Is There a Way to Check Your Credit Report for Free?

Your credit report contains information about your lines of credit and your history of payments on those lines. It also contains information about any outstanding debts that you have not settled, such as phone bills. Banks use your credit report to decide whether to give you a loan for a home or a car, and some employers use a credit report to determine an applicant's eligibility for a job opening. Get a free copy of your credit report to make sure inaccuracies do not preclude you from homeownership or a better job.

Instructions

1

Navigate to AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only website authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to provide your credit report at no charge. Other sites may try to entice you into buying something, such as credit protection, in exchange for your report.

2

Select your state from the drop-down box on the left side of the page under the words "Start Here," and click "Request Report."

3

Complete all the text fields marked with red asterisks. You will need to enter your first and last name, Social Security number, birth date and current address. Click "Continue" at the bottom of the page when you have filled out all the fields.

4

Select which of the three reports you would like to receive. You are entitled to each report once a year. Monitor your credit by ordering a different report every four months. Click "Next" after you have made your selection.

5

Confirm your personal information when you are redirected to the credit reporting agency's website and click "Continue" at the bottom of the page.

6

Click "Submit Order Now" at the bottom of the page to confirm that you want to view your credit report. Your credit report appears on the next screen.