anualcreditreport.com

What AnnualCreditReport.com Is

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official U.S. government-mandated website where you can get your free credit reports from the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This free access is backed by federal law — the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) — which ensures every consumer can view their credit data at least once a year at no cost. (Annual Credit Report)

This site is operated by Central Source LLC, a joint venture sponsored by the three credit bureaus, specifically to comply with that law and provide a single access point. (Annual Credit Report)

Important: This is the official site. Other “free credit report” sites often charge you indirectly or try to upsell paid services. (Consumer Advice)

What You Get There

When you use AnnualCreditReport.com, you can request a copy of your credit report from each agency. A credit report is a detailed record of your borrowing history and credit activity, including things like:

• Accounts opened (loans, credit cards, mortgages)

• Payment history on those accounts

• Current balances and credit limits

• Public records like bankruptcies

• Recent credit inquiries by lenders (Annual Credit Report)

Your credit score is not included in this free report — that’s treated separately by the bureaus and often offered for a fee. (Annual Credit Report)

How Often You Can Access Reports

You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each bureau. Traditionally that meant checking all three once every 12 months. Recently, the system changed so you can actually access free weekly online reports from all three bureaus through the same site — which makes it easier to stay on top of your credit throughout the year. (Wikipedia)

How to Request Your Reports

Online (fastest)

Go directly to www.AnnualCreditReport.com and follow the steps to request reports. You’ll verify your identity and then you can immediately view or download your reports. (Annual Credit Report)

By Phone

Call 1-877-322-8228. You’ll go through a verification process, and if all checks out your reports will be mailed to you. (Annual Credit Report)

By Mail

You can fill out the Annual Credit Report Request Form and send it by mail to the address listed on the form. This is slower (reports are mailed once processed) but useful if you lack reliable online access. (Annual Credit Report)

What You’ll Be Asked For

To get your report, the site will ask for:

• Your full name, current address, and past addresses

• Your Social Security Number

• Your date of birth

This info is used to verify your identity before releasing sensitive credit data. (Annual Credit Report)

Security and Safety

AnnualCreditReport.com is considered safe and secure. The site uses encryption (look for “https” in your browser) and identity verification questions to protect your data. (Experian)

Still — you should only go to the official site by typing the address yourself or bookmarking it. There are many look-alike domains that try to trick you into entering your information and then upsell paid services or collect your data unlawfully. (Annual Credit Report)

What It’s Good For

Here’s why checking your credit report matters:

• Verify accuracy — mistakes happen frequently on credit reports; checking helps you catch them.

• Spot identity theft — if someone has opened accounts in your name, it will likely show up on your report.

• Track financial health — seeing how accounts and payment histories are reported helps you understand your credit standing.

• Prepare for major decisions — lenders look at your reports when you apply for loans, mortgages, and credit cards.

Regular checks (even more often than once a year) can alert you to issues sooner rather than later. (DFPI)

Key Takeaways

• AnnualCreditReport.com is the only federally authorized website for free credit reports. (Annual Credit Report)

• You are entitled to at least one free report per year from each bureau, and the system now offers free weekly access online. (Wikipedia)

• Credit reports do not include your credit score. (Annual Credit Report)

• You can request reports online, by phone, or by mail. (Annual Credit Report)

• Only use the official site — others may charge or mislead. (Consumer Advice)

FAQ

Is AnnualCreditReport.com really free?
Yes. Federal law guarantees one free credit report per bureau every 12 months, and the online system now provides free weekly access. (Wikipedia)

Does checking my credit report hurt my credit score?
No. Checking your own report is a soft inquiry and does not affect your credit score. (Wikipedia)

Will I get my credit score there too?
No. The free annual/weekly report does not include your score — that’s usually offered separately and might cost a fee through the bureaus. (Annual Credit Report)

What if I find an error?
You can dispute inaccuracies with the bureau that issued the report. Each bureau has dispute mechanisms you can follow online, by mail, or by phone. (Annual Credit Report)

Can someone else request my report?
Only with your explicit authorization and proper legal documentation. Fraud or identity theft concerns should be reported promptly. (Annual Credit Report)