Checking your credit reports is one of the simplest ways to protect your finances. Your reports show the accounts in your name, your payment history, and any negative items or errors that could affect approvals for loans, apartments, or even certain jobs.
The good news: you can get free copies of your credit reports from each of the major credit reporting companies, and you can request them online, by phone, or by mail.
What a “credit report” is (and what it isn’t)
- A credit report is a record of your credit history—accounts, balances, payment status, and public record/collection items.
- A credit score is a number calculated from information in your report. Your score can change as the data in your report changes.
You don’t need to buy anything to get your report.
How to get your free credit reports
You have a few methods to request them. The official free-report process allows you to request reports from the three nationwide credit reporting companies.
Option 1: Request online
The online request is usually the fastest method and lets you view or download your report after verifying your identity.
Option 2: Request by phone
You can call the official number to request your reports by phone.
Option 3: Request by mail
If you prefer paper, you can mail a request form. This is slower, but useful if you want physical copies or if online verification is difficult.
How often can you get them for free?
Free-report access has changed over time. The key point is: you can get free reports through the official process, and you may be able to request them more frequently than “once a year,” depending on current rules. If you’re working on credit repair, it’s smart to check what your free-report frequency is right now and build a schedule around it.
What to look for once you have your reports
Don’t just download and forget them—scan for accuracy. Common issues include:
- Accounts you don’t recognize (possible identity theft)
- Incorrect late payments or balances
- Duplicate accounts or the same debt listed multiple times
- Wrong personal information (name, address, employer)
What to do if you find an error
If something is wrong, you generally have two tracks:
- Dispute it with the credit reporting company
You can file a dispute and provide documentation supporting your claim. - Dispute it with the company that furnished the information
That could be a lender, creditor, or debt collector reporting the item.
Keep copies of everything you send, and track dates so you can follow up if needed.
A simple “credit report check” routine
If you’re trying to improve your credit, consider this routine:
- Pull your reports
- Review for errors and dispute anything inaccurate
- Watch your credit utilization and payment history (two major drivers of scores)
- Re-check periodically to confirm corrections and track progress