This C, S & L column ran last year on April 24, 2005 with the necessary information to obtain your free annual credit report that took effect March 1, 2005. This column resulted in numerous inquiries and requests for the official "Annual Credit Report Request Form" that was developed by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. As part of the arrangement with the credit reporting firms to provide free credit reports, they were allowed to offer their credit monitoring services and credit scores for a fee to the public so countless web sites popped up offering free credit reports that were, in reality, pay sites offering credit monitoring and associated services.

Your annual free credit report is available three ways. For immediate service, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or phone the toll free number 877-322-8228. Please phone our office at (217) 333-7672 to request the Annual Credit Report Request Form that may be filled out and mailed via the USPS to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5281. You may request one, two, or all three credit reports. You may also request that your credit report mailed back to you only include the last four digits of your social security number for security purposes. Remember that you are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies per year. Reviewing your reports yearly alerts you to potential errors and helps you prevent identity theft!

As we all struggle with our "pain at the pump," our local Champaign County Saves consortium continues to recruit pilot Saver sites to encourage local residents to pay off debts and save to reach their financial goals. America Saves is a nationwide campaign involving 40,000 enrolled savers and 1000 nonprofit groups, employers, financial institutions, and government agencies working to encourage saving, reducing debt, and building wealth. Locally, Champaign County Saves offers one-hour wealth building workshops to show how anyone may save and build wealth. We partner with existing community, youth, employer, religious, or client groups to provide education and motivation in these workshops to save and build wealth. Savers are assisted by wealth coaches to develop a wealth building goal such as debt repayment, emergency fund, homeownership, education, or retirement savings along with a plan to achieve their goal. No or low fee savings accounts at local cooperating financial institutions are available to Champaign County Savers. Wealth building clubs discussing financial management topics are available to Savers to support and encourage saving in addition to the quarterly American Saver newsletter.

Overall management of this campaign is provided by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America. CFA is a federation of over 300 consumer education, advocacy, and cooperative organizations dedicated to advancing consumer interests. The USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service is a member of the national advisory committee. You may become involved in Champaign County Saves by becoming a Saver, hosting a pilot Saver site, volunteering as a motivational speaker or wealth coach, or joining our Champaign County Saves working group. Please contact me at (217) 333-7672 for further information.