established, in general. The score considers the age of theoldest account as well as the average age of all accounts .
• How long specific credit accounts have been established.
• How long it has been since certain accounts have been used.
4. New Credit (approximately 10% of a score is based on this category)Opening several credit accounts in a short period of time represents a greater risk, especially for those who do not have a longestablished credit history. This also extends to requests for credit, as indicated by “inquiries” to the credit reporting agencies.
The score takes into account:
• How many new accounts there are.
• How long it has been since those accounts opened.
• How many recent requests for credit have been made, as indicated by inquiries to the credit reporting agencies.Note that if a credit report is ordered from a credit reporting agency, such as to check it for accuracy, the scoredoes not count . It also doesn’t count when a lender requests a credit report or score in order to make a“pre-approved” credit offer, or to review the account with them, even though these inquiries may show up onthe credit report .
• Length of time since credit report inquiries were made by lenders.
• Whether you have a good recent credit history, following past payment problems.
Re-establishing credit and making payments on time after a period of late payment behavior will help to raise a score over time .
5. Types of Credit in Use (approximately 10% of a score is based on this category)The score will consider the mix of credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, finance company accounts andmortgage loans . It is not necessary to have one of each, and it is not a good idea to open credit accounts you don’t intendto use .
The score takes into account:
• The types of credit accounts you have and the number of each. The score also looks at the total numberof accounts you have . For different credit profiles, what determines too many accounts will vary .

Understanding the Credit Score
Why did this credit file receive the score it did?
To understand why a credit report scored the way it did, look at the four reason codes given with each score . These are the topreasons why it did not score higher, although other factors probably contributed. Lenders should receive these reasons, referredto as factor codes, along with the score when it’s obtained through a mortgage credit reporting company . A complete list ofscore factor codes is included in this booklet (see Appendix) .
Factor codes are either a number or letter, followed by a brief description . For example, a score of 563 may have thefollowing factors:
02 – Delinquency on accounts
01 – Amount owed on accounts is too high
09 – Too many accounts opened in last 12 months
19 – Too few accounts currently paid as agreed
Factor codes can be relayed back to the borrower to explain how they can increase their score over time . Score factors areless meaningful for higher-scoring credit records as they merely point to the reasons why the file did not score even higher .
What effect, if any, do credit inquiries have on Credit Bureau Scores?
A credit inquiry is an item on a credit report that shows a business with a “permissible purpose” (as defined under the federalFair Credit Reporting Act) has previously requested a copy of the report . There are two types of credit inquiries – hard and soft:
Hard Inquiry: Hard inquiries are initiated by the consumer, appear on the credit report, and will have an impact onthe consumer’s credit score . Examples include when a consumer applies for a mortgage, auto loan, or other credit .
Soft Inquiry: Soft inquiries are not initiated by the consumer for the purpose of applying for credit and do not have animpact on the consumers credit score . Examples include when a consumer requests their own credit report; credit checksthat are made by businesses in order to offer goods or services; and credit checks by prospective employers .
Mortgage and Auto Loan Inquiries: When shopping for mortgage and auto loans, consumers tend to have their creditrun more often within a short period of time . The credit industry has taken this into account and to compensate, the FICO andNEXT GEN scores will ignore all mortgage and auto inquires made in the 30 days prior to scoring . Additionally, the score willalso look at mortgage and auto inquiries older than 30 days and will count all those inquiries within a typical shopping periodof 45* days as one inquiry .

Scoring Models
FICO Industry Scores
All three national bureaus offer an industry specific FICO score to help lenders gain more insight into a consumer’s paymentbehavior within that particular industry . FICO offers industry-specific scores for bankcards, auto lending, installment lending,and finance company lending . When an industry score is requested, the credit file is initially scored on the base FICO models,and is then adjusted by two additional scorecards that apply to that particular industry . Of the two additional scorecards, oneapplies to credit files with derogatory information, while the other applies to credit files without derogatory information for anytype of account . The credit file score is then adjusted to consumer trends that are specific to that industry .Keep in mind that each bureau may also offer their own scores that are industry specific.
FICO Scores
Fair Isaac developed the FICO score to measure the degree of risk a potential borrower represents to the lender . Today, FICOis the leading high-performance credit-scoring model, and is used across many industries . FICO scores are calculated by thecredit bureaus from data contained in the bureaus’ files . This data is then put into a standardized algorithm to determine theconsumer’s score. Up to four “score factor codes” and their descriptions can be provided in an easy-to-read format on thesummary page of the credit report . These codes provide an indication of the factors that most influenced the score . FICOscores range from approximately 300–850 . The higher the FICO score, the lower the lender’s risk . Below are the mostcommonly used FICO scores:
Beacon 5.0 (Equifax)
FICO II (Experian)
FICO Classic ‘04 (TransUnion)
FICO ‘08
Fair Isaac Corp . has modified their scoring formula to provide a better way of analyzing risk, which will help lenders to predictthe likelihood of a borrower defaulting on a loan . FICO ‘08 is predicted to help lenders reduce their default rates on consumerloans between 5 to 15% . Here are the key differences between FICO ‘08 and other FICO models:
• FICO ‘08 is more forgiving of consumers with a couple late payments, but harderon those who are repeat offenders
• Authorized user accounts will no longer be considered in the scoring model
• More weight will be given to consumers with a variety of credit types
• Consumers who use a high percentage of their available credit will be penalized toa greater extent

