More For Your Money - University of Illinois Extension

http://MoreForYourMoney.extension.uiuc.edu

How Can You Check Your Credit Report?

Because your credit report changes constantly, it’s important that you review your information every year to check its accuracy.  Because of a federal law, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), you can get a free copy of your credit report once each year from each of the three credit bureaus.  You will be asked personal information that only you will know to verify your identity.

Where You Can Get Your Credit Report

Phone: Call 877-322-8228 (toll-free)
Online: http://www.annualcreditreport.com
Mail: Complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form.
To get the form, go to: www.ftc.gov/credit.
Then, mail to:  

  • Annual Credit Report Request Service
    P.O. Box 105281
    Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

If you have not checked your credit reports before, you may want to get a copy of all three reports.  The credit bureaus do not always share information with each other.  So, there may be different information on each report.

If you have checked your credit reports in the last year, you may want to stagger the time you receive the reports.  For example, look at one in March, the second report in June, and the third report in October.

If you need a copy of your credit report after receiving the free copies, you should contact the Credit Bureaus. You will be charged a fee for the extra copy.