Savvy Consumer Tips

BILL SCHUETTE

ATTORNEY GENERAL

         Reduce telemarketing calls by registering with the FTC's free national

         do-not-call program. 

• Call toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register.

• Online at www.donotcall.gov.  You must have access to an e-mail address to confirm your intent to sign up.

        Eliminate pre-approved credit card offers in the mail.

• Call toll-free 1-888-567-8688 or visit www.optoutprescreen.com.

• You may remove your name from the list sold by major credit reporting agencies for a period of five years or permanently.  You will be asked to provide your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. 

        Order your free annual credit report.  To maximize your protection against

        fraudulent activity, order a report from a different credit reporting company every

        fourth month.

• Call toll-free 1-877-322-8228. 

• Complete the annual credit report request form and mail it to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281                                  

Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

The Annual Credit Report Request Form is available at the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) website: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/resources/forms/requestformfinal.pdf.

• Online -  www.annualcreditreport.com (this is the only truly free credit report website).