How To See Your Credit Report Online

Introduction

You should always have a clear understanding of what is included in your credit report because even if you have good credit, mistakes are common. Unfortunately, many people do not find out about these mistakes until after it is no longer easy to correct them. For instance, if you want to buy any large ticket item, like a house, car, boat, etc., your credit history will be checked first. If there are mistakes that lower your credit scores, then you will not qualify for the best loan rates. By the time you clear up the problems, the item you wanted to buy may no longer be available. Another problem you should be aware of is the threat of identity theft. Unlike getting rid of a mistake on you credit report, clearing up identity theft problems can have long lasting consequences that can hurt your credit for years.  Because of this, you should take advantage of the annual free check of your credit report online each year.

Step 1

For a free copy of your credit report online, go to the AnnualCreditReport.com website.  This site allows you to check your credit report online at no charge every 12 months. If you don't feel the need to check your report more than once a year, this site is perfect for you. Make sure you don't mistake sites that offer similar service for a fee for this free site. This site also offers you the option of making your request via phone or mail, however, your report will not be available to you immediately, instead, it will take up to 15 days before you have access to you report.

Step 2

This site also offers you the option of making your credit report online request via phone or mail instead, however, your report will not be available to you immediately. Instead, it will take up to 15 days before you have access to you report.

Step 3

To get started, enter your state and hit the "Request Report" button and then fill out the form that is generated. Your credit report online will include information from the three credit reporting companies, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. It is very important to have access to your credit report online from from all three because the results can vary between them. You may find information on one or two these reports that is not on the third report or you may find errors on one or all of them. Because of this, you should treat each company's report separately.

Step 4

If you notice any serious problems or if you are the victim of identity theft, you can have a fraud alert put on your account after you view your credit report online. This alert, which stays on file from 90 days to up to 7 years, should make it harder for anyone to apply for credit using your information. Also note that this site will never send you an email, so if you receive emails from sites with similar names, they are not authentic.

Step 5

Your free annual credit report online does not offer provide credit scores, however they are available from the three credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Please note that there may be a fee involved for providing your this service. Also, do not be alarmed if your credit scores is different for all three agencies.

Tips

• If you need to check your credit report online more than once a year, consider signing up with a credit monitoring company.
• If you suspect you may become a victim of identify theft or feel that there is suspicious activity on any of your accounts, consider having a fraud alert put on your file for your future protection.

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