Obtaining Your Annual Free Credit Report In The U.S.

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A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. There is only one online source authorized to do so which is annualcreditreport.com. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar.


The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises consumers who order their free annual credit report online to be sure to correctly spell annualcreditreport.com, or link to it from the FTC’s website to avoid being misdirected to other websites that offer supposedly free reports,but only with the purchase of other products. While consumers may be offered additional products or services while on the authorized website, they are not required to make a purchase to receive their free annual credit reports. However, they are not required to give you your credit score, which they will charge you extra to view.

To get your annual free credit report the three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up one central website, toll-free telephone number, and mailing address through which you can order your free annual report. To order, go to annualcreditreport.com, call 877-322-8228, or 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 contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are only providing free annual credit reports through annualcreditreport.com, 877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281

Learn how to get your Free Credit Scores

Although all information is written in good faith and has been reviewed, please email us at [email protected] to report any inaccuracies.