Credit Reports and Scores...What Should You Do?

Your credit reports and scores impact your finances. Our resources help you better understand them, correct errors and improve your credit history.

You can request all three reports together or one at a time. If you order separate reports (for example, one every four months), you can monitor your credit report throughout the year. Once you have received your free annual credit report, you can still request additional reports. By law, a credit reporting company can charge up to $12.50 for a credit report.

You also have the right to receive free reports from consumer reporting companies. We've put together a list of several of these companies so you can see which ones might be important to you. You have to request the reports individually from each of these companies. Many of the companies on this list can provide you with a free report every 12 months. Other companies may charge you a fee for the report.

How to request a credit report

You can request and review your free report in one of the following ways:

Online: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com (The site is in English).
By phone: Call (877) 322-8228 < br>By mail: Download and complete the Annual Credit Report Request form (in English). Mail the form:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Advice

Be wary of websites that say they offer free credit reports. Some of these websites give you a free report only if you purchase other products or services. Other websites give you a free report but then bill you for services that you have to cancel. To obtain a free, legally authorized credit report, visit: AnnualCreditReport.com

How to improve credit?

To quickly improve credit, or your credit score, there are several ways, such as debt consolidation, and other tips that a credit counseling company can help you with, such as Debt Freedom USA.