Get Your Free Credit Report

Federal Law requires each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

A credit report is used by a variety of companies to evaluate your application for credit. It is up to you to make sure your credit report is correct. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website, a toll-free number, and a mailing address where you can order your “Free Annual Report.” No matter which method you choose, you have the option to request reports from the nationwide credit reporting companies all at once or one report at a time. By requesting the reports at the same time, you can determine whether any of your files have errors. By requesting the reports separately, you can monitor your credit files more frequently throughout the year. You may think you have one credit report and one credit score, but you really have several, and they may differ. All three reports should be checked regularly. You may check your credit report immediately online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Tip: Be cautious of websites that claim to offer free credit reports. A number of sites will only give you a free report if you buy other products or services. Still, others give you a free report and then bill you for services you have to cancel. www.annualcreditreport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them.

Allow 15 days for phone or mail requests. Call (877) 322-8228 or mail your request form to: Annual Credit Report Services, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Annual Credit Report Request Forms are available online at www.annualcreditreport.com.