Every American can get a free copy of their credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion every week. Checking it is the easiest way to catch identity theft, fix errors that can cost you a loan, and see what lenders see. There is only one official free site, and here is how to use it.
Quick answer
- Go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally authorized site for free reports.
- You can get reports from all three bureaus every week, free; weekly access was made permanent in 2023.
- Checking your own report does not hurt your score.
- Free reports do not include your credit score.
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How to get your free credit report
- Type AnnualCreditReport.com into your browser (beware of look-alike sites).
- Click “Request your free credit reports” and enter your name, address, date of birth and Social Security number.
- Choose the bureaus: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, or all three.
- Answer security questions about your credit history.
- Download or save each report as a PDF.
- Prefer not to go online? Call 1-877-322-8228 or mail the request form found on the site.
What to check on your report
| Section | Look for |
|---|---|
| Personal information | Wrong names, addresses or employers |
| Accounts | Cards or loans you don’t recognize |
| Payment history | Late payments you didn’t make |
| Hard inquiries | Credit applications you didn’t make |
| Collections and public records | Debts that aren’t yours, or very old items |
Found a mistake? Dispute it free
File a dispute directly with the bureau that shows the error (online is fastest), and include proof. The bureau generally has 30 days to investigate. Also contact the company that reported the wrong information. If an account is fraud, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and freeze your credit.
⚠️ “Free credit report” ads on other sites often sign you up for paid monitoring. The official site never asks for a credit card.
Why you should check all three reports
Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are separate companies. Each one keeps its own file on you.
A lender may report to only one or two of them. So an error or a fraud account can show up on one report and not the others.
That is why checking just one bureau is not enough. Pull all three at least a few times a year.
How often should you actually check?
| Your situation | How often to check |
|---|---|
| Normal year, no big plans | Every 3–4 months (rotate bureaus) |
| Applying for a mortgage, car loan or apartment | 2–3 months before you apply |
| After a data breach or lost wallet | Right away, then monthly for a year |
| You are an identity theft victim | Weekly until every bad item is gone |
| You have a credit freeze | Every 4–6 months to confirm nothing new |
Weekly access is free, but you do not need to check every week. Set a phone reminder so you do not forget.
How to read the report without getting lost
Each report is long, and the layout differs by bureau. Focus on these items in order.
- Your name and Social Security number: a wrong name can mean another person’s file got mixed with yours.
- Addresses: an address you never lived at is a common sign of identity theft.
- Open accounts: match every card and loan to a statement you get.
- Balances and limits: a wrong credit limit can make your usage look higher and lower your score.
- Late payments: check the month and year. One wrong 30-day late mark can drop a score a lot.
- Hard inquiries: these come from credit applications. Any you did not make need a dispute.
How long negative items stay on your report
| Item | How long it can stay |
|---|---|
| Late payments | 7 years |
| Collections and charge-offs | 7 years from the first missed payment |
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy | 10 years |
| Chapter 13 bankruptcy | 7 years (bureau practice) |
| Hard inquiries | 2 years (score impact usually ends sooner) |
| Positive closed accounts | Up to 10 years |
These limits come from the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. An item older than the limit should be removed. If it is still there, dispute it.
How to dispute an error, step by step
- Save a copy of the report and circle each error.
- Gather proof: statements, letters, a police or FTC report for fraud.
- File the dispute online with the bureau that shows the error. Each bureau has a dispute page on its site.
- Also write to the lender or collector that reported the item.
- Keep your confirmation number and copies of everything.
- Wait for the result, usually within 30 days. Check the report again after.
If the bureau says the item is correct and you still disagree, you can add a short statement to your file. You can also send a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
Also read: How to raise your credit score, step by step.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a look-alike site. Only AnnualCreditReport.com is the official free site. Type it yourself.
- Signing up for a “free trial.” Many trials turn into paid monitoring of $20–$30 a month.
- Ignoring small errors. A wrong address or old account can be the first sign of fraud.
- Disputing correct late payments. True, accurate items will stay. Ask the lender for a goodwill removal instead.
- Forgetting to unfreeze. If your credit is frozen, a lender cannot pull it. Lift the freeze a day before you apply.
What if you find fraud?
Act fast. These steps are all free.
- Report it at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC gives you a recovery plan and a report you can send to bureaus.
- Place a free fraud alert with one bureau. It tells the other two. A basic alert lasts one year.
- Freeze your credit at all three bureaus.
- Call the fraud department of each company where a fake account was opened.
- Change passwords on your email and bank accounts and turn on two-step login.
Who qualifies for free reports?
Every U.S. consumer can use AnnualCreditReport.com. You do not need to be denied credit or show income.
You may also get an extra free report if a lender turns you down because of your credit. The denial letter tells you which bureau to contact. You usually have 60 days to ask.
Can’t pass the online identity check? That is common if you have a thin file or recently moved. Request by phone at 1-877-322-8228 or by mail instead.
Free credit report vs. free credit score
The report is the list of your accounts and history. The score is a three-digit number calculated from it.
The free weekly reports do not include a score. Many card issuers and banks show a free FICO or VantageScore in their app. Those checks do not hurt your score either.
Do you need to pay for credit monitoring?
For most people, no. Free weekly reports plus a credit freeze cover the main risks.
Paid monitoring sends alerts when something changes. But it does not stop a new account from being opened. A freeze does.
Some people already get monitoring for free. Check before you pay:
- Data breach settlements often include free monitoring for one to several years.
- Many credit card issuers and banks offer free alerts in their apps.
- Experian and Credit Karma offer free basic monitoring of one bureau.
- Some employers include identity protection as a benefit.
Checking reports for a child or an older parent
Children should usually have no credit report at all. If one exists, it may be a sign of identity theft. Parents can contact each bureau to ask if a file exists for their child.
You can also freeze a child’s credit for free. This blocks anyone from opening accounts in their name before they turn 18.
Older adults are common targets of scams. With permission, help a parent pull their reports each year. Look for new cards, loans or address changes they did not make.
If you have power of attorney, you can request reports and freezes for that person. The bureaus will ask for a copy of the document.
Frequently asked questions
How often can I get a free credit report?
Every week, from each of the three bureaus, at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Does checking my credit report lower my score?
No. Checking your own report is a soft inquiry and has no effect.
Is my credit score included?
No. Many banks and card issuers show a free score in their apps.
What if I can’t verify my identity online?
Request your report by phone or mail instead.
Last reviewed: Oct. 16, 2026. Rules and websites can change; always use the official links in this guide.
Sources: AnnualCreditReport.com, FTC: Free credit reports, CFPB: Credit reports and scores, IdentityTheft.gov.
