Getting a free credit report sounds easy—until you try it. Between confusing websites, hidden fees, and tricky trial offers, it’s surprisingly difficult to get what you’re legally entitled to without accidentally signing up for something you didn’t want.
But don’t worry—we’ve figured it out so you don’t have to. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check your credit report safely and completely free of charge.
Why Your Credit Report Still Matters (Even If You Don’t Use Credit)
Even if you’re not planning to take out a loan or open a credit card, your credit report still affects your life. Employers may check it before offering you a job. Landlords can use it to decide whether to rent to you. Even car insurance companies often look at it when setting your rate.
That’s why it’s so important to check your report at least once a year. You can catch errors or signs of identity theft early, and make sure you’re not being overcharged or unfairly denied opportunities.
The One Official Website You Can Trust
There is only one website that provides truly free credit reports—no strings attached—and that’s AnnualCreditReport.com.
This is the official site authorized by federal law and backed by the FTC. It’s not the same as the lookalike websites that try to trick you into entering payment info. You won’t need a credit card, and you won’t be asked to start a trial. Just go to the site, verify your identity, and access your reports.
We strongly recommend bookmarking the official site so you don’t get misled later.
What to Have Ready Before You Begin
Before you request your report, gather the personal information you’ll need. That includes your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and any past addresses you’ve lived at in the last couple of years.
You’ll also be asked security questions based on your credit file. These might include details about old loans, previous employers, or old addresses. If you can’t pass this online verification, don’t worry—you can request your reports by phone or mail instead.
Step-by-Step: How to Request Your Free Reports
Start by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. From there, click on “Request your free credit reports” and enter your information to verify your identity.
You can choose to get reports from all three major bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—or just one. Some people choose to stagger their requests, checking one report every four months so they can monitor their credit throughout the year.
Once you choose your bureaus, you’ll be redirected to each bureau’s website. This is where things can get tricky. These sites often display pop-ups or “special offers” to try and get you to pay for extra services like credit scores or identity protection. Always look for a small “No thanks” button or a close (X) icon to bypass these upsells.
After getting through those steps, you can view, download, and save your credit reports for free.
What You Actually Get (And What You Don’t)
Your free report includes all the details of your credit history: open accounts, closed accounts, payment history, balances, and more. However, it does not include your credit score—and that’s okay.
Credit scores are calculated using many different models, and the scores you see online often don’t match what lenders actually use. What matters more is that the information in your report is accurate. That’s what your score is based on anyway.
The Biggest Mistake: Giving Them Your Payment Info
No matter how tempting it seems, don’t give out your payment information when requesting your report. Even if they say your score is “free today,” many of these offers are just bait for subscription services that will charge you later.
Once you hand over your debit or credit card, it becomes much harder to avoid unexpected charges. That’s why we always recommend skipping anything that requires payment info. Just stick to the official site and say no to everything extra.
How to Avoid Common Scams
Scammers love to target people who are trying to access their credit reports. If a website claims your free offer is “expiring soon,” you’re in the wrong place. The official reports are available every year, no expiration date.
Also, never respond to calls, emails, or texts claiming to be from the credit bureaus. The bureaus won’t contact you that way, and they’ll never ask for your Social Security number over the phone or email. If you get a suspicious message, delete it.
And always be careful with links in your email—go to the website directly instead of clicking on a link someone sent you.
Want to Earn a Little Extra?
If you’re trying to pay off a debt that showed up on your credit report or just want to build a little savings, you can earn extra money online by taking surveys, testing apps, and playing games. Check out Free Cash for some simple ways to get started.
Relief Recap
Getting your credit report for free shouldn’t be stressful—but between confusing sites and aggressive upsells, it often is. The safest way to do it is through the official AnnualCreditReport.com site. Never enter payment info, avoid anything that sounds too good to be true, and check your report at least once a year to stay on top of your financial health.