How often do you check your credit report? Make checking your credit report part of your financial wellness routine. Currently, the three nationwide credit bureaus have continued to extend their program allowing for a free weekly credit report. Reasons to check your credit report include ensuring that your information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date, and looking for signs of identity theft.
If you are interested in checking your credit report for free, you can visit AnnualCreditReport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete a request form and mail it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5281. The options listed above are a centralized way to order your free report. The online option allows faster access to your report, while calling or mailing your request will take longer, as you will receive the report by mail.
A credit report may be used for many big life changes. When applying for a mortgage, the information on your credit report may affect the rate you are offered. A credit report may also be used as part of a job application or apartment request. Checking your credit report and understanding which information will be viewed by potential creditors or loan officers can help you prepare for when you need to use your credit.
If you find a mistake on your credit report, you can submit a dispute to each of the reporting agencies that shows the mistake. The three nationwide credit bureaus are Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. The Federal Trade Commission provides a letter template for disputing an item on your credit report. Mistakes can be disputed by mail, phone, or online, and the credit bureau has 30 days to investigate the dispute. Set aside time to request and review your credit report.
References
Central Source, LLC. (n.d.). Home Page. Annual Credit Report.com. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). Credit reports and scores. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/
Federal Trade Commission. (2025, December 9). Free credit reports. Consumer Advice. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports
Meet the Author
Jamie Mahlandt is a Financial Educator for Bond, Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington counties in Southern Illinois. She provides financial education to the local community with an emphasis on financial literacy and financial well-being.
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