Check Your Credit Report Every Week for Free

Keeping up with your credit report and making sure it is accurate has always been important. In today's volatile economic climate, the ability to check your credit is even more critical. As you may be one of the many who can't pay all of your bills in time, you will want to keep a close watch to any changes in your credit report so that you can take action to correct errors.

TransUnion, Equifax and Experian are offering free credit reports to consumers each week from now until April 2021. Traditionally these three credit reporting bureaus have offered one free credit report per year. Providing free credit reports weekly online is an effort to help consumers monitor their credit and ensure that the information reported is correct during the current economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

How do I get a copy of my credit report?

Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request your free credit report. You will fill out a form and provide your name, address, social security number, date of birth, and if you've moved in the last two years, you may need to provide your previous address. You will also answer out of wallet questions that only you would know like your monthly car payment, for example.

What kind of information is on my credit report?

Your credit report states your physical address, details on how you pay your bills, an account of any lawsuits against you or arrests, and whether you have filed bankruptcy. This information is used by employers, banks, and credit unions to determine your creditworthiness for loans, employment, and insurance. Your free credit report will not include your credit score.

What do I do if I find an error on my credit report?

If you find an error on your credit report, you will notify the credit reporting company in writing with details about the information you find to be inaccurate. Write a letter that identifies each item in your report that you dispute. Be sure to state the facts that support why you are challenging the information. Credit reporting companies are required to investigate your dispute. If they find that the information reported on your credit report is inaccurate, they must notify all three nationwide credit reporting agencies.