How to Get Your Free Credit Report (All 3 Bureaus, Every Year)

You can get your credit report from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — completely free, every single week, at AnnualCreditReport.com. That is the only website federally authorized under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Anyone charging you for your own report is selling you something you already own.

The Only Official Source: AnnualCreditReport.com

Free weekly reports from all three bureaus started as a pandemic measure and were made permanent in October 2023. Three ways to request:

• Online: AnnualCreditReport.com — instant access
• Phone: 1-877-322-8228
• Mail: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

You'll verify your identity with questions only you should know (old addresses, loan amounts). If verification fails online, the mail option always works.

Report vs. Score: They Are Not the Same Thing

Your free credit report shows your accounts, balances, payment history, inquiries, and negative items. It does not include your credit score. For free scores:

• Many banks and card issuers show your FICO score free in their app
• Experian gives a free FICO 8 score with a free account
• Equifax and TransUnion offer free VantageScore access through their own portals and partners

What to Check On Each Report (5-Minute Audit)

1. Identity info: wrong addresses or names you never used can signal mixed files or fraud
2. Accounts you don't recognize: possible identity theft — report it at IdentityTheft.gov (FTC)
3. Late payments you believe were on time: disputable under the FCRA
4. Balances and limits: wrong limits distort your utilization ratio
5. Negative items past their expiration: most fall off after 7 years (10 for Chapter 7 bankruptcy)

Found an Error? Dispute It Free

The bureau must investigate within 30 days under the FCRA — this costs nothing and requires no company. Our goodwill letter guide covers late payments that are accurate-but-forgivable, and disputes handle the inaccurate ones.

Pull Schedule That Actually Makes Sense

Since reports are free weekly, rotate: pull one bureau's report at the start of each month. You'll see every bureau 4 times a year with fresh eyes, and catch new problems within weeks instead of years.