How To Get Your Free Credit Reports (Step-By-Step)
Checking your credit report, a financial report containing information about your credit accounts may help you maintain or improve your credit and detect indicators of identity theft. You can AnnualCreditReport.com to obtain your free credit reports.
Normally, federal legislation permits you to get one free copy of your credit report from each of the three main credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—via this website once a year. However, COVID-19 has allowed customers to view their credit scores for free until April 2022.
But, it all comes down to one simple question – how exactly can you use the website to find out your credit score? That’s what we are going to explore. We will go through 6 easy steps to get your free credit report.
Why Is It Important/Necessary To Check Your Credit Score?
It’s critical to review your credit report since errors in credit reporting do occur. They might be the consequence of an incorrect credit report or an indication of identity theft. If the inaccuracy reduces your credit score, you may have difficulty getting approved for a loan and may not get the lowest rate.
When you check your credit score frequently, you’ll notice changes in your credit score much sooner. If your credit score drops, you can utilize the data in your credit report to determine what caused the drop. Then you can make efforts to reclaim the points you’ve lost on your credit report.
It makes sense to verify your credit information frequently to ensure that it’s true — and that it’s not being used without your permission — in a world where personal data is constantly compromised. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suggests checking your credit reports at least once a year.
How to Get a Free Credit Report?
As we have seen, checking your credit score is important; how can you check it online easily? Let us take this burden off of your shoulder as well. We will tell you six super-simple steps to generate a quick credit report for you.
Following are the few very simple steps that you can take to check your credit report for free:
1. Visit The Website
To get your free credit report, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. To avoid unnecessary threats to your personal information, visit the appropriate website by entering the appropriate address into your browser’s search bar.
2. Enter Your Data
Once you’ve landed on the web page, click the “Request your free credit reports” option towards the top or bottom left of the screen. After that, below the line that says “Fill out a form,” click on the button with the same words. Finally, fill up your name, birthdate, current address, and Social Security number on the form (SSN).
You’ll have to input your old address if you haven’t resided at your present address for at least two years.
3. Request Credit Report
After completing the form, you may get your credit reports from the three main credit agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You’ll most likely be given several security questions to authenticate your identity. You may also be asked for your phone number to obtain a one-time password.
4. Generate Your Credit Report Online
After you’ve seen your credit reports, save them to your device or download them to study later. You may as well print a copy of it if you like.
If you’re having problems accessing your credit reports online, you may request a free copy by mail or phone. Just fill out the mail request form and send it to this address to obtain a free copy.
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, Ga 303348-5281
The questions asked on the form are the same as those on the online form.
If you’d rather call, you may do so at 877-322-8228.
5. Examine Your Report and Refute Any Inaccuracies
When it comes to creating and maintaining credit, one of the most important stages is to read your credit report. Make sure your information and bank information is correct before examining your report.
The following are examples of common credit reporting problems to look out for:
- Incomplete or incorrect name or address
- Account balance or credit limit inaccuracies on paid accounts that are reported as open
- You don’t have access to accounts that aren’t yours.
If you find an inaccurate detail on your report, dispute it with each credit bureau that listed it or the creditor that reported it. In most cases, the inquiry will take 30 days to complete. If the credit bureau discovers that the information is incorrect after the investigation is completed, it will erase it.
Check Your Credit Regularly
It’s typically advised that you check your credit reports at least once a year, but you can do it as frequently. Furthermore, it is also suggested that you check your credit reports for inaccuracies before applying for credit or loans to improve your chances of getting favorable benefits, such as reduced interest rates.
Tracking your scores and records might alert you to issues like an unpaid bill or identity theft. It further allows you to keep track of your credit-building efforts.
Checking your credit reports or scores does not affect your credit score. Monitoring your credit reports and scores frequently is a good method to ensure that your personal and bank data is credible. It may also help you spot indicators of possible identity theft.
The steps mentioned above may help you get a free credit report without hassle. You can generate a free credit report online at AnnualCreditReport.com. And as we’ve established, it is NEVER a bad idea to keep an eye on your credit score.
