Order a Free Credit Report

Free Annual Credit Report Program

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promotes the accuracy and privacy of information contained in the files of credit reporting companies. This federal law allows you to request and obtain a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

The three nationwide credit reporting companies have set up one website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free report.

To order, visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to:

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

Do not contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies directly.

You may order your report from each of the three nationwide companies at the same time, or you can order from only one or two. The FCRA allows you to order one free copy from each company every 12 months.

You will need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may have to provide your previous address. To maintain the security of your file, each nationwide credit reporting company may ask you for some information that only you would know, like the name of the lender where you financed an automobile loan. Each company may ask you for different information because the information each has in your file may come from different sources.

Reviewing your credit report from each of the three nationwide companies is important, to ensure the information is correct and current. Credit reports may affect your housing requests, loan rates, credit card approvals, and even your job application.   

Other situations where you might be eligible for a free report

You're entitled to a free credit report if an organization takes adverse action against you, such as denying your application for credit, insurance, or employment, based on information in your report. You must ask for your report within 60 days of receiving notice of the action. The notice will give you the name, address, and phone number of the credit reporting company.

You're also entitled to one free report a year if you're unemployed and plan to look for a job within 60 days; if you're on public assistance; or if your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft. Otherwise, a credit reporting company may charge you a modest fee for another copy of your report within a 12-month period. To buy a copy of your report, contact the three credit reporting companies:

• Equifax-1-800-685-1111
www.equifax.com
• Experian-1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com
• TransUnion-1-800-888-4213
www.transunion.com