Vantage Score
Vantage Score is the first credit scoring model that was developed collaboratively by Experian, TransUnion and Equifax tocreate a new standard in the market . It was created through the analysis of approximately 15 million anonymous consumercredit profiles pulled from all three national credit reporting agencies . Using a characteristic leveling model, Vantage Scoreinterprets the same data from different sources (the three national credit bureaus) in the same manner . By using the samescoring model across all three credit reporting agencies, Vantage Score increases consistency and predictability . It’s basedon a 24 month performance period and scores range from 501-990; the higher the score, the lower the lenders risk .
Next Gen Scores
Fair Isaac developed next generation score models incorporating several innovations . The new models allow credit grantorsto make significantly better credit management decisions by using close to 80 predictive variables in the determination of thescores, which is nearly twice the number of variables used in the existing FICO models . There are 18 separate scorecards foreach model, compared to 10 in the existing FICO models . Score ranges from 150-950; the higher the score, the lower thelenders risk . Below are the Next Gen Scores that each bureau offers:
Pinnacle (Equifax)
Advanced Risk Score (Experian)
FICO Risk Score, NextGen (TransUnion)
Bankruptcy Scores
Bankruptcy risk scores from the credit repositories predict the likelihood of the borrower declaring bankruptcy . The higherthe score, the higher the risk that a bankruptcy will occur .
BNI 3.0 (Equifax)
Bankruptcy Score (Experian)
Delphi (TransUnion)

Working with a Credit Score
How do you increase a credit score?
Over time, a borrower can improve the information in their credit report by paying credit obligations on time and using creditwisely . As derogatory data in the credit report gets older, it has less influence on the score . A missed payment from four yearsago will not count as much as a missed payment that is six months old .
A credit score, like a credit report, is essentially a snapshot of a consumer’s changing credit record . Scores from the nationalcredit bureaus may be different since the available data may be different from each repository . If a request is made to obtainan updated score, the score is likely to change for various reasons; however, it’s not possible to limit how that score will change .Credit items are updated often, so new items are likely to have been added since the previous report . Additionally, existingitems will have aged . Repeatedly requesting a consumer’s credit report may substantially increase the number of inquiries onthe repository report, which may affect the score adversely .
It is also possible that you can affect the credit score by paying down credit cards and transferring balances . Part of the creditscore is based on the total amount of credit used versus the total amount available . Transferring balances to reflect moreavailable credit on each card can have a positive impact on the score .
However, ensuring a score increase in this case is not always possible . Such actions may upset the mix of available credit, andmay actually decrease the score . It’s important to note that the point of scoring is not to calculate an up-to-date debt ratio – thedebt ratio is still considered by lenders independent of the score . Therefore, it’s not critical that balances be completely up todate for the purpose of scoring .
The score reflects data available on the credit report to assess the consumer’s current payment patterns and payment history .
I have information on my credit report that is incorrect . What can I do to fix it?
Consumers who want to address what they believe is erroneous information on a mortgage report should contact the creditreporting agency that developed the report . The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows the credit reporting agency a“reasonable period of time,” generally not to exceed 30 days, to reinvestigate consumer disputed items. A significant numberof credit grantors use an automated system for investigating disputes and respond within a few days . Most credit reportingagencies make a special effort to quickly resolve disputed information affecting a mortgage decision .
Consumers wishing to dispute items on their credit files can do so through the following credit bureaus:
Equifax: (800) 685-1111, www.equifax.com
Experian: (888) 397-3742, www.experian.com
TransUnion: (800) 916-8800, www.transunion.com
The score is generated using the credit information at one of the three national credit repositories . Therefore, changes madesolely to the mortgage credit report and not to the credit repository information will not affect the score .
It is the policy of many lenders and investors, including Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, that if gross inaccuracies appear on thecredit file, erroneous information can be documented and the score disregarded . The applicant is not required to go throughthe procedure of changing the information at the credit repository for the purpose of altering the credit score in these cases .

