State Victim Advocate Says Take Advantage Of Free Credit Reports

HARTFORD — Beginning this month, Connecticut residents are eligible to receive an annual free copy of their personal credit report. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) now requires that each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies provide consumers with an annual free copy of their credit report upon request.

Connecticut citizens should take advantage of this free, annual service and obtain a copy of their credit reports, said State Victim Advocate James Papillo.

“It is important to periodically monitor your credit history. By monitoring your credit reports on a regular basis, you can spot trouble early and minimize damage if you become a victim of identity theft,” he said.

Mr Papillo cautioned that the only legitimate website citizens should use to obtain free copies of their credit reports is www.annualcreditreport.com or they can call 877-322-8228. Alternatively, copies can be obtained by directly contacting the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).

Mr Papillo advises that it is not necessary to order a credit report from all three credit reporting agencies at the same time. In fact, many experts recommend staggering requests through the year so that a free credit report can, for example, be obtained from a different reporting agency every four months.

The state victim advocate has published a guide for Connecticut citizens to help educate the public about the nature of identity theft, how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, and what you should do if you become a victim of identity theft.

Citizens can obtain a copy of Identity Theft: A Guide for Connecticut Citizens by sending a request to, The Office of the Victim Advocate, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford CT 06106, or by calling the office at its toll-free number (in Connecticut) 888-771-3126. The guide is also available on the office’s website at www.ova.state.ct.us.

“Identity theft is a very frustrating crime,” Mr Papillo said. “Victims are often left with bills, charges, bad checks, and taxes to pay as a result of having their identities stolen and can spend months or years, and a lot of money, restoring the damage to their good name and credit record. By monitoring your credit reports, and taking the steps outlined in the guide, victims can limit damage to their financial standing, credit history and peace of mind.”