How to get your credit report
Discover tips to monitor your credit report and protect your financial reputation.
When you apply for credit, lenders typically review your credit history. By being proactive and checking your credit report on a regular basis, you will know where your credit stands and you can also monitor for any indications of fraud.
What is a credit report?
Your credit report is a document issued by an independent consumer reporting agency that contains information about your credit history and current credit standing.
How to get your credit report
The three largest consumer reporting agencies in the United States are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to receive one free copy of your credit report from each of these three companies once a year. You can obtain them at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Coach’s note:
You might be able to access your credit report more frequently from the agencies directly. Visit each agency’s website for more information. Be mindful of fees, if any, associated with different services offered by the agencies.
To request additional credit reports, visit:
Be wary of the many websites that advertise free credit reports! Many consumers get tricked into paying for reports and services they don’t really need.
Note that your credit score is not your credit report, and it will not appear in the credit report.
How to read your credit report
Here are key sections in your credit report:
Personal information: Full name, current and previous addresses, Social Security Number, date of birth, and other information.
Public record information: Information that is listed about you in the records of local, state, or federal courts.
Collections: Collections information for any instances where a collection agency is used to collect on past due accounts to pay off debts.
Credit history: List of all the accounts where you have credit, or used to have credit.
Inquiries: List of the companies that have requested a copy of your credit report.
How to fix errors on your credit report
When you receive your report, check for mistakes such as accounts you didn’t open and errors in your history. If you find an error, complete the dispute form provided by the consumer reporting agency. Only the agencies can correct the data on your report. Contact the three major consumer reporting agencies directly:
- Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
- Experian: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800
What kind of errors should you check for?
Confirm everything in your report. Start by checking whether your name and Social Security Number are correct; then review every item on every account. Be thorough because any errors could affect your rating. Pay special attention to these items:
- Incorrect addresses: If the report shows an incorrect address, whether your current address or in the past, contact the consumer reporting agency. This could mean that someone at that address fraudulently claimed to be you.
- Accounts you didn’t open: If there are credit accounts listed that you didn’t open, contact the credit bureau immediately. This could be a sign that you’ve been the victim of identity theft.
- Mistakes in your credit history: Check each credit account to see if it accurately shows your history. For example, if a credit card account is listed as having been 60 days past due, but you’ve always paid your bills on time, contact that creditor and request that they fix the error.
Protect your credit
In addition to checking your credit report, you can help protect your credit by regularly checking your credit account statements each month. If you notice any suspicious charges, contact the credit card company right away. Also consider enrolling in email or text alerts for credit card account information. These measures can help to identify issues more quickly before they show up in your credit report.
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Strengthen your credit
Want help putting this into action? Get a personalized playbook for managing credit with Get Money Ready Coach.
