Free Yearly Credit Report

It is important for every single one of us to review our credit reports periodically to ensure that there are no errors and, most importantly, that you aren't a victim of identity theft. In order to be able to do that, the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) are required to provide you with a credit report for free every year. This requirement is a law under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

You can order your three credit reports for free three different ways:

1. Visit annualcreditreport.com
2. Call 1-877-322-8228
3. 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 try to order your free credit reports directly from the three credit bureaus individually. The Federal Trade Commission has set up these three methods under the free annual credit report program for you to obtain your credit reports for free every twelve months.

You will need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth in order to obtain your free credit reports. 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 credit bureau may ask you for some information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage payment. Each company may ask you for different information because the information each has in your file may come from different sources.

Be forewarned about imposter websites claiming to offer free credit reports. These imposters send you to other websites and try to obtain your personal information or sell you something. The only website that annualcreditreport.com is the only website set up to provide you with your free credit reports under the law. Annualcreditreport.com and the three credit bureaus will NEVER send you an email or call you asking for your personal information.

If you request your free credit reports online, you will be able to access them immediately. If you order by phone or mail, your request will be processed within approximately 15 days. Therefore, you should receive the free credit reports in the mail within two to three weeks.