Credit reports are a reflection of a person’s financial decisions- failures and successes. There are plenty of reasons to need your credit report. Whether you have been notified of a data breach or need to apply for a loan, our credit counseling advice is to check on your report regularly. If you’re asking, “How can I see my credit report?” we have the answers for you.
How Can I See My Credit Report
Fortunately, this critical financial document is available to everyone free of charge. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act entitles consumers to one free credit report each year from each of the three main credit bureaus.
To view your report, visit AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only website to get your free credit report. Here is a recent snapshot of the website’s home page. As you can see, there is a red button that says “Request your free credit reports.” Click on this button to begin the process.
You may also call 1-877-322-8228 or send a written request to:
Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
So, “How can I see my credit report?” is a simple answer. However, understanding the credit report is another story.
Credit Report Guide
Credit reports are a running history of your finances. As a result, this account makes a big impact on major financial decisions and sometimes employment opportunities. Use this credit report guide- video and sample report- to start understanding all that it contains and how to better manage.
There are six main sections in a credit report.
- Personal Information
- Credit Summary
- Negative Information
- Trades
- Inquiries
- Creditor Contact Information
Depending on your credit history, these sections will vary in length. Use ACCC’s sample credit report to guide you through the six sections. The sample credit report also contains definitions of some challenging terminology found in the report.
Finally, watch this video to take a deeper look into credit reports.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.