Free Copy Of My Credit Report

Many websites are offering “free” credit reports, but usually there is a tie-in connection to some paid service that comes with that “free” credit report. If you have the mindset of “I want a free copy of my credit report,” you can find it! The best place online is AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the ONLY website authorized to provide consumers in the United States a free credit report from each of the “big three” credit reporting agencies, as Congress mandated in 2003.

This website is run by the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Trans Union and Experian. It offers consumers an easy way to request their credit report online and view it or print it for their records without waiting for a mailed copy. If a consumer does not want to see their report online, the website provides addresses and telephone numbers for offline requests.

Consumers are entitled to receive a free copy of their credit report that is on file with each of the three CRAs (credit reporting agencies) once every 12 months. This was established by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act). Many consumers select one every 4 months, to keep a closer watch on their credit reports rather than waiting for 12 months. There is no need to pay for a credit report when a free copy of your credit report is mandatory. Credit scores are not credit reports: there is a charge to receive a credit score report. Credit scores are a way for lenders to estimate credit worthiness.

Security is an important issue for everyone, including the credit reporting agencies. Consumers who request their report online will be asked for their Social Security Number. If desired, the reports can be printed to display only the last four numbers on the printout. Personal questions will be asked for security authorization before your credit report will be accessible. Additional electronic security is provided by encryption of information. A final security measure is when the website requests users to enter characters from a picture.

Credit and personal information is highly sought after by criminals and thieves. There are websites that are a total scam and not related to any CRA. Always go directly to the official website, and never use any links in emails. The legitimate websites will never ask for information in an email. The correct and only website address to obtain a free copy of a credit report is: https://www.annualcreditreport.com.

Valuable consumer information is on this website, including address and telephone contact numbers. For corrections, to place a fraud alert, or to add a statement, you must contact the CRAs directly at their main websites. Information about credit and consumer rights is available at: www.ftc.gov.

On this website, consumers can start the process to retrieve a free copy of credit reports from any of the three major CRAs: Equifax, Experian or Trans Union. Simply go to the main webpage and enter the name of your state to begin. Take advantage of your free credit reports. This is the best and only place to seek a free copy of credit reports.