CINCINNATI -- Most consumers know about the one free credit report they receive each year. But not many people know that they're also entitled to other personal records that companies keep about them, reported WLWT-TV.

It turns out that consumers can access almost all information about themselves.

"Consumers have the right to see information that's collected by companies when they sell it to companies to make decisions about them," said Peggy Twohig, of the Federal Trade Commission.

The data falls into a category sometimes called specialty reports or other consumer reports. It's similar to credit bureau data, but it tracks other information like medical records, bankruptcy filings, driving records, criminal or civil case records, insurance information and banking information.

Experts from the FTC said the data is used to make business decisions about consumers.

"Insurance companies want to know, for example, if you have filed claims in the past and that insurance company might use that to make a decision on whether to grant you insurance and what price to charge you for the insurance," Twohig said.

Problems can come to light when there is an error, the station reported.

In 2004, four of five credit reports had at least one error. That's why incorrect specialty consumer report information needs to be checked.

"A landlord might check a database that shows which consumers skipped out on rent," Twohig said. "They might think it's you, but it's not you. It's someone with a similar name, but there's an error on that database and you want to know that. You can know that because of an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act called the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act."

The legislation states that consumers are entitled to one free report every year from any company that sells your personal information on a nationwide basis.

If a business makes a negative decision about you based on collected data, you are entitled to an adverse action notice. It will have a phone number to call so consumers can research if their personal information is accurate.

"They have a right to get a nationwide consumer specialty reporting agency's report once every 12 months," Twohig said.

More Information:
Nationwide Specialty Consumer Reporting Agencies
Medical Claims -- (866) 692-6901
Property, Automotive Loss -- (800) 627-3487
Auto and Property Insurance Loss -- (866) 312-8076
Check Writing History, Chex Systems, Inc. -- (800) 428-9623, SCAN (800) 262-7771
Check Writer Disclosure -- (800) TELECHECK

How To Access Free Credit Report

• Online: annualcreditreport.com
• By Phone: (877) 322-8228
• By Mail:
  Annual Credit Report Request Service
  P.O. Box 105281
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Applicants are required to provide their name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. Requests should be processed within 15 days.