Ordering a free Annual Credit Report
A free credit report is available every 12 months from annualcreditreport.com, a website run by the three bureaus. It’s also possible to order by phone at the toll-free number 1-877-322-8228, or mail a request form (available online) to the Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5281.
Reports may also be requested individually from each of the credit bureaus. All of them have websites and toll-free numbers through which requests can be processed. These are as follows:
Experian (www.experian.com): 1-888-397-3742
Equifax (www.equifax.com): 1-800-685-1111
TransUnion (www.transunion.com): 1-800-916-8800
To get the report, one must provide his or her name, address, date of birth, and social security number. Those who have changed residence may have to provide previous addresses within the past two years. This information is meant to confirm the identity of the person requesting the report and to ensure that no third party, except for authorized lenders, can access a person’s credit records. Each company may also ask for specific information that only the requester will know, such as the exact value of monthly mortgage payments. Additional copies of the report can cost up to $10.50.
Online credit reports can be accessed immediately, while reports requested by phone and mail should arrive within 15 days of the request. However, the report may be delayed when the bureaus have problems verifying the identity or obtaining information from lenders, regardless of the request method.