How To Obtain Your Free Credit Reports

Follow These Simple Instructions to Obtain Your Free Credit Reports

There are three credit bureaus. You should obtain a credit report from each one so you can review your information across all three reporting agencies.

When you order your free annual credit reports, it does not affect your credit score. Every American has the right to receive a free copy of their credit report every year.

These are three credit bureaus:

• Experian
• Equifax
• TransUnion

Ways to Request Your Free Credit Reports

You may request your free credit reports by phone, online, or by mail. The fastest option is usually the official website, but phone and mail requests are also available.

1. Use the toll-free number: 1-877-322-8228
2. Use the website: www.annualcreditreport.com
3. Write a letter using the Annual Credit Report Request Form

Using the Toll-Free Number

Call 1-877-322-8228 to use the Central Source telephone number for all three credit bureaus. You will go through a simple verification process over the phone.

What to Expect During the Phone Request

The Annual Credit Report Request Service is sponsored by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This automated process allows you to order a copy of your credit report and have it sent to you by U.S. mail.

To help process your request, the system may use your home phone number to verify your name and address. Follow the prompts carefully and do not hang up until the request is complete.

Phone Request Steps

• Call 1-877-322-8228.
• Select whether you are calling from your home phone.
• Enter or say your home phone number, including the area code.
• Confirm your phone number if the system repeats it correctly.
• Select the option to place your request by phone.
• Provide your name, current mailing address, Social Security number, and date of birth.
• Confirm your street number and zip code.
• State whether you have an apartment or suite number.
• Confirm your first and last name.
• State whether your legal name has a generational suffix, such as Jr., II, or III.
• Confirm whether you have been at your current address for at least two years.
• Enter or say your Social Security number.
• Select whether you want your credit report to display no more than the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Enter or say your date of birth.
• Select whether you need your free annual credit report in a format accessible to the visually impaired.
• Select your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

You must choose one credit reporting company at a time for accurate processing. After selecting one report, the system will give you the option to select another report until you have requested all three.

Once your request is complete, your credit reports will be processed and mailed to you. The mailing process may take up to 15 days.

Using the Official Website

Go to www.annualcreditreport.com before ordering your report. This is the official site authorized by federal law for requesting your free credit reports.

You can usually get your report immediately when ordering online. Be careful when searching online because other websites may advertise free credit reports but try to sell you paid products or subscriptions.

The Federal Trade Commission required the three major credit bureaus to create a central source for consumers to obtain a free copy of their annual credit report. By following the official process, you can request your free credit disclosure reports without paying anything.

Online Request Steps

1. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
2. Click the option to request your free credit reports.

3. Then again click “Request your credit reports.”

3. Enter all required information and click the green “Next” button at the end of the form.

5. Check all three credit reports.

Verify Your Identity

5. Complete the verification process for each credit reporting agency.

There will be several questions used to verify your identity. Answer each question to the best of your ability.

Once you receive each credit report, save a copy to your computer. At the top of the screen, use the option to get your next credit report or finish after you have requested all three credit reports.

You may also ask for your report by phone or mail, but it may take up to 15 days to receive it.

Complete the Mail-In Request Form

If you cannot access your credit report online, you may need to mail a written request for your three major credit reports. The Annual Credit Report Request Form acts as your letter, so you do not need to write a separate one.

Start by downloading and printing the form. Complete each section carefully, because the form is scanned after it is received. Try not to let your writing touch the sides of any small box, because that may cause the form to scan incorrectly.

This instruction appears on the form, but it is printed in very small text. Taking your time with the form may help prevent delays and make sure you receive your free credit reports.

When the form is complete, place it in an envelope with the required identification documents. This may include a copy of your driver’s license, a utility bill, or another document that shows the same mailing address listed on your request form.

In some cases, a library card may also work, provided your name and address appear on the card and the address matches the one used on the form. The important point is that the credit reporting agencies need to confirm your identity and mailing address before sending your reports.

Download the Annual Credit Report Request Form

You may also request your free credit reports by mail. Just complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form below and mail it to the address below.

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281