The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer
reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a
free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has
prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free
Credit Reports, explaining your rights under the FCRA and how to
order a free annual credit report.
A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your
bills, and whether you've been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy.
Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to
creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate
your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.
When you order, you need to provide your name, address, Social Security
number, and date of birth. To verify your identity, you may need to provide some
information that only you would know, like the amount of your monthly mortgage
payment.
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