How to Obtain Credit Reports Online

The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that the major credit bureaus in the United States provide consumers, upon their request, one free credit report every 12 months. The three credit bureaus affected by this legislation are TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. You should check your credit report once per year to make sure the information it contains about your financial past is accurate. Though credit bureaus have safeguards, errors do occur, and should they go uncorrected, they can cost you extra money in interest or even prevent you from getting a loan or a job.

Instructions

1

Go to the annual credit report website (see resources). This is the only site recognized by the Federal Trade Commission as being able to issue your annual credit report.

2

Select your state of residence from the drop down menu on the left-hand side of the website and then click "Request Report."

3

Complete the required information, including your address, birthday and Social Security number. The website encrypts your information to protect your identify.

4

Select the credit bureaus you wish to request a credit report from after entering your information. Once you have selected the bureaus, you will be able to view your credit report online.