"Why can't I get my credit report?" one of our 16-year-old readers (obviously precocious in the personal finance responsibility department) wanted to know. It seems if someone under 18 tries to get it online, say through annualcreditreport.com, they're told no. It turns out you can order your report, you just need to do it by an old-fashioned letter. You'll want to to include in your request your name, address, and Social Security number. This is good not just for go-get-em kids like our reader who want to make sure no one is buying a $40,000 boat with their credit, but also parents who want to protect their children from identity theft. The addresses for each of the bureaus follow.

TransUnion
2 Baldwin Place
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022

Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

REFERENCE
Protect Your Children's Credit with a Freeze! [Ask Marian]
(Photo: Getty)