Editor's Note: This post was updated to reflect the extension of free credit report access from April 2021 to April 20, 2022. Show Checking your credit report on a regular basis is a simple way to be proactive about your financial standing — and it just got easier. The three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — are offering free credit reports to all Americans on a weekly basis so you can protect your financial health during hardships from the coronavirus. These free credit reports will be available on AnnualCreditReport.com through April 20, 2022. "We are making credit reports more accessible more often so people can better manage their finances and take necessary steps to protect their credit standing," Mark W. Begor, CEO at Equifax; Brian Cassin, CEO at Experian; and Chris Cartwright, CEO at TransUnion, said in a joint statement. Previously, you were entitled to one free credit report from each bureau per year, but that's been substantially increased to as many as 156 over the next 12 months, if you so choose. Below, we list how you can get free credit reports from each bureau and what to look for when reviewing your credit. How to get a free credit reportTo get your free credit reports from each bureau, follow these steps:
Your free annual credit report includes all accounts opened under your name as well as the actions you have taken, such as balances and payment history. However, it doesn't include your credit score. If you want access to your free credit score, consider alternative services provided by credit card issuers. For instance, if you have a Citi card, such as the Citi® Double Cash Card, you receive your free FICO score updated about every month. You can also consider CreditWise from Capital One and Chase's Credit Journey that don't require you to be a cardholder. What to look for when you review your credit reportMonitoring your credit report is even more important during uncertain economic times since fraudsters like to take advantage of these situations. You should keep an eye out for common credit report errors and signs of fraud when checking your credit report, such as:
If you notice any errors, dispute them as soon as possible. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to dispute a credit report error. Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party. You can request and review your free report through one of the following ways:
Annual Credit Report Request Service You can request all three reports at once or you can order one report at a time. By requesting the reports separately (for example, one every four months) you can monitor your credit report throughout the year. Once you’ve received your annual free credit report, you can still request additional reports. By law, a credit reporting company can charge no more than $13.50 for a credit report. You are also eligible for reports from specialty consumer reporting companies. We put together a list of several of these companies so you can see which ones might be important to you. You have to request the reports individually from each of these companies. Many of the companies in this list will provide a report for free every 12 months. Other companies may charge you a fee for your report. You can get additional free reports if any of the following apply to you:
Tip: Be cautious of websites that claim to offer free credit reports. Some of these websites will only give you a free report if you buy other products or services. Other websites give you a free report and then bill you for services you have to cancel. To get the free credit report authorized by law, go to AnnualCreditReport.com or call (877) 322-8228.
How do I request my free credit report?Request Your Free Credit Report:
Online: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com. By Phone: Call 1-877-322-8228.
Is it free to use TransUnion?You're always entitled to one free credit report a year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) at annualcreditreport.com. Throughout 2022, we're pleased to offer you a free weekly report from annualcreditreport.com to help you manage your credit health.
How much does it cost for TransUnion?Be in the know with TransUnion®
Lenders use a variety of credit scores and are likely to use a credit score different from VantageScore® 3.0 to assess your creditworthiness. Subscription price is $29.95 per month (plus tax where applicable).
Is Equifax and TransUnion free?And it's still free. The three national credit reporting agencies—TransUnion, Experian and Equifax—are required by federal law to provide you with a free annual credit report.
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