Where to get your credit report
You can get your credit report free once every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The official place to request all three reports is AnnualCreditReport.com, a government-authorized website run by the three bureaus together. You do not need to enter a credit card or pay anything.
When you visit AnnualCreditReport.com, you will answer security questions to verify your identity, then choose which bureau's report you want to see. You can pull all three at once or space them out over the year — many people check one every four months to monitor their credit throughout the year.
Each bureau also runs its own website where you can request your report directly: Equifax.com, Experian.com, and TransUnion.com. These sites may offer paid monitoring services, but the annual free report is always available without paying.
Key Takeaways
- AnnualCreditReport.com is the official free source for your credit report from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- You get one free report per bureau per year, meaning you can see three reports total if you request from all three.
- Your credit report lists accounts, payment history, and inquiries, but does not include your credit score unless you pay for it separately.
- Check your report for errors like accounts you did not open, wrong payment dates, or accounts that should be closed.
- If you find an error, contact the bureau in writing and include proof of the mistake — they have 30 days to investigate.
What information is on your credit report
Your credit report contains a record of your borrowing and payment history. It lists every credit account you have or had — credit cards, loans, mortgages, and lines of credit. For each account, the report shows the account holder (you or a co-signer), the account type, the credit limit or loan amount, your payment history for the past seven years, and whether the account is open or closed.
The report also shows hard inquiries — requests from lenders when you applied for credit. These stay on your report for two years. It includes public records like judgments or tax liens if they exist in your state. It does not include your credit score, your income, your employment history, or medical information.
The payment history section is what most lenders look at. It shows whether you paid on time, paid late (and by how many days), or missed payments entirely. A single late payment can stay on your report for seven years.
How to read your credit report
When you receive your report, it will be organized by section. Start with the personal information section at the top — verify your name, address, phone number, and Social Security number are correct. Mistakes here can cause confusion with other people's credit.
Next, review the accounts section. Go through every listed account and confirm you recognize it. Look for the account status (open, closed, or in dispute), the date opened, the credit limit or loan amount, and the payment history. The payment history usually shows the last 24 months month-by-month, with codes like "30" meaning 30 days late or "I" meaning in dispute.
Check the inquiries section for requests you do not remember authorizing. Soft inquiries (from employers or existing creditors checking your account) do not affect your credit. Hard inquiries (from lenders when you applied for credit) do count, and too many in a short time can lower your score.
Spotting errors on your report
Common errors include accounts opened in your name that you did not open, wrong payment dates (showing you paid late when you paid on time), accounts listed twice, closed accounts still showing as open, or accounts belonging to someone else with a similar name. Errors are more common than most people realize — check carefully.
If you see an account you do not recognize, it could be fraud, a mistake by the bureau, or a debt collector reporting under a different name. Do not ignore it. Write down the account name, account number, and the error you found.
If you spot a payment marked late that you know you paid on time, look for your bank statement or payment confirmation. If you see an account you never opened, check whether someone may have used your identity. If you see a closed account still reporting as open, that is usually a bureau error.
How to dispute an error
Contact the credit bureau in writing — not by phone or email. Include your name, address, Social Security number, and a description of the error. Attach a copy of proof (a bank statement, payment confirmation, or a letter from the creditor). Do not send originals; send copies only.
Mail your dispute to the bureau's dispute department. You can find the mailing address on your credit report or on the bureau's website. Keep a copy of everything you send and note the date you mailed it.
The bureau has 30 days to investigate your dispute. They will contact the creditor (the bank or lender) and ask them to verify the information. If the creditor cannot verify it, the bureau must remove it or correct it. If the creditor confirms the information is correct, the bureau will tell you the dispute is closed.
If the bureau does not respond within 30 days or if you disagree with their decision, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at ConsumerFinance.gov. You can also add a statement to your credit report explaining your side of the dispute.
When to check your report
Check your report at least once a year, even if you have not applied for credit recently. Errors and fraud can happen without your knowledge, and catching them early prevents damage to your credit score.
Check your report sooner if you are about to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or credit card — you want to know what lenders will see and fix any errors before they affect your approval. Also check if you have been denied credit, if you notice suspicious activity on your accounts, or if you think you may be a victim of identity theft.
If you find errors, check again after the bureau investigates to confirm the corrections were made. Some bureaus take longer than others to update their records.
Free monitoring services versus your annual report
Your free annual report from AnnualCreditReport.com shows your credit history as of the date you request it. It does not update automatically or send you alerts when something changes.
Many credit card companies and banks now offer free credit monitoring to their customers — this usually includes your credit score and alerts when your report changes. These services are free to use but are not required. Your annual report from AnnualCreditReport.com is sufficient if you check it regularly.
Paid monitoring services (usually $10 to $20 per month) offer real-time alerts and identity theft insurance, but they are optional. The free annual report and free monitoring from your bank cover most people's needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does checking my credit report lower my credit score?
No. Checking your own credit report is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score. Only hard inquiries from lenders when you explore for credit count toward your score.
What if I find fraud on my credit report?
Dispute the fraudulent accounts with the bureau in writing when ready. Also contact the creditor directly and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov. If the fraud is recent, you may also want to place a fraud alert with the bureaus, which requires lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts.
Can I get my credit report more than once a year?
You get one free report per bureau per year from AnnualCreditReport.com. You can purchase additional reports from the bureaus directly, or you may be may have access to to a free report if you have been denied credit, placed a fraud alert, or are receiving public information in some states.
How long do negative items stay on my credit report?
Late payments and charge-offs stay for seven years. Bankruptcy stays for seven to ten years depending on the type. Hard inquiries stay for two years. Paid tax liens stay for seven years in most states. Once the time period passes, the bureau must remove the item.
What should I do if the bureau says my dispute is closed but the error is still there?
Request a copy of the bureau's investigation results. If you disagree, file a complaint with the CFPB at ConsumerFinance.gov and include copies of your proof. You can also add a consumer statement to your report explaining the dispute, which lenders will see when they review your credit.