Good news for the clients is that now it will be easier getting their credit reports. The reasons for it are that, the companies have together built up a website that offers free credit reports for the clients. Customers can visit the annualcreditreport.com website for getting their free reports. Conversely they can contact the bureaus at their toll free number.

Whether it is for the general credit report or for knowing some specific information on the providian credit cards used by the customer, one can either resort to the website or approach the credit bureaus directly. However they may be ultimately charged for the reports. On the other hand visiting their common website that is FCRA mandated would be a free-of-cost endeavor for the client. That clearly means one has to pay when he or she contacts the credit agency directly.

Information required for obtaining the free credit report either in general or for those related to the  providian credit card would be the name, address, date of birth, and social security number of the client. At times the customer may be asked to disclose certain information that may not be known to others. This feature helps security measures in getting credit report authenticating the customer’s identification.

When the free credit report is generated, it will be visible at a certain time in a region. Since September 1st 2005, free credit report is available to entire nation but the viewing time will vary according to the geographical location of the customer.

While free credit report can be viewed instantly online, it may take around 15 days to get a hard copy by mail.