Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act you are allowed to get your report from each of the three reporting agencies for free once every 12 months. If you want to review your reports and it has been less than a year since your last request for free reports, you can still get them by paying. Whether you are getting your free annual credit reports or paying to get an additional copy of your report, you can choose to get them online or by mail.
Free Reports
Step 1
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com for the request service phone number or to download the request form to get your free credit report by mail. The current number, as of December 2009, is (877) 322-8228.
Step 2
Call the request service phone number or print out the request form.
Step 3
Provide your name, birthday and Social Security number when prompted by the phone service or in the appropriate space on the form.
Step 4
Provide your current address. If you have not lived at your current address for at least two years, also provide your previous address.
Step 5
Select the credit agency that you want to request a report from. The agencies are TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.
Step 6
Mail your form if you are making the request by mail. The address is Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281, which you can verify at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Paid Reports
Step 1
Contact the agency whose report you want to request. You can make the request by phone or call to receive instructions for mailing your request. Experian's number is (888)397-3742, TransUnion's number is (800) 888-4213, and Equifax's number is (800) 685-1111.
Step 2
Provide your name, birthday and Social Security number.
Step 3
Provide your current address and any previous addresses you have had during the past two years. The agency may ask you to submit verification of your address if you have lived there for less than six months.
Step 4
Submit payment for your report. You can use a credit card if you are making the request by phone, or check or money order if you are doing it by mail. The fee varies by state but should be $12 or less.
Tips and Warnings
- It will take approximately two to three weeks to get your credit report by mail. If you don't want to wait for your credit report, consider ordering it online. You can order your free report at AnnualCreditReport.com or pay for one at the credit reporting agencies' websites. You will then be able to view it online immediately. Your credit score is not part of your credit report. If you want to get your score, you can purchase it when you order your free report or in addition to your paid report.
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