How to Receive a Free Credit Report

A credit report usually costs between $5 and $10, but if you meet any of the following criteria, you may be eligible to receive a free copy of your report from any of the three credit report agencies (Equifax, Experian - formerly TRW - and Trans Union).

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Credit Reports

1. Determine if you meet any of the following criteria:

2. You are unemployed and plan to seek employment within 60 days;

3. You are on welfare;

4. You believe there is an inaccuracy in your credit file due to fraud;

5. You can show that you've been denied credit, insurance, employment or rental housing based on information in your credit file;

6. You can show that you have suffered an "adverse action," such as a reduction in the credit line on a credit card or an unexpected increase in the interest rate on a credit card.

7. If you meet any one of the above criteria, you qualify for a free credit report.

8. Contact one or more of the three credit bureaus and request a free report. Each bureau has different guidelines for ordering free reports. If you think your situation is complicated or needs clarification, call the toll-free number provided by the bureau.

9. If you have any questions about your legal rights, please consult the Fair Credit Reporting Act (ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm).

Tips & Warnings

• If you believe you qualify under any of the above criteria, make sure you have proof available to present to the credit bureau from which you want to receive the report.

• If you live in Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey or Vermont, you automatically qualify for one free credit report per year.

• If you mail your request to the credit agencies, be sure to send it by certified mail with a return receipt requested (this costs approximately $3).

• Different creditors report your information to different credit bureaus. Just because something shows on one credit report does not mean it will show on one or more of the other reports (and vice versa).

• If you were denied credit or were subject to "adverse action" as described above, you are eligible to obtain a free report only from the credit bureau that provided the information used against you.

• Each credit reporting agency varies slightly in its criteria for sending a free report. Contact each agency to get specific requirements.