How to Get a Free Credit Report

Introduction

• The information on your credit report determines whether you will get a credit card, a loan, or a mortgage. It can even affect your chances of getting an apartment or a job. The passage of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act in December 2003 required each of three credit agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) to give consumers a free credit report once every twelve months upon request. Though many websites and other sources claim they will give you a free credit report, most are scams. Avoid the fraudsters by following the instructions below.

Things to Know Before You Get a Credit Report

Avoid frustration - have documents on hand

• Before you try to access your credit reports, you'll need your financial records at hand. You should make a decision about how you want to obtain the credit reports - by phone, mail or Internet. You may also want to think about whether you want to get them all at once, or space them out.

1. You may be asked detailed financial information before you are given your information. Make sure to have your financial records at hand, as well as a list of the addresses you've lived at over the past several years.
2. The Motley Fool notes that not all companies report your information to all three credit agencies. Some only report to one or two, which means your data could vary widely between the agencies' reports.
3. Companies who plan to do business with you will often only contact one credit reporting company to learn your credit status. If that report isn't accurate, it could damage your reputation.
4. Consumers Union recommends that you get one at a time, every 4 months. In other words, get one from Experian now, one from Equifax four months from today, and one from TransUnion four months after that date.
5. The Motley Fool recommends consumers get their first credit reports all at once, and then twelve months later begin acquiring them one at a time on an every four months schedule.

Advertisement

• LifeLock: The only Identity Theft Prevention Solution backed by a one-million dollar guarantee! (Sponsored)

How to Get a Free Credit Report on the Web

• The easiest way to get a free credit report is via the Web. You can't get it from the individual credit agency websites, however; you must go to the official website set up by the three agencies.

1. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only website authorized to give out annual free credit reports.

   AnnualCreditReport.com

2. In the window in the middle of the page, where it says "Start Here", select your state from the pull-down menu.
3. Click the "Request Report" button.
4. On the page that appears, type out your personal information.
   • If you have lived at your current address for less than two years, you will need to give your previous address as well.
5. At the bottom of the page, click the "Continue" button.
   

   You do not have to purchase any offered services to get your free credit report
6. The next page will let you choose which companies you would like to get a credit report from. Select the company (or companies) you are interested in, and click "Next".
   • Each company will give you a free credit report only once every 12 months.
7. The company you've selected may ask you detailed financial information in order to identify you. Make sure to have your financial records on hand!
8. The companies will often give you the option of adding more services for a fee. They're just trying to make money off you. You are not required to add these services.
9. Click "Accept" to accept their service agreement.
10. You will now be able to view and print out your credit report.

How to Get a Free Credit Report by Phone

• If you don't have a way to print your credit report and want a hard copy, getting your report by phone may be your best option. It will also protect you from fraudulent web sites.
  

  Photo by Girinath Gopinath.

1. Call 1-877-322-8228 from your home phone.
2. You will need to give your name, current address, social security number, and date of birth.
   • The service is almost entirely voice activated.
   • Only your social security number and birth date can be entered via your telephone's keypad.
   • If you have any problems with speech or the English language, this option will not work well for you!
3. After you identify yourself, you can choose which companies you would like to get a credit report from.
   • Each company will give you a free credit report only once every 12 months.
4. You will receive your credit report by mail in four to five weeks.

How to Get a Free Credit Report by Mail

1. Download the PDF file at this link.
2. Print out the form.
3. Fill out the form.
4. Mail the form to:
   • Annual Credit Report Request Service
   • P.O. Box 105281
   • Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
5. You will receive your credit report by mail in four to five weeks.

Advertisement

• LifeLock: The only Identity Theft Prevention Solution backed by a one-million dollar guarantee! (Sponsored)

How to Get a Free Credit Report Resources

• FTC.gov: Your Access to Free Credit Reports
• Government Printing Office: Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003
• Credit reporting agency: TransUnion
• Credit reporting agency: Equifax Personal Solutions
• Credit reporting agency: Experian
• MSN Money: Credit reports now free for entire U.S.
• The Motley Fool: Your Free Credit Report Is Here! (2005)
• MSN Money: How to read your credit report
• Consumers Union: What should I do if I become a victim of identity theft?
• Get Rich Slowly: How to Obtain Your Free Credit Report (2006)
• baltimoresun.com: Checking credit reports becomes free, more important (2005)
• The New York Times: Free Credit Reports Coming, With Pitches (2004)
• Michigan Office of the Attorney General: Free Annual Credit Reports-What Consumers Should Know
• The Washington Post: Check Out Your Credit Report (2006)

Related Searches