How to Get Your Free Online Credit Report

There are sites that offer a free online credit report. Not only can you easily access your credit report, you can also get them for free because the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows consumers to get an annual or a yearly free credit report once every 12 months. In addition to the annual report, you can also request a free report if you belong to the categories below.

Aside from the categories mentioned, you can't request a copy of a free credit report. There is no place where you can get copies of your credit report without paying a fee or using credit card. The three major credit bureaus will give you no cost credit report but only for 30 days. After your free trial membership runs out you will then have to pay the membership fee.

Free Online Credit Report and Major Credit Bureaus

The only time you can request for free credit score online from the three major credit reporting agencies -- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion -- is if you fall under the following categories:

You have been denied credit in the past 60 days,
you are unemployed,
you are on welfare,
you believe your credit report contains inaccurate information due to fraud.

If you are none of the above but you want to request a copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian, or Trans Union, then the credit reporting agencies will charge you a small fee for the report.

Personal Information for a Free Online Credit Report

To get your free credit score online, you will need to provide your personal information to verify your identity: name, address, Social Security Number, and date of birth.

Your credit bureaus will use the above sensitive information to protect you from identity thieves who try to get your credit information. By verifying your identity before approving your request for free credit score online, you are protected from these unscrupulous individuals.

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for instructions on how to go about ordering your free credit report and free credit score online or off. Alternatively, you can also check the Consumer Section of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website for information on where to access your free credit report.

Free Credit Report Online Membership

In addition to the above site you can also view your free credit report online directly to the sites of the three major credit bureaus. These reporting companies will give access to your credit report for free, but only for 30 days. After your free membership runs out, you will have to pay the membership fee.

The free trial membership is actually a marketing gimmick that is purposely designed to make you want to view your free credit report with no obligation. If you want to stop using their credit monitoring services, you must cancel your membership before the 30 days are over, otherwise you will be charged a month's worth of use.

Only consider a free credit report membership service if you're taking on steps to improve your credit score or want to minimize any identity theft risks. Using this service, you'll be able to closely monitor your credit score. You get a notification within 24 hours of critical report changes and are explained on how to better understand your credit score.

So being rejected for a loan or credit card is not a nice feeling. But if you know your credit score, then you will successfully apply for a loan with a different lender. A free credit report online will not just let you see how good or bad you have been with your finances, but it will also let you know how banks and loan companies see you.

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