annualcreditreport.com

January 16, 2026

What AnnualCreditReport.com Is and How It Works

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official, federally recognized website where people in the United States can request copies of their credit reports from the three major nationwide consumer credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It was created after the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) required credit bureaus to provide free annual credit reports to consumers.

You don’t need to pay anything to get these reports, and you don’t have to give credit card information just to access them. This site is the centralized mechanism originally developed by the credit bureaus to comply with federal law.

The reports you get won’t include your credit score, and the right to a free score is separate — you may have to pay a fee or use another service for that.

What a Credit Report Is

A credit report is a record of your credit history — it shows how you’ve managed credit accounts and loans in the past. Typical things on a report include:

  • Your personal identifying details, like name and addresses.
  • Accounts you have or have had (credit cards, loans, mortgages), with their status and payment history.
  • Records of companies that have accessed your report.
  • Public record items such as bankruptcies or liens (if applicable).

This information is used by lenders, landlords, insurers and others to assess your creditworthiness. The credit report itself is separate from your credit score — the score is a number calculated from information in the report, and AnnualCreditReport.com doesn’t automatically include a score.

How to Get Your Free Reports

Federal law guarantees one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major bureaus. Traditionally you could get one free report per year per bureau, but this has been extended to allow weekly access if you request it through the site.

Ways to Request Your Reports

  • Online: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com and follow the prompts.
  • By Phone: Call the centralized number (1-877-322-8228).
  • By Mail: Complete and send the Annual Credit Report Request Form to the address provided on the site.

You can request all three reports at the same time or space them out throughout the year. For example, you might get one bureau’s report every four months to effectively monitor your credit continuously.

Why You Should Use It

Everyone with a credit history in the U.S. should check their reports regularly. There are a few main reasons:

1. Accuracy and Errors

Credit reports can contain mistakes — wrong addresses, accounts that aren’t yours, or incorrect payment histories. These can affect your ability to get loans or good interest rates. Checking your report lets you spot and correct errors.

2. Identity Theft Detection

Fraudsters sometimes open accounts in someone else’s name. If you don’t check your credit report, you might not notice unauthorized charges or accounts until it’s too late. Regularly reviewing reports helps catch these issues early.

3. Credit Monitoring and Planning

Seeing the actual data lenders see helps you plan financial decisions, like applying for a loan, refinancing, or managing debt. Knowing what’s on your report can influence your next financial steps.

Safety and Fraud Considerations

AnnualCreditReport.com is safe when you make sure you’re on the correct site. It uses secure connections and requires personal identification details (like your Social Security number) to verify your identity when requesting reports.

But here’s an important point: there are many look-alike websites that claim to offer free credit reports. Some of them take your information and then try to sell you services, enroll you in paid plans, or worse — could be phishing sites designed to steal your personal data. Always type www.AnnualCreditReport.com directly into your browser and bookmark it so you don’t accidentally click a deceptive link.

Special Situations

There are circumstances where you may be entitled to additional free reports beyond the standard annual ones:

  • If you receive an adverse action notice (like being denied credit).
  • If you suspect fraud or identity theft on your file.
  • If you’re unemployed and looking for a job.
  • If your credit report is inaccurate because of identity theft.

In these cases you should follow the instructions provided by the credit bureau or the site to request the additional report or contact them directly.

For minors or deceased individuals, different procedures apply, including mail requests and documentation proving guardianship or executor status. These require more steps outside the online portal.

Pro Tips for Using AnnualCreditReport.com

  • Stagger your reports: Instead of ordering all three at once each year, consider spacing them out so you’re checking your credit more frequently across the year.
  • Save or download copies: After you access your reports, save them as PDFs or print them. That way you have a record you can refer to later.
  • Check for unauthorized accounts: Look for accounts you don’t recognize and follow up promptly if something looks wrong.
  • Report fraud: If you find signs of identity theft, report it to IdentityTheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert or freeze on your credit file.

Key Takeaways

  • AnnualCreditReport.com is the official, federally created site for free credit reports from the major U.S. bureaus.
  • You are entitled by law to one free report per bureau every 12 months.
  • Reports show detailed credit history, but don’t include your credit score.
  • Regularly reviewing your credit reports is essential for spotting errors and fraud.
  • Only use the official site — don’t trust look-alikes that could collect your personal information.

FAQ

Q: Is AnnualCreditReport.com free?
Yes. You can get your free credit reports online, by phone, or by mail without paying a fee.

Q: How often can I check my credit report?
By federal law, once every 12 months from each bureau, but a program now allows weekly access through this site.

Q: Will I get my credit score?
No. The site gives only the credit report. Credit scores are usually available separately and may cost a fee.

Q: Is it safe to put my Social Security number on the site?
Yes, the site uses security measures to protect your data, but make sure you’re on the correct URL.

Q: What if I find a mistake on my report?
You can dispute errors with the credit bureau that provided the report. Each has procedures for handling disputes.