Get Free Credit Reports from All 3 Credit Bureaus- Safely!

Something for FREE? You’re right to be skeptical. In the online world, being told that something is free, then being asked to input data sounds more like a scam than a resource. (And often, that’s true!)

But if you haven’t checked your credit reports in a while (or ever), you should know that you actually can get free credit reports from all three major credit bureaus- Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You just have to know where to get your credit info and stay safe in one easy move.

Why Getting a Free Credit Report Matters

You might be thinking, who cares about looking at my free credit report? *shrug*

We get it- most people don’t wake up in the morning looking forward to being reminded of all the credit card debt they’re carrying or how much they still owe on their car loan. But actually, reviewing your free credit reports is one of the smartest things you can do to protect yourself as a consumer.

Credit reports list all the most important information that shapes your financial life. Yes, it can be painful to sift through debts and payment histories, but once you know what we know, you’ll never want to skip this task again.

Credit report errors are disturbingly common AND credit report errors are completely fixable.

This means that reviewing your free credit report isn’t just another thing to add to your to do list- it’s one of the smartest, easiest things you can do to protect your financial life. And protecting your credit isn't just something you should do if you're currently happy with the state of your credit. In fact, staying on top of what's in your credit report and protecting your credit, help set the stage for a credit comeback, no matter where you are now.

You Have a Legal Right to a Free Credit Report

Just to emphasize how important checking your credit reports is- the federal government used the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to lockdown your legal right to get a free credit report from each of the credit bureaus- Experian, Equifax and TransUnion- once per year.  

How to Get Your Free Credit Reports

You don't need to use your Spidey senses to avoid getting scammed- the credit bureaus have set up a verified website where you can access your free annual credit report. And guess what they called it so that you’d never forget or feel confused? annualcreditreport.com

Even though good things on the internet rarely turn into even better things, this is an exception. During the pandemic, access to your free credit reports through this website was increased to once per week and they never changed it back.

So, you can check your free credit reports at Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion every single week and be ahead of the curve on your financial health.

Alternate Method: Mailing Address

If you don’t want to use the online portal, you can also mail the AnnualCredit Report Request Form to the official mailing address:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

What to Watch Out For

If you decide to check your free credit report at 3 am when you wake up in a sweat about your debts, you might not remember the name of the verified website, so keep in mind that there are fraudsters who set up fake credit report portals trying to steal your personal information. And keep an eye out for warning signs that a site offering free credit scores or free credit reports is not the right one:

• ‍Paid services. Some sites will offer a “free credit report” as part of an initial free membership period before a paid subscription kicks in. This is NOT the same thing as getting access to your free credit report.‍
• Fake emails or misspelled URLs. If you Google it, double check that you click on the right site- annualcreditreport.com. If you get an email inviting you to click through and check your credit reports, even if it mentions the correct name of the verified site, do NOT click the link. Annualcreditreport.com is not emailing you or inviting you to check your credit. Open a new browser page and go to the site directly.

How to See Your Credit Score

The only downside to having access to your free credit report is that it does not include access to your free credit score. Unfortunately, the credit score is proprietary, meaning the credit bureaus each created their own secret formula for arriving at your credit score. So, unlike your credit reports, which are made up of YOUR data, you don’t necessarily have free access to your credit score, which is a calculation that uses your data.

The best way to see your free credit score is to use an app associated with your credit card or bank. Frequently, these companies will make a “credit snapshot” or credit score available through the app (or website).  

How to Fix Errors Made by the Credit Bureaus

If you’re going to start reviewing your free credit reports, it is 100% certain that a percentage of you will end up finding errors. After all, finding errors on your credit report is the reason to review your free credit reports in the first place.

If you happen to be one of the unlucky people who finds credit report errors, take comfort that you are now also among the lucky people who know how to fix them. Remember, you have a LEGAL right to accuracy on your credit reports and the credit bureaus have a LEGAL obligation to fix their mistakes!

• ‍Dispute credit report errors: This is a process in which you draft a legally air-tight letter to each credit bureau that is reporting errors. In this letter, state exactly what is wrong on your credit report, why it’s wrong, and how you can prove it. Provide copies of supporting documentation. *We recommend that you do this in writing and send everything by certified mail. Hold on to your receipts and copies of all supporting documents.*‍
• Track the timing:  If you don’t hear from the credit bureaus 30 days from their receipt of your dispute, it is generally unlawful.‍
• Prepare to be upset: Unless everything goes in your favor, be prepared to have your dispute ignored, to receive a response stating that the information is accurate, or to have the credit report error removed only to see it pop up again the next time you check your free credit report. ‍
• File a credit report lawsuit: It’s not everyone’s favorite thing to think about, but it is frequently the necessary last step in actually clearing credit report errors for good.

Or Let Mistake.com Fix the Credit Bureaus’ Mistakes

Buckle up for this news- not only can you get FREE credit reports, but you can also get FREE legal help for disputing credit report errors.

At Mistake.com, once you let us know you found credit report errors, we get to work fixing them. We review your credit reports, help you identify and gather the best proof and supporting documentation, draft a legally solid dispute letter, and take care of the dispute for you…for FREE.

Then, if your dispute gets ignored, falsely validated as accurate, or turns into a repeat offender, our legal team files a lawsuit. And you still never pay anything out of pocket.

Review your free credit reports and we’ll dispute the mistakes!

Get started today.