Can I get assistance in filing a dispute?
When a credit report is ordered through Rels Credit, consumers get free access to a convenient, toll-free consumer disputesservice . With just one call, FCRA-certified specialists will work hand-in-hand with consumers to resolve any discrepancies withthe national credit bureaus . As a single contact point, Rels Credit’s Consumer Disputes Resolution service makes the oftencomplicated and time-consuming credit dispute process easier for your clients, and you .
“One-call” Dispute Resolution
• Dispute Investigations – Rels Credit investigates tradelines by working directly with the credit bureaus .
• Consumer Interaction – Rels Credit actively communicates the results of our investigative process tothe consumer .
• Bureau Communication – Rels Credit Consumer Disputes team works with the bureaus on the consumer’sbehalf to update incorrect data .
• FCRA Compliance – Rels Credit strictly adheres to the guidelines set by the FCRA regarding timeframes, formsand procedures .
Once credit information has been corrected, you can then request Rapid ReCheck, an innovative service offered by Rels Credit,which speeds up the bureau-level update process . Rapid ReCheck provides fast, permanent updating of national repositoryrecords – and an updated FICO score . When you obtain your client’s original source documentation from the credit grantor,simply forward it to Rels Credit for validation by our credit specialists . Once validated, it will be forwarded to the appropriatecredit bureau(s) and processed within three to five business days .

Understanding Non-Traditional Credit
The banking industry has begun to look beyond traditional credit reports and scores as the primary indicators of consumercreditworthiness . The industry is realizing that just because a consumer does not have a complete traditional credit history,it doesn’t mean they are a credit risk . For example, many consumers don’t believe in debt, they make payments on time andhave a decent amount of money in a savings account
In the past, it was difficult for lenders to ascertain the credit risk for these consumers . However, that has all changed .Innovative new products, such as the Anthem Report from Rels Credit, assess a consumers credit worthiness by looking atalternative payment histories such as rent, utility and insurance payments . By examining these payment histories, lenders canaccurately determine the relative credit risk for a consumer . As a result, many consumers with strong alternative paymenthistories can now qualify for the same loans as consumers with traditional credit histories and scores .
Non-Traditional Credit Reporting
Over the next decade, a projected 60% of first-time home purchases in the United States will be made by those who fallinto traditionally underserved markets . Many of these consumers have little or no traditional credit, but are credit worthy .With Anthem, Rels Credit’s suite of alternative credit services, lenders can originate any non-traditional loan and help morehomebuyers fulfill the American dream .
The Anthem Report offers the most cost-effective credit reporting solution for consumers with little or no credit history . Thispowerful reporting tool delivers verified non-traditional credit data in an easy-to-use format that allows lenders to qualify moreborrowers .

Know Your Rights
The FACT Act
With the passage of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction (FACT) Act in 2004, the federal government created a “Bill ofRights” for consumers that is designed to help consumers understand what is contained in their credit report. Among otherthings, the FACT Act states that consumers are entitled to:
• A free credit report from each of the three national credit bureaus once a year.
• Removal of potentially fraudulent information from a credit report if a consumer establishes that they havebeen a victim of identity theft .
• Any information a business has received that is believed to be from someone that has stolen their identity.
Obtaining a free credit report
In response to the passage of the FACT Act, the three national credit bureaus are required to create a single resourcefor consumers to access their once-yearly free credit report . While there are many other Web sites that claim to providea “free” credit report, there is only one place that offers a truly free report:
• www.annualcreditreport.com
This Web site is officially sanctioned to allow consumers to get a free credit report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion .You can also arrange to have yearly reminders sent to you to pull your report .
Be cautious: many sites that offer “free” credit reports will require you to sign up for a service thatrequires you to pay after a limited trial period has elapsed. Only annualcreditreport.com offers freereports with no strings attached.
Will the free credit report include the credit score?
No . The free credit report will not come with a score . If you would like to order a credit score, you can do so for a nominal fee .However, as covered earlier in this book, there are numerous scores in the market . The national credit bureaus offer severalscore options to consumers . If you are looking for a score for a specific purpose (home purchase, auto purchase, credit cardapplication, etc .), it is recommended you research which scores those industries will accept .

For More Information
Credit Bureau Contact Information(For questions or to dispute an item on your credit report)
Equifax Information Service Center
P .O . Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com
Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
P .O . Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
888-397-3742
www .experian .com
Trans Union Corporation
P .O . Box 34012
Fullerton, CA 92834
800-916-8800
www.transunion.com
To Get Your Free Credit Report
www.annualcreditreport.com
To Get Your FICO Score
www.myfico.com/Products/FICOOne/Description.aspx
Credit Education
www.credco.com/crediteducation
www.myfico.com/crediteducation
Credit Counseling
National Foundation of Credit Counseling (NFCC)
www.nfcc.org
The Department of Housing and Urban Development
www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm
Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (AICCCA)
www.aiccca.org