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Your credit report contains information that many businesses use to make a decision about you. This includes banks, insurance companies, landlords, mortgage lenders, and even employers. It's very important that you know what's in your credit report and that you correct any inaccuracies to prevent negative effects on your financial health and welfare.
The recommended way to obtain a free copy of your credit report is through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the ONLY authorized source to get your free annual credit report under federal law. AnnualCreditReport.com is very different from FreeCreditReport.com which you have probably seen on television. Be wary of services that offer a trial membership or request your credit card number. There are no hidden fees or trial memberships with AnnualCreditReport.com.
If you do not want to use the AnnualCreditReport.com request form, you can also write directly to the credit bureaus to request a free copy of your credit report. With AnnualCreditReport.com or writing directly to the credit bureaus, you can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) once every 12 months. In addition to AnnualCreditReport.com, there are 4 other ways you can get a free copy of your credit report.
1. You Were Denied Credit, Insurance, or Employment
Federal law also says you can get a credit report free if you have an application denied because of information in your credit report. To get a free copy of your credit report, you must request your credit report from the credit bureau within 60 days of learning you were denied. Contact the agency who denied your application to learn which credit bureau furnished the credit report, and submit your request for a free credit report to that credit bureau.
2. Unemployed and Looking For a Job
If you are unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days, you can get a free copy of your credit report. Contact the credit bureaus and let them know you are job hunting and you would like to receive a free credit report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
3. Receive Government Assistance
If you are on welfare, you are entitled to receive a credit report free. Simply request your credit report from the credit bureaus.
4. Victim of Identity Theft
You can also receive a free copy of your credit report if you are a victim of identity theft and have inaccurate information on your credit report such as accounts that do not belong to you or addresses where you have never lived.
If you are having problems with debt collectors or you want to remove errors from your credit report, then request a FREE copy of our Consumer Rights E-Book and Newsletter and discover:
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17 ways debt collectors violate your rights
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Where to file complaints against business you regularly use
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How to dispute incorrect information on your credit report
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