How Can I Get My Credit Report & Credit Score Online for Free?

U.S. law mandates that the three national consumer credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. Getting access to your credit report is now easier than ever. Simply log into the site the companies set up, validate your identity, and download your reports. Getting a credit score online for free comes with a little more difficulty.

Instructions

1

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, from which you can get immediate access to all three of your credit reports. On the homepage, select the state in which you live. Next fill in the form that comes up with. You will be required to enter your full name, address, birthdate, and Social Security number.

2

Click on one of the three available reports, and then authenticate your identity. Each of the credit agencies may ask you for additional information that only you would know, like the name of a street you once lived on. The system will then present your full credit report, which you have the option of printing or saving as a web page. If you have a professional version of Adobe Acrobat, you may also make a PDF of your report.

3

Request a free credit report even if you've ordered and downloaded all three less than 12 months ago. Under federal law, you're entitled to a free report if a company takes "adverse action against you," such as reject your credit application or deny you insurance or employment, according to the Federal Trade Commission. As long as you request the report within 60 days of the denial, you are free to get another updated copy of your report.

You can also get one free report a year if you're unemployed and plan to apply for a job within 60 days. If you receive public assistance or you are victim of fraud, you can also get one free report.

4

Do not expect to find a free service to receive your credit score. Credit scores are determined by a propriety formula of the Fair Isaac Company. Numerous sites claim to offer a free credit score, but usually they are attached to a subscription service they are attempting to sell. Free online credit simulators, such as CreditKarma, simply offer an idea of the factors that go into your score. The result will not be your real credit score.