Requesting Your Free Credit Report
Your credit report can be used for more than just a loan approval. That’s why it’s important to look at your reports each year to make sure your information is correct. You should request your credit report from all three nationwide credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – since each report can have different information in it.
What to do
- Pick a method to order your credit reports. You can get them online, by phone or by mail. If you get your reports online, be sure you’re accessing them from a safe and secure device and location. Be very cautious doing this on public computers, since you’re accessing sensitive personal information and you want to keep it safe
- Be ready to answer some security questions if you request your report online or by phone. You’ll be asked questions meant to be hard for anyone but you. If you can’t answer, you’ll have to request the report by mail. Questions might be:
- How much is your monthly mortgage or car payment?
- Which bank is your auto loan from?
- Decide when you’ll order each report. Consider getting a report from a different credit reporting company every four months, as a way to monitor your credit for free
Strategies for requesting your credit reports
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Request on three separate dates |
Check your reports on three different dates throughout the year. Staggering them can help you see if anything is changing throughout the year or if any fraud has occurred. |
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Request on a single date |
Choose a single date that's easy to remember, like a birthday or holiday, to request all three of your reports at once. This is good if you're buying something big soon, requiring new credit, so you can correct errors right away. |
How to request your free reports
The federal government authorizes only one source for your free credit reports. You can make a request online, by phone or by mail.
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877.922.8228 |
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Download and complete the form Then mail the completed form to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta GA 30348-5281 |
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Source: consumerfinance.gov
This material is provided for educational and information purposes only. It is not a replacement for the guidance or advice of an accountant, certified advisor or otherwise qualified professional.