How to get a free credit report

Being aware of the information in your credit reports is a huge step in the right direction. Positive and negative information influence your credit history and especially your credit scores.

Being aware of the information that exists about you can help you make better decisions. There are several ways to get a free credit report:

Denial of Credit
The Fair Credit Reporting Act says that you are entitled to a credit report if you have been denied credit due to information in your credit report. You can request a free credit report from the credit reporting agency which denied you within 60 days of learning that you were denied.

The FACT Act
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) allows consumers to get a free credit report from each credit reporting agency once every 12 months. Consumers can request one, two or all three of their credit reports at one time from AnnualCreditReport.com.

AnnualCreditReport is the central source set up by the three major credit reporting agencies under the FACTA. You can order your credit reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Request forms are available online if you prefer to request your reports in writing. Make sure you are at the correct website for FACTA as many scam websites have been set up to resemble the site.

Seeking Employment or Unemployed
You can get a free credit report within 60 days of seeking employment. You must contact the credit reporting agencies and inform them you will begin seeking employment and you need a free credit report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Denied Employment
If you have been denied employment based upon information, in whole or part, in your credit reports you are entitled to a free credit report rom the credit reporting agency where the information was obtained.

Government Assistance
Receiving government assistance such as welfare entitles you to a free credit report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Fraud or Identity Theft
If you have reason to believe your credit reports are inaccurate due to fraud or identity theft you are entitled to free credit reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.