How to Check Your Credit Report for Free (the Official Way)

Businesses use your credit report to decide on loans, insurance, renting you a home, and sometimes even jobs. You can check yours for free. Here's the official way, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

1. Step 1: The Only Official Site

Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. Type it in yourself. The FTC says it's the only website authorized to give out the free reports. You can also order by phone, at 1-877-322-8228.

2. Watch For Lookalikes

Some sites pretend to be the official one, or say they're free and then try to sell you something. And don't click links in surprise emails or texts that claim to be from the credit bureaus.

3. Step 2: Get All Three

There are three credit bureaus. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each one has its own report, and they can be different, so look at all three. You can check each one for free, once a week.

4. Step 3: What To Look For

Make sure your name, addresses, and accounts are right. Look for accounts you never opened, or late payments that aren't yours. Mistakes can be a sign of identity theft.