How do I get my free credit report, and how often can I check it?

Concerns & risks

You want to review your credit report before a big application, but the internet is full of look-alike sites trying to sell you something.

Causes & evidence

Federal law entitles you to free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and the three bureaus have made free weekly reports permanently available through AnnualCreditReport.com, which the FTC and CFPB point to as the official site. You don't need a credit card to use it. The reports show your accounts, payment history, balances, inquiries and public records, but they don't include a credit score. Because each bureau may have different information, it's worth looking at all three before a big application.

Credit scores are separate from reports and are often available free through your bank or card issuer. Errors on reports are common enough that the FTC and CFPB recommend checking regularly.

Typing 'free credit report' into a search engine and clicking the first ad often leads to paid trials rather than the official site.

What to do

1. Go directly to AnnualCreditReport.com by typing the address.
2. Request reports from all three bureaus and save them as PDFs.
3. Check personal details, every account, balances and recent inquiries.
4. Highlight anything you don't recognise or that looks wrong.
5. File disputes for errors and consider a freeze if you see accounts that aren't yours.

Common mistakes:

• Using look-alike sites that require a card
• Checking only one bureau
• Ignoring small errors such as an old address

ReportSpeedMan tip: Checking your own report is a soft inquiry and doesn't lower your score, so reviewing before a big application costs nothing.

What I would actually do

I'd pull all three reports once now, again a month before any big application, and freeze my credit afterwards if I'm not planning new credit.

The trade-off people miss: a credit freeze blocks fraud, but you have to lift it each time you apply for credit, so plan a few days ahead.

How to tell it worked

You've reviewed all three reports and any errors are disputed or corrected.

Quick FAQ

Does checking hurt my score?
No, checking your own report is a soft inquiry.

How long do disputes take?
Bureaus generally investigate within about 30 days.

Should I freeze my credit?
It's free and blocks most new-account fraud.

Wrap-up: Use the official site, review all three reports and act on anything unfamiliar. It's free and it can save you a surprise denial.

Wiki: Credit Scores and Credit Reports and Identity Theft Recovery Steps.

How do I get my free credit report, and how often can I check it: read the originals

• FTC: Free credit reports
• CFPB: Credit reports and scores