How to Get a Free Credit Report by Mail
Federal law allows you, as a consumer, to request a free annual copy of your credit report from each of the three main credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). You can request your free credit reports through the web, phone or regular mail. Each method of ordering your report if secure -- if you choose to request via regular mail, you must compete a few steps in order to ensure your credit report is sent to you in a timely manner.
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Instructions
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Download the request form via the official free credit report site at annualcreditreport.com. You'll need to have an Adobe viewer to view the document.
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Fill out the form completely. Be sure to choose which credit reports you want to receive -- you can opt to have your reports from all three agencies sent to you at once, or you can request one at a time.
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Mail your request in a #10 size envelope to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281Your free credit report(s) will be mailed to you within two to three weeks.
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Follow up. If you do not receive your free credit reports within a month, contact a customer service representative at 1-877-322-8228 to inquire. The representative will be able to check the status of your report(s) and let you know if there are any issues that prevent the mailing of your credit reports.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider sending your free credit report request through certified mail with return-receipt requested. This will give you a way to track your letter and make sure it arrived at the correct address.
If you don't want to wait the two to three weeks for your report, consider filling out a request online or through the customer service phone number. You'll have immediate access to your reports if you request online.
Annualcreditreport.com is the only web site authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to offer consumers access to free credit reports. Other web sites may say they give free access, but in reality they require enrollment in a credit-monitoring service or the purchase of some other service.
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