How to Get Free Yearly Credit Reports
Under the Federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act, the federal government requires the three major credit reporting agencies provide free yearly credit reports to consumers. Each of the agencies - Equifax, Transunion, and Experian - maintains its own credit file on consumers. Here's what you should know about ordering your free annual credit report.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Do not follow links that you receive by email inviting you to receive a free annual credit report. The credit reporting agencies will not send you these types of emails. This type of mail is probably spam from a credit monitoring service, or worse yet, "phishing" from a scammer who is trying to obtain your personal information for fraudulent use.
-
2
Don't be fooled by credit monitoring services providing "free" credit reports. In order to receive your yearly credit report through one of these services, you'll have to become a subscriber and pay a monthly fee. While credit monitoring can be a useful tool, it isn't necessary to purchase this service to receive your free yearly credit report.
-
-
3
To get free yearly credit reports, go to www.annualcreditreport.com. This is the website set up by the credit bureaus to comply with the law requiring free annual credit reports for consumers. You can request your report online by entering your personal information. Be sure to go to the site through a reputable link or by typing the web address in your browser. Don't follow links from shady websites or email spam.
-
4
If you prefer to request your report by mail, you can download and print a form from www.annualcreditreport.com instead of requesting the report online. You can also request your credit report by phone. Links on the home page of the website provide instructions for requesting your report by mail or phone.
-
5
You can only order a free report from each of the credit reporting agencies once each year. You have the option of ordering free yearly credit reports from all three agencies at once, or you may request them one at a time. You will need to indicate which reports (Experian, Transunion, or Equifax) you are requesting when you complete the request either online, or by mail or phone. It's far simpler to order them all at once; then you won't forget which ones you ordered when.
-
6
If you order any of these reports more than once per year, you will have to pay a fee for each additional report. Each report will cost $11, plus an additional fee if you wish to view your credit scores. If you live in one of the following states or territories, you may receive additional reports for free or at a reduced fee: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, Vermont, Virgin Islands.
-
7
Under certain circumstances, you may also be entitled to a free copy of your report even if you have already requested your free annual report under the FACT Act. If you were denied credit, employment, or housing based on information in your credit file, if you receive unemployment or welfare benefits, or if you suspect fraudulent activity related to your credit report, you may be able to get a free copy of your report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
-
1
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Sanja Gjenero
