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Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three national credit bureaus. However, not all credit reports are truly “free,” so it’s important to get your credit report right from the source.
Taking advantage of your right to a free credit report is a great way to be a more informed consumer and prepare yourself for a major purchase. Read on to learn how to get a truly free credit report.
How to Obtain Your Free Credit Report
The best way to get your free credit report is through AnnualCreditReport.com, the website created by the three main credit bureaus—Equifax, TransUnion and Experian—to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This site provides an instant and actually free credit report with no strings attached.
You can choose to get all three credit reports at once or you can get it from one credit bureau at a time. In order to get your free credit report, you will have to provide:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
You may be asked to verify your identity by providing some information only you would know. Each bureau has different security requirements, so if you request multiple reports at once, you may be asked to answer multiple sets of questions.
You can access the same credit reporting service by calling 1-877-322-8228. (Keep in mind that if you order the report by phone, it may take up to 15 days to process and mail the report to you.)
There are plenty of “free credit report” services out there, but most of these sites are actually selling credit monitoring services for a monthly fee. Double-check the terms of other services labeled as “free” if you decide to try something other than AnnualCreditReport.com. Never give your personal information to a source claiming to provide free credit reports without verifying the service itself.
How Many Free Credit Reports Can I Get Per Year?
Under U.S. law, everyone is entitled to one completely free credit report from each credit reporting agency every 12 months. You can request a report from all three agencies at once, or you can space them out by requesting a report from a different agency every four months.
What a Credit Report Is (and Why You Should Check It)
A credit report is a detailed record of your borrowing history and financial behavior, compiled by credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It includes the following information:
- Personal details (name, address, Social Security number)
- Current and past credit accounts
- Payment history
- Credit inquiries
- Public records such as bankruptcies or liens
The details in your report help lenders, landlords and even employers assess your financial reliability. Lenders use it to determine if you qualify for a home loan, credit card or other financing.
Your credit report can also influence the types of home loans you’re eligible for or the interest rate you receive when borrowing against your home equity.
Since your credit report is a key factor in home loan purchases and refinances, it’s a good idea to review it regularly. Request your credit report to check for inaccuracies, outdated information or signs of fraud that could hurt your credit score. By reviewing your full credit report, you can:
- Find opportunities to improve your credit score before applying for a mortgage or making a major purchase
- Dispute errors and resolve inaccuracies
- Spot signs of identity theft (and file a claim for fraudulent activity to repair your credit)
Knowing what’s in your credit report will give you more control over your finances and more peace of mind — whether or not you’re in the market for a major purchase.
The Law: Your Right to a Free Credit Report
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law designed to promote accuracy, fairness and privacy of consumer information in the files of credit reporting agencies. Among other protections, the FCRA gives you the right to access your credit information and dispute anything you believe is inaccurate.
As noted earlier, this law gives every consumer the right to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The reports are available only through AnnualCreditReport.com, the official website authorized by the federal government.
In addition, the FCRA allows you to request an extra free credit report if certain circumstances apply:
- You are unemployed and plan to apply for employment within the next 60 days
- You are receiving public welfare assistance
- You believe your credit report contains inaccurate information because of fraud
- You have been denied credit, insurance, or another type of adverse action within the past 60 days
These protections are meant to ensure you can monitor your credit, catch errors and protect yourself against identity theft without cost becoming a barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I get a free credit report?
You can get a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
Will checking my credit report hurt my credit score?
No. Checking your credit report is considered a “soft inquiry” and does not hurt your credit score.
What’s the difference between a credit report and a credit score?
A credit report is a summary of your credit history, while a credit score is a number based on that history used to measure your credit risk.
What should I look for when reviewing my report?
When you review your credit report, make sure your personal details are correct and that all accounts listed belong to you. Check that any late payments are reported accurately and that there are no duplicate entries. Lastly, make sure outdated negative entries, like old collections, have been removed.
What if I find an error in my credit report?
If you find an error in your credit report, file a dispute with the credit bureau that issued it and include any supporting documents. The bureau will investigate, usually within 30 days, and notify you of the results and any updates to your report.
Taking the Next Step
Getting your free credit report is one of the smartest and easiest steps you can take toward securing your financial future. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com today and claim your free report.
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