Key takeaways
- The only authorised site for your free credit reports is AnnualCreditReport.com, says the FTC. You can also call 1-877-322-8228 or order by mail.
- Federal law gives you a free report from each nationwide bureau every 12 months, and the FTC says the bureaus now offer a free weekly report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Check all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), because their reports can differ.
- Be wary of look-alike sites that offer “free” reports, scores or monitoring.
This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.
What is a credit report?
The FTC says a credit report “is a summary of your personal credit history.” It includes identifying information like your address and date of birth, plus your credit history: how you pay your bills, or whether you’ve filed for bankruptcy. The three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, collect and update it.
Businesses use the information to decide whether, and on what terms, to lend you money, give you credit, offer insurance or rent you a home. Some employers use credit reports in hiring. Your report also determines your credit score, which some businesses use to estimate how likely you are to repay a loan.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the FTC says the bureaus must make sure their information is accurate, give you a free copy once every 12 months, and let you dispute mistakes.
Why check it?
The FTC gives two reasons:
- To check accuracy. Look for information that’s wrong, incomplete or out of date, at least once a year and before you apply for credit, a loan, insurance, housing or a job. If you find a mistake, contact the credit bureau and the business that supplied the information to dispute it.
- To spot identity theft. Mistakes can be a sign of it. If you think someone is misusing your information, the FTC points to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
How to get your free reports
The FTC says to order all your free annual reports in one place, and not to contact the three bureaus individually. The only ways are:
- Visit AnnualCreditReport.com. You get access immediately.
- Call 1-877-322-8228. It’s processed and mailed within 15 days.
- Mail the Annual Credit Report Request Form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. It’s processed and mailed within 15 days of receipt.
You’ll need to give your name, address, Social Security number and date of birth, and answer security questions that only you would know, for each bureau. The FTC says you may have to give your previous address if you moved in the last two years.
How often?
The FTC says all three bureaus have permanently extended a program that lets you check your report from each once a week for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Federal law also requires each bureau to give you a free copy every 12 months if you ask.
You may be able to get another free report if you:
- receive a notice that your application for credit, employment, insurance or housing was denied or you were treated unfavourably because of your credit report (ask within 60 days),
- are unemployed and plan to apply for a job within 60 days,
- are on public assistance,
- find your report is inaccurate because of fraud, including identity theft,
- have a fraud alert on your credit file.
If you qualify under one of these, contact a bureau directly. Accessible formats (Braille, large print, audio) are also available, taking about three weeks, according to the FTC.
Check all three reports
The FTC says yes, review all three, since each bureau may get its information from different sources, so the reports may not match.
Avoid fake sites
The FTC warns that other sites “pretend to be associated with AnnualCreditReport.com” or advertise “free credit reports, free credit scores, or free credit monitoring.” Some use misspelled versions of the official address. If you land on one, you could be steered to sites that sell services or misuse your personal information.
AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus “will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.” If you get an email, pop-up or phone call from someone claiming to be them, the FTC says don’t reply or click, since it’s probably a scam. See our guide on how to spot a phishing email.
Reports vs scores
A report lists your history. A score is a number that some businesses derive from it. The FTC page covers reports, so we don’t explain how scores are calculated here.
Building a savings cushion helps protect your credit too, since it reduces the need to borrow in an emergency. See our guide to building an emergency fund.
Report scams
Report a scam or bad business practice to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Frequently asked questions
Is AnnualCreditReport.com really free? The FTC says it’s the only authorised place to get the free reports you’re entitled to by law.
Does checking my own report hurt my credit? The FTC page doesn’t say, so we don’t claim either way.
How do I fix an error? Contact the credit bureau and the business that supplied the information to dispute it, per the FTC.
Information checked on: October 30, 2026. Rules and programs change, so check the FTC and AnnualCreditReport.com.
Sources
- FTC, Free Credit Reports (June 2026)
Money note: this article is for general information and is not financial advice.