How to Get Your 3 Credit Reports

The federal government mandates that the credit bureaus--Experian, Equifax and TransUnion--allow consumers to check their credit report once per year free of charge. Your credit report contains information about how you have handled debt such as credit cards, auto loans and mortgages. Check your credit report annually to make sure the information on the report is correct. You can access your free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus online, over the phone or through the mail.

Instructions

1

Open the Annual Credit Report website (see resources) and select the state you live in. The site is the only website the Federal Trade Commission recognizes to distribute free credit reports.

2

Enter the requested information. You will need your date of birth, Social Security number and address. If you have moved within the past two years, you will have to submit your previous address as well.

3

Check the box next to each of the three credit bureaus. If you have requested your free report in the past 12 months, you will not be able to order a free report. After your request is submitted, you will be able to view your credit report online.

4

Dial 877-322-8228 if you want to order your credit reports over the phone instead of online. You will be asked for the same information over the phone and your report will be mailed to you within two or three weeks.

5

Fill out the paper application which you can download from annualcreditreport.com if you want to order by mail. The report will be sent to you within two or three weeks of when the application is received. Send the application to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.