How to Request Your Free Credit Report From the Three Bureaus

Getting free credit reports from the nationwide credit-reporting bureaus is easy. A website, Annual Credit Report, was established by the bureaus to offer free reports under the terms of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It is the only website authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to offer free credit reports. Other websites advertise that they offer free reports, but many try to sell you a service as you obtain your report. Credit reports through Annual Credit Report are completely free.

Instructions

1

Go to the Annual Credit Report website (see Resources).

2

Click on the "Request Report" button on the Annual Credit Report homepage to access and print a credit report from one of the three major credit-reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). You're entitled to three free reports every 12 months, one from each of the bureaus.

3

Repeat the process a second and third time to order free reports from the other bureaus. Or order additional reports by mail. To request a report by mail, click on "Request your report through the mail" on the Annual Credit Report homepage. You will be prompted to download and print a document that must be mailed. Send the document to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281

Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

4

To order credit reports by phone, call 877-322-8228.