Federal law gives consumers the right to obtain a free copy of their credit report each year. If you’ve heard that the place to obtain your report is AnnualCreditReport.com, your next question may be, “What is AnnualCreditReport.com?”
AnnualCreditReport.com is the official website where you can obtain copies of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, which are TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. It’s recognized by the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
You might see other websites that offer to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, but the only site that’s authorized to give you the free report you’re entitled to each year by law is AnnualCreditReport.com. Most of the time, you can only request a free credit report once a year, but during the pandemic, AnnualCreditReport.com is offering weekly credit reports.
How to Request Your Free Credit Reports
When you go to AnnualCreditReport.com, you’ll need to provide your name, address, social security number, and birthdate. If you moved less than two years ago, you’ll also have to provide your previous address. Once your identifying information is verified, you’ll be able to request your credit report from one, two, or all three of the major credit bureaus.
You’ll be asked security questions about previous accounts, which are meant to be questions only you would know the answer to. If some time has passed since you opened some of those accounts, you may not remember the answers to your security questions. If that happens, you can request your credit reports by phone or mail. If you request your credit reports by mail, it takes about 15 days to receive them. If you request them online, you’ll get instant access.
Watch Out for Scams
The only way you should access AnnualCreditReport.com is by typing the name of the website into your browser. Make sure you haven’t made any spelling errors, because there are lookalike sites that deliberately have a similar URL but aren’t the correct site.
Don’t click on a link in a suspicious email because scams are becoming more and more common. If you receive a phone call or email claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com, it’s a scam. The correct company won’t attempt to contact you.
What to Check on Your Credit Reports
After you receive your credit reports, look them over carefully. Check that your personal information is correct. Make sure you recognize all the accounts listed, and that your balances are reporting correctly. If you’ve had negative information in the past, such as bankruptcy or collection accounts, they should be removed from your credit report after seven years in the case of most negative items or ten years in the case of a bankruptcy.
If you find any information that isn’t accurate, file a dispute with the credit reporting agency that’s reporting incorrectly. Dovly is an AI credit engine that can help you with this process. We can work with the credit bureaus on your behalf to make sure you have the credit score you deserve. Try it risk free with our free membership tier. Contact Dovly today.