How to get your free credit reports
You can check your credit report from all three bureaus for free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com — the only authorized site.
Sourced from official pages · Updated September 30, 2026💡 Key takeaways
- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion offer free weekly credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- It is the only site authorized to fill free report orders.
- Reports show accounts and payments, not necessarily a score.
- Check for accounts you do not recognize, wrong balances and late marks you did not earn.
Where to get them
The three nationwide credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — permanently offer free weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com. Federal law also entitles you to a free copy of your report from each bureau once every 12 months. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only site authorized to fill these orders; be careful with look-alike sites that ask for payment.
What to look for
- Accounts you do not recognize (a sign of possible identity theft).
- Wrong balances, credit limits or payment history.
- Accounts listed as late that you paid on time.
- Personal information that is incorrect.
If you find an error, see how to dispute credit report errors.
Reports vs scores
A credit report is the record of your accounts and payments. A credit score is a number calculated from it. The free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com do not necessarily include a score; some banks and card issuers show one for free in their apps.
How to review a report
- Start with personal information: name, addresses, employers.
- List each account and compare balances and limits with your statements.
- Check payment history for late marks.
- Review collections, public records and inquiries.
- Note anything unfamiliar and take action.
If you find something wrong
Follow the steps in how to dispute errors. If you suspect identity theft, see freeze vs fraud alert and report at IdentityTheft.gov.
🔤 Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Credit bureau | A company that collects credit information: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion |
| Hard inquiry | A credit check from applying for credit |
| Tradeline | An account listed on your credit report |
| Furnisher | A company that reports information to the bureaus |
A yearly review routine
- Pick a date, such as your birthday, each year.
- Pull all three reports.
- Check for errors and unfamiliar accounts.
- Dispute what is wrong.
- Consider a freeze if you are not applying for credit.
⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid
- Using look-alike sites that ask for payment.
- Only checking one bureau.
- Ignoring old accounts you do not recognize.
- Confusing free reports with credit scores.
🛠️ Try it yourself
❓ Frequently asked questions
Is it really free?
Yes: weekly reports from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Will checking my report lower my score?
No; checking your own report is a soft inquiry.
Do the reports include my score?
Not necessarily.
Do reports from different bureaus match?
Not always; each keeps its own file.
📚 Sources
This guide is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules and limits change; confirm with the sources above or a licensed professional.