Getting Free Credit Reports By Mail

Getting a copy of your free credit reports is one thing you need to do if you want to improve your credit score, apply for loans or check for identity theft. Trans Union, Experian and Equifax are the three credit agencies that have detailed records of your financial history. These three agencies determine your credit score which affects many areas of your life. The government legally requires all three credit reporting agencies to provide you with a copy of your credit report each year at no charge. All you have to do is request the credit reports and there are a few ways to do this.

Instructions

1

Call the credit report agencies. If you just want a credit report from Trans Union, Experian or Equifax, you can use the toll-free numbers to request the free copies. This is the easiest way to get your credit report. The number for Trans Union is (800) 888-4213. Call Experian at (888) 397-3742. The number for Equifax is (888) 202-4025.

2

Visit the websites of the credit agencies. Each of the three credit reporting agencies has a website (see Resources list). By checking out the websites you will get more information about credit, improving your credit score and how the credit agencies work. Experian, Equifax and Trans Union all have easy to use online forms for requesting free copies of your credit report. (If you want you also have the option of seeing your credit report online immediately which you can then print out.) Be warned that sometimes online requests aren't accepted. If you have moved since the last time you got a credit report from a company, you have to prove the change of address by providing a copy of your phone bill or utility bill.

3

Mail the request for free copies. This step is necessary if you also need to submit copies of a bill to show your new address. All the credit agencies allow you to print out a request form, fill it out and then mail it to the company. If you have to show proof of change of address, it is probably best to submit all the paperwork at one time to simplify matters. Making a request by mail is also an option for people who are not comfortable putting personal information on the Internet.

4

Contact Annual Credit Report if you need all three reports. Annual Credit Report is the only company authorized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide consumers with free copies of their credit reports each year. The website provides useful information about the credit reporting agencies and credit monitoring services. There is an easy to use form for requesting your credit reports. Once you fill out the online form and submit it, you will receive copies of you credit reports through the mail within 15 days. Another option is to call the company at (877) 322-8228 and use the automatic system. Still another choice is to print out the request form and then mail it to American Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.