Where to request your free credit report

You are may have access to to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The official way to request it is through AnnualCreditReport.com, a website created by the Federal Trade Commission and operated by the three bureaus together. This is the only site authorized by federal law to provide the free report without requiring a credit card.

You can request your report online, by phone at 1-877-322-8228, or by mail. Online is fastest — you answer security questions to verify your identity, and you can view or read your report when ready. By phone, a representative will guide you through the same verification process. If you mail a request, include your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number on a signed letter, then mail it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Mail requests typically take 15 days.

Key Takeaways

  • AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official source for your free annual credit report from all three bureaus.
  • You receive one free report per bureau per year, which means you can request reports three times yearly if you space them out by four months.
  • Your free report shows your payment history, account balances, and inquiries, but does not include your credit score unless you pay for it separately.
  • Checking your own report does not lower your credit score, even though hard inquiries from lenders do.
  • Dispute errors directly with the bureau that reported them, using the contact information on your report itself.

What information appears on your credit report

Your credit report lists every account you have opened in your name: credit cards, loans, mortgages, and lines of credit. For each account, it shows the creditor's name, the account number, when you opened it, your credit limit or loan amount, your current balance, and your payment history for the past seven years. It also lists inquiries — requests from lenders or employers to see your report — and public records like judgments or tax liens if they exist.

The report does not include your credit score. The score is a separate product that lenders calculate from the information on your report. You can see your score for free through many banks and credit card issuers, or you can purchase it from the bureaus themselves, but it is not part of your annual free report.

How to read and check for errors

Start by reviewing the personal information at the top: your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. Errors here can indicate identity theft. Then go through each account listed and confirm you recognize it and that the payment history is correct. Look for accounts you did not open, payments marked late that you made on time, or balances that do not match your records.

If you find an error, do not contact AnnualCreditReport.com or the FTC — they do not handle disputes. Instead, contact the bureau that issued the report directly. The report itself includes the bureau's dispute phone number and mailing address. You can also dispute online through each bureau's website. Provide the specific account number, explain what is wrong, and include copies of documents that support your claim. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond.

Spacing out your three free reports throughout the year

Since you get one free report per bureau per year, you can request all three at once or spread them out. Many people request one report every four months — first Equifax, then Experian, then TransUnion — so they have a fresh report to review roughly every four months without paying. This also makes it easier to spot new fraudulent accounts, since you are checking more frequently.

If you suspect fraud or identity theft, you can request all three reports at once and review them together. You can also place a fraud alert or security freeze with the bureaus, which limits who can open new accounts in your name. A fraud alert lasts one year and is free; a security freeze is permanent until you remove it and is also free.

When you might want to pay for additional reports

Your free annual report does not include your credit score, which is what lenders actually use to decide whether to lend to you and at what interest rate. If you want to see your score, you have several options. Many credit card issuers and banks show your score for free in your online account. Credit monitoring services like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame also provide free scores and alerts when your report changes. These free services use educational scores, which are calculated the same way as lender scores but may not match exactly.

If you want your official FICO score — the score most lenders use — you can purchase it directly from myfico.com. The cost varies but is typically around $20 to $30 for a single score. You can also purchase scores from the bureaus themselves through their websites. Paying for a score does not affect your credit in any way.

How checking your own report affects your credit

Requesting your own credit report does not lower your score. The bureaus distinguish between a soft inquiry, which is what happens when you check your own report, and a hard inquiry, which is what happens when a lender checks your report as part of a lending decision. Only hard inquiries can lower your score, and only slightly and temporarily. Soft inquiries do not appear on the version of your report that lenders see.

You should check your report regularly — at least once a year — because catching errors or fraud early can prevent damage to your score and your finances. The longer an error sits on your report, the more it affects your creditworthiness.

What to do if you find signs of identity theft

If your report shows accounts you did not open or inquiries from companies you never contacted, act quickly. First, place a fraud alert with all three bureaus by contacting one of them — the alert automatically notifies the other two. You can do this online, by phone, or by mail. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts, which slows down a thief's ability to open accounts in your name.

Second, consider placing a security freeze, which prevents lenders from accessing your report at all without your permission. This is stronger protection than a fraud alert but requires you to temporarily lift the freeze when you actually want to open a new account. Both are free. You should also monitor your credit reports more frequently — some people check one report every four months instead of once a year — and consider a credit monitoring service that alerts you to changes on your report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my credit report more than once a year for free?

You get one free report per bureau per year. You can request all three at once or space them out. If you suspect fraud, you can request additional reports, and some states allow extra free reports in specific situations — check your state's laws or contact the bureaus directly.

Is AnnualCreditReport.com safe to use?

Yes. It is the official government-authorized site and does not require a credit card. Avoid other sites that advertise free credit reports — many are scams or charge hidden fees. Stick to AnnualCreditReport.com, your bank's website, or the bureaus' official sites.

What if I find an error on my report but the bureau says it is correct?

If the bureau investigates and disagrees with you, you have the right to add a statement to your report explaining your side. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or your state's attorney general. Keep copies of all correspondence with the bureau.

Does checking my credit report lower my score?

No. Checking your own report is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score. Only hard inquiries from lenders lower your score, and only by a few points temporarily.

Why does my credit score differ across different websites?

Different companies use different scoring models. FICO and VantageScore are the two main models, and each has multiple versions. Lenders may use any of these. Your official FICO score from myfico.com is what most lenders use, but educational scores from free services are close enough to track your progress.