How Do I Legally See My Credit Report Once A Year?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) entitles you to a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three main credit reporting bureaus (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax). You do not have to request them all at once, although you may if you wish. The law guarantees this opportunity to see your credit reports annually so you can check them for accuracy and report any mistakes, as well as monitoring for signs of identity theft.

Step 1

Gather information on your credit card accounts and other loans, as well as your Social Security number. You will need this information to prove your identity when you request your credit report. You will be required to provide it through a secure website, over the phone on a call you initiate or on a request form you print out and mail.

Step 2

Decide whether you want to get all three reports or to just one. You are entitled to free annual reports from all three bureaus, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends getting one every four months. This lets you monitor your credit throughout the year by requesting one report each quarter.

Step 3

Visit the official annualcreditreport.com website or call (877) 322-8228 to put in your request. The FTC says you can print out a form from the website and send it via postal mail if you are more comfortable doing the process in writing. You will need to provide demographic information and answer questions about your current accounts to prove your identity.

Tips and Warnings

You can also legally obtain a free credit report if you are turned down for a loan, credit card or other account. You are entitled to this even if you have already gotten your free copies under the FCRA. The lender must tell you which bureau it used to get your information and give you instructions for getting a copy of your report.
The FTC warns that you must use the official website or phone number to get your credit reports. Otherwise you could be drawn in to a commercial website offering free reports in exchange for paid products or services. If you are tricked into paying for what's supposed to be a free credit report, or if you receive spam emails offering such reports, file a complaint with the FTC.