How to Get a Copy of Your Credit Report or Credit Score?

You should review your credit report regularly to stay informed of changes to your credit profile and to confirm the accuracy of information that is being reported. When reviewing your credit report, review it to assure that no one has stolen your identity and opened credit accounts or taken out loans in your name. It's also a good idea to review your credit report before making a major purchase so that you have ample time to correct any errors that may prevent you from obtaining the best rates.

There are actually three major consumer credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) which may all have a report on your credit history. You are entitled to obtain a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of these three bureaus. You must request this report, however.

The easiest way to do this is to use a one-stop-shop company established by Congress to make it easier for consumers to get their credit reports from the three bureaus all at once. You will be asked confidential information to prove your identity such as: your name, address, SSN, Date of Birth and other personal information to prove you are who you say you are.

One-Stop-Shop
Web site: www.annualcreditreport.com
Toll-free telephone number: 1.877.322.8228

Please be advised that www.annualcreditreport.com is the only authorized online site for your free annual report from the three major consumer reporting agencies. The credit bureaus do not call consumers to offer these free reports, so disregard telemarketers that claim to be offering that service. Also, do not use other Web sites, and do not respond to pop-up ads or e-mails with embedded hyperlinks directing you to the annualcreditreport.com site. These are most likely scams. Forward these sites to spam@uce.gov, the Federal Trade Commission's database of deceptive spam so that they may be investigated.


Related Articles
Credit Repair Kit
The Most Important Credit Improvement Tip