You have a right to see the information the three nationwide credit bureaus collect about you. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion may each have a different version of your credit history, so checking all three can reveal details that a single report would miss. You can request the reports for free without buying a service.

  1. Choose how to request your reports. Use AnnualCreditReport.com, call (877) 322-8228, or mail the Annual Credit Report Request form. The TTY number is 1-800-821-7232.
  2. Choose the bureaus. Online, you can request one, two or all three reports at once.
  3. Review your identifying information. Check names, addresses and other personal details for information that does not belong to you.
Hands comparing entries across three stacks of printed records on a desk, with reading glasses and a highlighter nearby.
A reader compares entries on credit reports from three bureaus.
  1. Check the accounts. Look for unfamiliar accounts, incorrect balances and payments marked late that you believe were on time.
  2. Keep track of possible errors. Note which bureau's report contains each item and gather any records that help explain the problem.
  3. Follow up. If a bureau denies your report request, contact that bureau first. If the issue remains unresolved, you can contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Where to get your free reports

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only website authorized by the federal government to issue free annual reports from all three nationwide credit bureaus. Under federal rules, you can get one free report from each bureau every 12 months. You can also view your reports online for free once a week. The Federal Trade Commission has described weekly online access as permanent, so there is no need to wait a full year to look again.

For a phone request, call (877) 322-8228. The TTY number is 1-800-821-7232. To request reports by mail, send the Annual Credit Report Request form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can also ask whether a report is available in your preferred language.

Be careful with sites that promise a free report but require a purchase or sign you up for a service that bills you after a trial. The official free report does not require payment details or a purchase. If an unsolicited message offers a report, going directly to AnnualCreditReport.com can help you avoid following a misleading link.

Decide how many reports to check

Checking all three reports gives you the fullest view of the information held by the nationwide bureaus. An account or a mistake may appear on one report and not another. Comparing the reports can help you identify those differences before someone else uses the information to make a decision.

If you have time for only one report today, it can be a starting point. You can return for the other two later. Free weekly online access also gives you room to check for changes without giving up your ability to look again soon. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, explains the available request options.

Other companies maintain specialty consumer reports, including reports related to tenant history or insurance claims. Those files are separate from the three nationwide credit reports and must be requested individually. If you have been denied housing, you can ask for a copy of the tenant screening report used in the decision.

Know what you are looking at

A credit report can include your bill payment history, loans, current debt, bankruptcy history and lawsuit records. It usually does not include a credit score. A report and a score are separate things, so a missing score does not by itself mean your report is incomplete.

Lenders, potential employers, insurers and rental property owners may use report information when making decisions. An incorrect late payment, for example, may matter when a lender reviews an application. Checking your own reports lets you see the information those reviewers may encounter, and requesting your own reports will not hurt your credit score. USAGov explains what reports generally contain and who may use them.

What to do when something looks wrong

Start by identifying the report that contains the questionable entry. An unfamiliar account can be a sign of fraud, but other mistakes can also appear, such as a balance that does not match your records or a payment shown as late when you believe it was on time. Review personal details as well, especially an address or name you do not recognize.

Keep notes about the item and the bureau reporting it. The CFPB and the bureaus provide consumer guidance on credit reporting problems and suspected identity theft. The CFPB's credit reports and scores resources are a place to start for information about addressing errors and fraud.

If you cannot obtain a report because a reporting agency denies your request, contact that agency first. If you cannot resolve the problem with the agency, contact the CFPB. The ability to request and review your reports gives you a way to see what is on file and identify problems that need attention.

Please seek a professional. This article is general information, not financial, tax or insurance advice. Please seek a licensed financial, tax or insurance professional about your own situation.