Credit Reports

Aug 30, 2023

How to Get Them

“Free Credit Report” offers – Are they really free?

Many offers come with some strings attached. There are plenty of “Free Credit Report” offers on the Internet these days, and you wonder why. You are probably asking yourself, “Isn’t there any catch to this offer?” The answer is YES. You should be aware that most “Free Credit Report” offers come with a price; it usually means “Free” with the purchase of something else. Or, it might mean free during a Credit Monitoring trial period. Which ever the case may be, these “Free” options can sometimes end up costing you $50 plus if you are not careful. The “Free” aspect of this offer is that you have the option of canceling your subscription over a specified trial period for a full refund. You should, however, cancel the subscription before it is billed to your credit card–usually 30 days from the purchase date. Make sure your read the fine print: find any information that explains why the report is free. Read the service agreement before placing your order: all companies should list a service agreement that you must accept prior to submitting your order, and there is often times valuable information that you should know.

How to get a no-strings-attached FREE credit report

Credit bureaus are bound by the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide you with a free credit report if you meet these specific requirements:

  • You have been denied credit, insurance, or employment within the past sixty (60) days as a result of your credit report. (It is the responsibility of the company that denied you credit or employment to indicate which credit reporting company was used, and the phone number and address for getting the free report. Free reports may not available over the Internet.)
  • You can certify in writing that you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment in the 60-day period beginning on the date in which you made the certification.
  • You are a recipient of public welfare assistance or have reason to believe that your file at the agency contains inaccurate information due to fraud.
  • As a resident of certain states you have a right to a free copy of your credit report:

    If you are a resident of Colorado, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, or Vermont, you may receive one free copy of your credit report each year from the each of the credit bureaus. If you are a resident of Georgia, you may receive two free copies of your credit report each year from the credit bureaus. If you meet the above conditions, you can order a Free copy of your Credit Report by contacting them by mail or phone:

    • Experian
      Mail: P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013
      Phone: (888) Experian (888-397-3742)
    • Equifax
      Mail: PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374
      Phone (800) 685-1111
    • TransUnion
      Mail: 2 Baldwin Place, PO Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
      Phone: (800) 888-4213


When you call for a free report, be sure to have the following information about yourself ready …

  • First, middle and last name (including Jr., Sr., III)
  • Current address
  • Previous addresses in the past two years, if any
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of birth
  • Current employer
  • Phone number


Online Credit Reports

What to do if you do not meet the above requirements? There are a variety of inexpensive online Credit Report Services that you can choose from. Here are some of the benefits that you will receive:

  • Online access at the time of purchase
  • Your credit score is also available online
  • Overall better service and experience.


You can order your credit report from any of the following credit service companies or directly from the credit bureaus. When you order your report, have ready your Social Security number,date of birth, current and previous addresses for the past five years, and maiden name, if applicable. Many credit service companies offer a free credit report when your sign up for their credit monitoring service. With today’s technology, credit reports can be obtained easily on the internet. If you haven’t seen your credit report lately, get a 3-in-1 merged credit report from all three major credit reporting agencies — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each of the three national credit reporting agencies are independent of each other. Therefore what is on one report may or may not be on another. There are a variety of companies that will offer you a credit report online. Some credit reports are easier to read; some are more convenient given your particular situation while others have additional features that you might find valuable. In the end, however, all will provide you with the data you’ll need to be an informed consumer. You’d better check their sample report before you order. You can get your merged or individual report from one of the following credit service companies.

Request your Credit Report from the following services:

  • TrueCredit.com
    They offer 3-in-1 credit report which includes all three credit reports from major credit bureaus: the most comprehensive picture of your credit history
  • Experian.com
    They offer a free copy of Experian Consumer Credit Report when you sign up for their Credit Check Monitoring Service.
  • https://creditxpert.com/ 
    When you sign up for the Credit Manager premium service, you’ll get unlimited access to your Experian credit report. 3-Bureau Credit Report is also available.