How to Obtain a Personal Financial Credit Report

Every person is entitled to one free credit report annually. This credit report can be requested online, through the mail or by phone. The credit report has information from all three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Instructions

1

Visit the Annual Credit Report website (see Resources). Start your request for your free online annual credit report by entering your state. On the next screen, complete your identifying information, including your Social Security name, birth date, and current and previous addresses. Hit "Continue" button at the bottom of the screen after completing all information. After identity verification, your credit report will be available instantly on the screen. The report can be requested once per year unless you have reason to believe there is fraudulent activity associated with your account.

2

Request your free annual credit report by phone. Call (877) 322-8228. The operator will ask for the same identifying information that was asked for in the online form. Provide this information to have your credit report processed. Your credit report will be processed within 15 days and you should expect to receive it by mail within two to three weeks.

3

Request your free annual credit report by mail. Visit the Annual Credit Report website (see Resources). Click on the link for the request by mail form. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to download and view this form. Print the form and complete it in its entirety. After completion, mail the form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5281. Expect that it will take two to three weeks to be processed and received.