A credit report is a useful important document. It helps you obtain a mortgage, a new car, and a student loan. It can impact credit card approvals and maybe even a job application. Getting an annual credit report for free can be safe if you are careful about the particular website from which you get it. But you should be careful, since pulling your credit many times over a short period can actually worsen your credit score.
Three major credit reporting agencies provide credit reports: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These may be the safest routes to obtaining your credit history, which ultimately affects your personal credit score.
Key Takeaways
- Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are the three credit bureaus that provide credit reports.
- Phishing is a cybercrime that can occur when you request your credit check.
- You can protect yourself from cybercrime by avoiding clicking on links to fraudulent sites.
- Receiving an annual credit report is safe as long as its not pulled an excessive number of times.
Safely Request Your Credit History
These days, receiving an annual credit report is safe. The most common website from which consumers can receive free credit reports is AnnualCreditReport.com. In 2003, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) was passed, allowing every consumer access to an annual free credit report. The three major credit bureaus worked together to create AnnualCreditReport.com for this purpose.
The website has SSL encryption and is considered a secure site. You may request your credit report from each agency yearly, and some consumers request one from each one every four months to receive free reports on a quarterly rotation.
Experian is the only credit agency that also provides your FICO score for free. If you want a credit score from either Equifax or TransUnion, you will have to pay a fee to the agencies.
Many major credit card issuers, like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, offer cardmembers free credit scores. Interestingly, a growing number of credit card issuers are now offering free credit scores to anyone—not just cardmembers. For example, you don't have to have a credit card or an account with Chase or Discover to check your credit score for free.
Your credit history is different from your credit score.
Getting Free Reports
Going directly to the three credit bureau agency websites (Experian.com, TransUnion.com, and Equifax.com) is another alternative. While TransUnion will direct you to annualcreditreport.com, you can get a free credit report directly from both Experian's and Equifax's websites.
Each of these bureaus is required by law to supply consumers with a free credit report annually. If you are the victim of fraud, you may be able to receive free credit reports, and the law states that if a company takes action against you, you can receive free credit reports. This law includes insurance, or employment, or denial of credit, as well as any judgments or credit reports from collection agencies. Consumers must request the free reports within 60 days from the date of the suspected wrongful action.
Tips to Ensure Security
Phishing is a growing trend in the world of cybercrime. It is the act of portraying something legitimate to trick you into giving out your personal identification information, especially your Social Security numbers. Many of these phishing attacks occur through email or websites that look legitimate to the naked eye, but they are really set up to trick you. Here are some ways to protect yourself:
- Never click or proceed to a website from an email, as it will often lead to one of these fraudulent sites.
- Always look at the website's URL in the address bar. If anything looks suspicious, such as the misspelling of a word, do not proceed.
- Password protect your personal computers, pads, and mobile phones.
- Beware of posting or offering any personal information on social media. Never give out or post your Social Security number or your actual birthday.
The Bottom Line
Free credit reports are a great tool for consumers to track and find ways to improve their credit scores. However, with cybercrime like phishing on the rise, it is important to be aware of the potential threats and only proceed to credible websites.
FAQs
Getting an annual credit report for free can be safe if you are careful about the particular website from which you get it. But you should be careful, since pulling your credit many times over a short period can actually worsen your credit score.
Are free credit reports safe? ›
You can safely get a free credit report from all three credit bureaus using AnnualCreditReport.com. There is no need to pay for a credit report since you have access to the same information for free. It's important to periodically check your credit reports to look for errors or signs of identity theft.
Which free credit report is legitimate? ›
You might see companies and sites offering free credit reports, but there's only one authorized place to get the free annual credit reports you're entitled to by law: AnnualCreditReport.com.
Does freecreditreport.com hurt your credit? ›
No. Pulling your own credit report is referred to as a "soft inquiry". Soft inquiries don't impact your credit score.
What is the safest way to get my credit report? ›
Learn about your credit report and how to get a copy
- Online by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
- By calling 1-877-322-8228 (TTY: 1-800-821-7232)
- By filling out the Annual Credit Report request form and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service. PO Box 105281. Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
No, requesting your credit report does not hurt your credit score. You can check your credit at no charge at annualcreditreport.com . You can review your credit report online for free once a week, from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
What is the safest website to check credit score? ›
Don't be fooled by look-alikes.
Lots of sites promise credit reports for free. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them.
How can I get a truly free credit report? ›
You have the right to request one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You may also be able to view free reports more frequently online.
Is it safe to get a free credit report from Experian? ›
Checking your own credit report or score won't affect your credit scores. It's an example of a soft inquiry—a request for credit info that does not affect credit scores. Experian, TransUnion and Equifax now offer all U.S. consumers free weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.
How trustworthy is Experian? ›
Credit scores from the three main bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) are considered accurate. The accuracy of the scores depends on the accuracy of the information provided to them by lenders and creditors.
5 Things That May Hurt Your Credit Scores
- Making a late payment.
- Having a high debt to credit utilization ratio.
- Applying for a lot of credit at once.
- Closing a credit card account.
- Stopping your credit-related activities for an extended period.
Credit Karma: Best free credit score app
It also make recommendations about credit cards, loans, and more. It tells you which ones you'll likely be approved for and how different financial decisions will affect your credit profile.
What is the most accurate credit score source? ›
The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan.
Is free credit report legit? ›
Federal law gives you free access to your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Using the government-mandated AnnualCreditReport.com website is the quickest way to get them, but you can also request them by phone or mail.
What is the most pulled credit report? ›
Experian. This is the largest credit bureau, maintaining credit information for over 220 million consumers in the U.S. Unlike the other credit bureaus, Experian collects rental payment data from landlords who report this information.
Should I give Experian my social security number? ›
A Social Security number (SSN) is helpful when compiling your credit history because it is the only identifier uniquely assigned to each U.S. consumer. Experian will ask for it when you order your own credit report to help ensure that we provide you a complete and accurate report.
Which credit report is most accurate? ›
Of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), none is considered better than the others. A lender may rely on a report from one bureau or all three bureaus to make its decisions about approving a loan.
Is free credit score accurate? ›
If you're waiting for a catch, here it is: The numerical rating that these sites provide isn't the FICO score that most banks rely on to make lending decisions. Rather, they give you a VantageScore, created in collaboration with the top three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Does your free credit report include your credit score? ›
Free credit reports provided by the nationwide credit reporting agencies currently do not include free credit scores. However, your credit card company may provide a free score. Be wary of programs offering “free scores” if you enroll – they are generally not really free.
