We’ve talked about the importance of periodically reviewing our credit report. But is there a way to get a copy of my credit report for free?
Each credit bureau offers your credit report for a small fee, but yes, you can also get a copy of your credit report totally free through other avenues.
So, how do I get a free credit report?
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 enables you to get an Equifax, Experian and TransUnion credit report for free, once every year. The simplest way is to request it online by visiting the website AnnualCreditReport.com and filling out a form to request the credit reports.
Is there any other way to get a free credit report?
Yes! If any of your applications – like credit card or insurance applications – is denied because of some information contained on your credit report, you can request a free copy of your credit report within 60 days. Usually, the application’s denial letter contains the name of the credit bureau that provided the report, and information on how to request your copy.
Wow, that’s great!
Wait, there’s more! There are also many websites – like CreditKarma.com and CreditSesame.com – that offer credit reports from one or more credit bureaus for free. Some of these websites also include free credit scores. But please beware of misleading websites that may charge for this under some pretext – make sure that the website doesn’t require a paid subscription or ask for your credit card information.
Podcast: How to Get a Free Credit Report
Fun, informative and concise episodes by a 10-year old, breaking down complex financial concepts in a way that kids and beginners can understand. Episodes cover personal finance topics like saving, investing, banking, credit cards, insurance, real estate, mortgage, retirement planning, 401k, stocks, bonds, income tax, and more, and are in the form of a conversation between a cowboy (a finance novice) and his friend, a stock broker. Making finance your friend, only at Easy Peasy Finance.
A little bit about me: I have been fascinated with the world of personal finance since I was 6! I love to read personal finance books, and keep myself updated on the latest by reading various personal finance magazines. My friends often ask me questions about finance because they find it complex and intimidating. That’s what inspired me to start my YouTube channel called Easy Peasy Finance when I was 8, and this podcast 2 years later.
Information on all the ways you can get a get a free credit report for reviewing periodically: How to Get a Free Credit Report from AnnualCreditReport.com, How to Get a Free Credit Report and Credit Score from other websites, Get a Free Credit Report when your application is denied, and more.
Show notes and transcript at: https://www.easypeasyfinance.com/how-to-get-a-free-credit-report/
