How to Get Your Free Credit Report
AnnualCreditReport.com is the only federally authorized source for free credit reports. Every other site is either selling you something or harvesting your data.
Step-by-step walkthrough
- 1
Go to AnnualCreditReport.com — this is the only site authorized by federal law.
- 2
Click 'Request your free credit reports.'
- 3
Enter your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth.
- 4
Select all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
- 5
Answer security verification questions for each bureau.
- 6
Review each report carefully — look for accounts you don't recognize.
- 7
Save or print your reports for your records.
- 8
If you find errors, dispute them directly with each bureau.
What to look for on your report
- Accounts you don't recognize — could be identity theft
- Hard inquiries you didn't authorize — someone may be applying for credit in your name
- Wrong addresses — could indicate someone using your identity elsewhere
- Late payments that aren't yours — dispute these immediately
- Closed accounts still showing as open — reporting errors are common
- Collection accounts — make sure they're actually yours
Avoid fake "free" credit report sites
Sites like FreeCreditReport.com, CreditKarma, and Credit Sesame offer monitoring services — not the official federally mandated free reports. They may require a credit card or sign you up for paid plans. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only source mandated by federal law.