Learn about your credit report and how to get a copy | USAGov (2024)

FAQs

How can I get a full copy of my credit report? ›

You can either request your credit history via a basic statutory report for free, or new customers can sign up to a free trial of CreditExpert which will include your Experian Credit Score, fraud monitoring and alerts, and tailored guidance on how to improve how lenders see you.

You can get a free report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies through AnnualCreditReport.com. You can request all three of your reports at once, or you can space them out over the course of the year.

Don't be fooled by look-alikes. Lots of sites promise credit reports for free. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them.

You can easily check your credit report – and it's totally free. Here's a quick lowdown if you know what you're doing and just want to get on with it. Alternatively, read our How to check your credit score for free guide below or check out our Credit scores guide for tips on how to improve your score.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a federal law, requires this.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB's website.

There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.

Of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), none is considered better than the others. A lender may rely on a report from one bureau or all three bureaus to make its decisions about approving a loan.

What is the best credit score? ›

FICO is the acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation, as well as the name for the credit scoring model that Fair Isaac Corporation developed. A FICO credit score is a tool used by many lenders to determine if a person qualifies for a credit card, mortgage, or other loan.

You can request and review your free report through one of the following ways: Online: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com. Phone: Call (877) 322-8228. Mail: Download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request form .

The AnnualCreditReport.com website is secured through encryption. This means you can safely and securely get a free report from each of the credit bureaus through this website, which you can opt to save on your computer, print at home, or receive in the regular mail.

The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan.

You can then save a limited copy of your credit report, but only if you use Google Chrome or Safari on a desktop computer. The way to do that is by clicking "Save As PDF" or "Export as PDF" from within your browser.

Can I get a credit report through my bank? Many banks will provide your credit score, but few will let you obtain a credit report. A credit report is a more detailed analysis of your credit. It contains information about your current credit activities and your status.