How to Get a Written Credit Report

A written credit report is a financial history. Typically, it contains information about your previous and current residence, accounts, balances and payment behavior. According to the Federal Trade Commission, a written credit report also indicates whether you have been sued, or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. This information is collected by three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), then is sold to creditors, insurers and employers. Since the information listed in your credit report is used to evaluate your credit worthiness, it is crucial that you order a copy and check it for errors. Learn how to get a written credit report in the following steps.

Instructions

1

Go to the Federal Trade Commission website to learn more about your rights as a consumer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Understand that you are entitled to a free credit report from each credit bureau annually.

2

Prepare to give your contact information. Get ready to list your name, address, social security number and date of birth. Expect to answer one or two personal questions for verification purposes, such as the name of your student loan lender or the amount of your mortgage payment.

3

Get a written credit report by phone. Call the Annual Credit Report Request Service to order a credit report.

4

Get a written credit report over the Internet. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com (the website of the Annual Credit Report Request Service) and complete the steps to get a report.

5

Get a written credit report by mail. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, then print a copy of the Annual Credit Report Request Form. Fill out the fields, then send it to the address listed on the brochure.