Maine and other states follow a federal law that allows residents to request free credit reports from three credit bureaus. However, consumers should watch out for free credit report offers that aren't connected to the federal law. Those offers may include a free credit report, but add on fees for other credit-related services.
Free Annual Reports
All Maine residents and other U.S. citizens are entitled to receive one free credit report from each of the three national credit bureaus every year. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act requires Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to supply those credit reports at consumers' request. However, the act only requires the three bureaus to supply consumers with free credit reports, not credit scores. People who want to see their credit scores may have to pay a fee to get them.
Other Free Reports
According to the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, Maine residents also have a right to get free credit reports due to adverse actions by companies. Such actions include having a credit card or insurance application rejected due to negative credit information. In such cases, residents need to request a free copy of their report from the credit bureau that supplied the information within 60 days of the rejection of their application. People who are victims of identity theft also can request free credit reports from each of the three national credit bureaus.
Requesting Reports
Residents should be prepared to send additional information to credit bureaus when they request a free report if they've recently moved. The bureaus may require you to supply a copy of a recent utility bill, driver's license or some other documentation to verify your new address and your identity. The Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection also notes that married couples who make a joint request for a credit report must both supply a copy of their driver's license or other information needed to verify each person's identity.
Official Website
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warns consumers that only one website provides the free annual credit reports that the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act entitle consumers to receive. That site is annualcreditreport.com. According to the FTC, some websites advertise free credit reports, but they come with fee-based services such as credit monitoring. Those services are free of charge for a limited time, but consumers are later charged monthly fees if they don't cancel a service during the trial period.
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