MARTINSBURG – The West Virginia Attorney General Office’s Consumer Protection Division’s Eastern Panhandle Office has started assisting consumers in obtaining free credit reports every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m.
Residents can visit the office, located at 269 Aikens Center in Martinsburg, for the assistance.
“One of the best ways for consumers to ensure that they have not become an identity theft victim is to run an annual credit check,” Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said in a statement. “Members of our staff will be available during scheduled weekly hours to help consumers obtain these reports.”
Consumers interested in participating will have to sign terms of use acknowledging that they are only accessing their own credit reports. Employees of the Attorney General’s office will not have access to the reports or any personal, private information. They will also not be able to discuss the consumers’ reports with them or provide advice about details contained within the reports.
“In order to ensure privacy of consumers’ data, no electronic copies will be provided,” Morrisey said. “The report will be given in hard copy format only and we will have a shredder available for consumers to safely destroy any unwanted reports.”
The Fair Credit Reporting Act guarantees consumers a free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – once every 12 months to ensure information is accurate and up to date. Consumers can access the three reports at one time or they can request each company’s report at different times of the year.
“Our office works diligently to provide warnings and tips so that consumers can be proactive when it comes to protecting their personally identifiable information,” Morrisey said. “Reviewing credit reports annually is one of the best ways consumers can ensure that their identities have not been compromised.”
Consumers who cannot attend the scheduled time each Wednesday may make an appointment for another date and time during normal office hours.
Consumers may also gain access to a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com or by mailing a completed Annual Credit Report Request Form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia, 30348-5281. Forms are available at www.annualcreditreport.com/gettingReports.action or at the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office.
Consumers with questions are urged to call 304-267-0239.