Are annual credit reports safe?

Annual credit reports are safe since consumers are protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Federal Trade Commission enforces the FCRA, which ensures the accuracy and privacy of annual credit reports. Credit reports contain the recipient's home and work addresses, bill payments, arrests records and bankruptcy filings.

Credit reports are provided by the three nationwide credit reporting companies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. These reports are typically sold to employers, credit companies and businesses, which use them to evaluate mortgage and employment applications among others. Every consumer is entitled to a free credit report from the three credit reporting companies every twelve months.