Massachusetts Breach Notification: Obtaining Free Credit Reports

Massachusetts - Breach Notification Letters (Mar 2026)

Detected March 25th, 2026

Summary

This document provides guidance to Massachusetts residents on how to obtain free credit reports from major credit reporting companies. It outlines the process for requesting reports and what steps to take if discrepancies or suspicious activity are found, including contacting law enforcement and the FTC.

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What changed

This guidance document, issued by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, informs consumers about their right to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit bureaus. It details how to request these reports via phone or online and advises on reviewing them for unauthorized accounts or inquiries. The document also emphasizes the importance of periodic credit report checks, even in the absence of immediate suspicion, to proactively identify and address potential issues.

For consumers who discover suspicious activity or believe their information is being misused, the guidance recommends contacting local law enforcement to file a police report and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for further assistance and to add their complaint to the Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse. Massachusetts residents are specifically reminded of their right to obtain a police report in connection with an identity theft incident. The document also mentions the availability of information from the FTC regarding fraud alerts and security freezes.

What to do next

Review credit reports for discrepancies and unauthorized activity
Contact credit reporting agencies to correct errors
File a police report if identity theft is suspected

Source document (simplified)

Obtaining a Free Credit Report. Under federal law, you are entitled to one (1) free credit report every twelve (12) months from each of the above three (3) major nationwide credit reporting companies. Call 1-877-322-8228 or request your free credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com. Once you receive your credit reports, review them for discrepancies. Identify any accounts you did not open or inquiries from creditors that you did not authorize. Verify all information is correct. If you have questions or notice incorrect information, contact the credit reporting company. Additional Helpful Resources.6. Even if you do not find any suspicious activity on your initial credit reports, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you check your credit reports periodically. Checking your credit report periodically can help you spot problems and address them quickly. If you find suspicious activity on your credit reports or have reason to believe your information is being misused, call your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report, as many creditors will want the information it contains to absolve you of the fraudulent debts. You may also file a complaint with the FTC by contacting them on the web at www.ftc.gov/idtheft, by phone at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338), or by mail at Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. Your complaint will be added to the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, where it will be accessible to law enforcement for their investigations. In addition, you may obtain information from the FTC about fraud alerts and security freezes. Massachusetts Residents: Under Massachusetts law, you have the right to obtain a police report in regard to this incident. If you are the victim of identity theft, you also have the right to file a police report and obtain a copy of it.