How to Order Your Free Credit Report

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers have a right to receive a free credit report. The FCRA requires each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union, to provide you with a free credit report once every 12 months. This is called a “free annual disclosure.” Congress enacted the FCRA to promote the accuracy of information in consumer reporting agencies’ files.

Follow These Simple Steps

In order to get your free annual credit report, you will need to provide Central Source with your name, address, Social Security number and date of birth. If you have moved in the last 2 years, you may be required to provide your previous address.

Download the Annual Credit Report Request Form →

Print, complete and mail the form to:

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

NOTE: You may request all 3 credit reports, or you may stagger your requests from the credit reporting agencies one at a time. Also, some states allow consumers to request additional free copies of their credit report under state law.

While consumers may request credit reports online, it’s better to request the reports by mail to document the request. Also, some of the credit reporting agencies require consumers to agree to arbitration before giving access to a credit report online. Consumers do not have a right to a jury trial if the case goes to arbitration. Consumers have a right to a jury trial under the 7th Amendment! So order your reports by mail.

If you do not receive your reports, then you can file a complaint with the government. Consumers may file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by clicking here. Consumers can also complain to the Central Source by clicking here.

Know Your Rights

We protect consumers’ right to a free credit report and enforce the federal law by filing lawsuits on behalf of our clients. Credit reports contain personal information, including your address, bill payment history and public records, such as liens and judgments. Credit reports also include information about the companies who reviewed the credit file.  These are called inquiries. Inquiries are made by existing creditors, insurance companies, landlords and potential employers.

The FCRA was amended in 2003 and required Equifax, Experian and Trans Union to create a “centralized source” for consumers to get all 3 credit reports for free. As a result, Equifax, Experian and Trans Union created a company called “Central Source, LLC” as a joint venture.

Federal law requires the nationwide consumer reporting agencies to have a central telephone number, address and website for consumers to contact for a free credit report.

Download the Free Annual Disclosure Request Form to order your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.

Don’t Be Fooled by Imposter Websites

Only one website is authorized to fill orders for your free annual credit report – www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

However, some imposter websites use terms like “free report” in their website name.  Some sites are owned by the credit reporting agencies. For example, FreeCreditReport.com and FreeCreditScore.com are a part of Experian. Other sites use variations of the www.annualcreditreport.com name with different spellings or domains. These sites try to sell you your free report or sign you up for credit monitoring.

If you want to request your reports online, then go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com

Get in Touch

Have you requested your free credit report, but the credit reporting agency did not send it to you? Contact us to determine your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Contact us to schedule a case review.