The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to receive a credit report from each of the 3 credit bureaus every year for free. This was enacted by the FTC to allow people to audit their credit report for errors and misuse. The advice on getting free annual credit reports below will help you get started.

What Is Detailed in Credit Reports

Each credit report contains personal information and a full view of your financial history. This includes your previous addresses, credit cards and loans, and financial judgments against you such as a lawsuit or bankruptcy filing. They are used by creditors, employers, insurers, and the like to evaluate your capacity to honor a new debt. It is thus worthwhile to confirm that the information does not have any mistakes.

Requesting Report Copies

There are three separate credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Each may contain somewhat varying sets of data on you. They also measure scores differently. There is a centralized website at annualcreditreport.com where you may get your credit reports. You can also contact them at 1-877-322-8228 or mail a special request form to them. You must give your name, birth date, social security, and current and past addresses to verify your identity.

Other Website Options

Many other websites take data from specific credit bureaus and review credit activity. They inform you of specific changes to your profile (such as your score being reviewed or new debts established). This is helpful for managing your score throughout the year and alerting you to any acts of fraud.

CreditKarma.com is a service that provides no-cost monitoring and will not actually ask you for a credit card. Many alternate services are advertised as free but ultimately charge a fee beyond an initial month, so ask about the terms prior to registering. Additionally, be aware of phony sites that are located at frequent mistyping of URLs. These websites are established to take your private information.

Summary of Advice On Getting Free Annual Credit Reports

The above advice on receiving your free annual credit reports will hopefully help get you started. Fetch a copy of your report and review it closely. Contact the credit agencies to ask for the removal of any mistakes. For more complicated matters, consider hiring a credit repair specialist for further help. This article is provided only as an overview and must not be construed as financial advice.