Checking your credit every year might seem like a daunting task, but it's actually very easy. And that's a good thing, since getting your credit check can help to prevent identify theft, mistaken identity and cases where information on your credit report is incorrect. Incorrect credit information can cause problems for you and prevent you from getting approved for credit cards, loans and mortgages. Making sure your credit report looks how it should is vital for your financial health.
Step 1
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. This will give you access to the free credit report you are entitled to by law each year from the three major reporting agencies: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.
Step 2
Fill out the required information, which will include your state, date of birth, current address and Social Security number, and submit the form.
Step 3
Use the toll-free phone number to request a form to fill out or download one from the website and mail it in if you don't feel comfortable submitting the information online. The number to request a form is (877) 322-8228. If you download a form, the address you mail it to is:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Step 4
Go directly to the websites of the three credit reporting bureaus (see Resources) to receive a free copy of your credit report. If you don't have a legitimate reason, such as being turned down for credit in the past 60 days, you have to sign up for a free trial of a credit monitoring service to get your free report. Just be sure to cancel before the trial period ends.
Step 5
Call the credit reporting agencies individually to receive a hard copy of your credit report mailed to you. This is helpful if you need a copy of your credit report to show a potential employer. You can reach TransUnion at (800) 888-4213, Equifax at (800) 685-1111 and Experian at (888) 397-3742.
Tips and Warnings
- Review the information in your credit report and ensure it is accurate and up to date. If not, you will need to contact the applicable credit reporting agency immediately to have the issue addressed and corrected.
- Watch out for scams. The Federal Trade Commission warns that you should stick to annualcreditreport.com or the credit reporting bureaus themselves to get your credit report.
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