What is a credit report?
A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills and whether you have been sued or arrested or filed for bankruptcy. A credit file disclosure also includes a record of everyone who has requested and received a consumer report about you from the consumer reporting company within a certain period of time.
How do I request my report?
The national credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) have established a Central Source through which you request the free report. There are three options to request your report through this Central Source. Free credit reports requested online are viewable immediately upon authentication of identity. Free credit reports requested by phone or mail will be processed within 15 days of receiving your request.
Online
You can view and print your report online at AnnualCreditReport.com, a secure Web site. You must enter your Social Security Number to receive a free credit report. The site's security measures are designed to protect the personal identifiable information you provide from unauthorized access or alteration. To assure that your credit file is disclosed only to you, the consumer credit reporting companies will authenticate your identity utilizing the personal identification information you provide and then require that you answer certain questions.
By Phone
Call 1.877.322.8228 - you will go through a simple verification process over the phone. Your report will be mailed to you.
By Mail
You can download a request form to have your report sent by mail at AnnualCreditReport.com. Print out the form, complete and mail to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Tip!
You may order your reports from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies at the same time, or you can order your report from them one at a time. You may wish to order your free credit reports from the companies at different times during the year so that you can monitor any changes.
