Credit Reports - Free Reports Text Size:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how credit reporting agencies use your information. The FCRA restricts who has access to your sensitive credit information and how that information can be used. The FCRA also requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months.

Pick Your Ordering Method

The three companies have set up one central website, toll-free telephone number and mailing address through which you can order your free credit report. You can order your free annual credit report online at annualcreditreport.com, by calling 1-877-322-8228 or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

The three nationwide consumer reporting companies only provide free annual credit reports through the website, phone number and address above so do not contact them directly about your free annual report.

One Official Web Site - No Purchase Necessary

Many unofficial Web sites claim to offer "free credit reports" but annualcreditreport.com is the only authorized Web site. The other Web sites that offer supposedly free reports, require you to purchase other products in order to get your "free report." While consumers may be offered additional products or services while on the authorized Web site, they are not required to make a purchase to receive their free annual credit reports.

Personal Information Required

When you order your report at annualcreditreport.com, you must provide your name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. If you have moved in the last two years, you may have to give your previous address. To verify your identity, you may need to provide some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. Each company may ask you for different information. That's because the information each company has in your file may come from different sources. If your identity cannot be authenticated for online delivery of your credit report, you will receive further instructions on how to request your report for delivery by the US Postal Service.

Information That Must Be Disclosed in Reports

Except for information concerning credit scores, risk scores or other predictors and FBI security clearance checks, all information in your credit file at the time of your request for a credit report must be provided to you. The consumer reporting agency must also reveal the source of its information. In addition, a summary of consumer rights must be included with your report.

Timing of Receipt of Free Credit Reports

It is up to you whether you order all three credit reports at the same time or order each one at a different time. The advantage of ordering all three at the same time is that you can compare them. The advantage of ordering one now and others later is that you can keep track of any changes or new information that may appear on your credit report. If you order from only one company today you can still order from the other two companies at a later date.

Questions for Your Attorney

• I requested my free annual credit report from one of the credit reporting companies three weeks ago but have not received it yet. Are credit reporting companies required to send a report within a specific amount of time?
• Are the credit reporting companies required to give me my credit score when I request my free annual report? Are they allowed to charge me a fee for my credit score?
• Can my spouse request and receive my free annual credit report?

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