How to See My Credit Score Without Paying or Joining a Free Trial Period

Countless advertisements offer "free" copies of your credit report. What the ads don't tell you is that "free" refers to a trial period, after which your credit card will be charged on a monthly basis. Your credit score affects your ability to obtain financing and will help you detect identity theft, so reviewing it is essential. What many consumers don't realize is that, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, they are entitled to one free credit report from each of the major bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) in a 12-month period. The bureaus have joined together to create a Central Source for consumers to obtain copies of their credit reports online, by mail or over the phone.

Instructions

Online

1

Log on to Annual Credit Report website at annualcreditreport.com.

2

Select your state of residence from the drop-down menu. Click "request report." You will be taken to another screen.

3

Enter your first and last name, date of birth and Social Security number. Your Social Security number will be encrypted, and you can check the box below so that it only displays the last four digits of your Social Security number on the report.

4

Type your street address, city and state. Indicate if you have lived at your current address for at least two years. If less than two years, type your previous address below.

5

Type the security code into the box at the bottom of the screen.

6

Check the box next to each credit bureau you want a report from. You can check one, two or all three. Click "next" and your report will generate onscreen.

By Phone

7

Contact the Central Source by dialing 1-877-322-8228.

8

Follow the prompts and verify your personal information such as name, Social Security number and address.

9

Select which bureaus you want your credit report from. Your report will be mailed within 15 days. You should receive it two to three weeks after that.

By Mail

10

Download a request form from the Annual Credit Report website.

11

Complete the form and select which bureaus you want your credit report from.

12

Mail the completed form to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281

Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Your report will be mailed within 15 days. You should receive it two to three weeks after that.