How do you Get a Copy of Your Credit Report?

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA) grants you one free credit report per year from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. You can request one, two, or all three reports at the same time, or stagger your requests over a 12-month period. One advantage of ordering all your reports at one time is you can compare the information each of the bureaus has collected on you. However, if you opt to order a report every four months, you’ll be able to see any unauthorized activity that’s occurred in the previous months.

How to order your reports
You can order free reports online at Annualcreditreport.com. You can also request your reports by phone by calling toll free (877) 322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Phone and mail requests will be processed within 15 days of receipt.

You’ll need to provide specific information, such as your name, current and previous addresses, telephone number, social security number, and date of birth. Also, to verify your identity, other information such as a copy of your driver's license or a credit union statement may be required.

Let’s say you get your credit report, and it’s not as great as you’d hoped it would be. What can you do? Click here for tips on improving your credit score.