HInts from Heloise

Dear Heloise: In your article about identity theft, you did not give phone numbers for the three national credit-reporting organizations. These numbers should be kept with other toll-free numbers, because it’s important to contact them immediately. — A reader, via e-mail

We also received an e-mail from George Adsitt, and he wants to know how to contact the three national credit-reporting agencies. So, we are printing their names and toll-free telephone numbers below for all those who need them. They are:

TransUnion: (800) 888-4213

Equifax Inc.: (800) 685-1111

Experian Credit Marketing: (888) 397-3742

Please take the time to cut this out and put it in a safe place so that if you need it , and we hope you don’t, you will have the numbers handy.

You can also check your credit with these companies. Give them a call and request a credit report. — Heloise