Where to get your credit report for free
You can get your credit report once per year from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — at no cost through AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the official site run by the three bureaus themselves. You do not need to enter a credit card or pay anything.
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com, click "Request Your Free Credit Reports", and choose whether you want all three reports at once or one at a time. You will answer security questions to verify your identity. Within minutes, you can view, read, and print each report.
If you prefer to order by phone instead of online, call 1-877-322-8228. You can also request a report by mail using the form on the AnnualCreditReport.com website, though this takes longer.
Key Takeaways
- AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official free source for your credit report from all three bureaus, and you are may have access to to one free report per year from each.
- Your credit score is different from your credit report — the report lists your payment history and debts, while the score is a number that lenders use to assess risk.
- You can see your credit score for free through your bank or credit card issuer's online portal, or through free services like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame.
- Credit reports often contain errors, so check for wrong accounts, incorrect payment history, or accounts that are not yours.
- If you find an error on your report, you can dispute it directly with the bureau that reported it, and they must investigate within 30 days.
How to find your credit score for free
Your credit score is separate from your credit report. The report shows your payment history and debts; the score is a three-digit number lenders use to decide whether to lend to you and at what rate. Many banks and credit card companies now show your score for free in their online portal or mobile app.
Log into your bank's website or app and look for a section called "Credit Score", "Credit Monitoring", or "Financial Health". If your bank offers it, your score will be there. You can also check your score through free third-party services like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, or Discover's Credit Scorecard — you do not need to be a customer of these companies to use them.
Keep in mind that different lenders use different scoring models, so your score may vary slightly depending on the source. The most common models are FICO and VantageScore. A score from one service may not match a score from another, and that is normal.
What to look for when you review your report
When you receive your credit report, scan it for accuracy. Check that your name, address, and Social Security number are correct. Look at the accounts listed — credit cards, loans, mortgages — and make sure they are all yours and that the payment history shown is accurate.
Watch for red flags: accounts you do not recognize, late payments you know you made on time, accounts marked as closed that you never closed, or duplicate entries for the same debt. These errors can lower your score and make it harder to borrow money.
Also check the "inquiries" section, which shows when lenders have looked at your credit. Hard inquiries (when you explore for credit) should match applications you actually made. Soft inquiries (from employers or existing creditors) do not affect your score.
How to dispute errors on your credit report
If you find an error, you can dispute it with the bureau that reported it. You do not need to hire a company to do this — you can do it yourself for free. Write a letter to the bureau explaining what is wrong and include a copy of your report with the error circled. Send it certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
The three bureaus' dispute addresses are:
- Equifax: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
- Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
- TransUnion: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19022
You can also dispute online through each bureau's website. The bureau must investigate your dispute within 30 days and contact you with the results. If the error is confirmed, they will remove it from your report.
How often to check your credit
You are may have access to to one free report per year from each bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com. A smart approach is to request one report every four months — one from Equifax, then Experian, then TransUnion — so you monitor your credit throughout the year without waiting until the end.
If you are concerned about identity theft or have recently been denied credit, you can also place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your account. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts. A credit freeze blocks access to your report entirely, which stops most new accounts from being opened in your name.
For ongoing monitoring between your annual reports, use a free service like Credit Karma or your bank's built-in credit monitoring. These update regularly and alert you to major changes.
Understanding the difference between hard and soft inquiries
When you check your own credit, it is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score. When a lender checks your credit because you applied for a loan or credit card, it is a hard inquiry and may lower your score slightly — usually by a few points.
Hard inquiries stay on your report for two years but stop affecting your score after about 12 months. Multiple hard inquiries within a short time (like when you are shopping for a mortgage) may count as a single inquiry, so do not worry if you explore for several loans within a few weeks.
Employers, insurance companies, and existing creditors can also check your credit, but these are soft inquiries and do not hurt your score.
What to do if you cannot access your report online
If you have trouble verifying your identity on AnnualCreditReport.com, you can request your report by mail or phone. For mail, read the form from the website and send it with a copy of your ID and proof of address to the address listed on the form.
By phone, call 1-877-322-8228 and follow the prompts. The process takes longer by mail — usually 15 days — but it works if you cannot verify online. You can also contact each bureau directly if you need help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will checking my own credit score hurt it?
No. When you check your own credit, it is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score at all. Only hard inquiries from lenders lower your score, and even then only slightly.
Why is my credit score different on different websites?
Different companies use different scoring models and different data. FICO and VantageScore are the most common, and they calculate scores differently. Variations of 10 to 50 points between sources are normal and do not mean anything is wrong.
How long does it take to get my free credit report?
Online requests through AnnualCreditReport.com are when ready — you can view your report within minutes. Mail requests take about 15 days. Phone requests are also when ready if you call 1-877-322-8228.
Can I dispute an error if it is more than a year old?
Yes. There is no time limit on disputing errors. If you find an inaccuracy, you can dispute it whenever you discover it, even if it has been on your report for years.
What should I do if I see an account I do not recognize?
Dispute it when ready with the bureau that reported it. This could be a sign of identity theft. You can also place a fraud alert on your credit by contacting any of the three bureaus, which tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts.