How Do I Unlock My Credit Reports with Annual Free Credit Report?
Reviewing your credit history annually helps you keep track of your financial health, credit usage and credit health while also helping your review what is being reported when you apply for a loan. The FTC provides consumers with a free credit report each year through the Annual Free Credit Report program, giving them more control over their credit health.
Keeping track of your credit report is one of the easiest and best ways to take control of your financial health. There are a number of products on the market that are designed to help you track your credit score, credit usage and any potential suspicious activities on your credit history. Most of these programs require a fee to view your credit report; however, there is a free option that is available to everyone: the Annual Free Credit Report. How do you unlock your credit reports with Annual Free Credit Report? You can find out how to access your free annual report below, and you can get more information on the process here.
Where to Get Your Free Report
The United States government provides consumers with a free yearly credit checkup through a central website giving you access to the mostly widely utilized credit reporting agencies. These agencies sponsor the annual credit report website, and it is maintained by Central Source, LLC not the FTC. You do not have to get all three reports at the same time, so you can stagger your free credit reports throughout the year. For example, you can get your Experian report in January, your Trans Union report in June and your Equifax report in November.
How to Access the Free Reports
The FTC provides consumers with several options for obtaining their free credit reports. You can request them over the phone, through the mail or online.
Via Phone
To order your Annual Free Credit Report on the phone, contact consumer support here and verbally make your request. You will be required to answer a number of questions confirming your identity before the reports are mailed to you.
Through the Mail
You can also submit a request for your Annual Free Credit Report through the mail. Complete the Annual Free Credit Report Request Form and mail it to the address provided by the FTC, or draft a letter requesting your free annual credit reports. In your letter include your name, address, date of birth and social security number.
Online
Going online is the quickest way to request your annual credit report. Make sure you are using the FTC authorized website to get your free credit report. To order your reports, complete the following steps:
- Open the FTC authorized website.
- Click on "Request Free Credit Reports" at the top of the page.
- Go to "Fill Out a Form."
- Provide the required information.
- Choose the report or reports you want to retrieve right now.
- Answer the questions that confirm your identity.
- Request and review your reports online.
Getting your Annual Free Credit Reports helps you keep on top of your financial health, shows how you are utilizing your credit, helps you keep track of obligations and how they are satisfied, and helps you make sure there is no suspicious or outdated information on your credit history. For more information or assistance, contact consumer support here.
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