The easiest way to get a free credit report is via the Web. However, you can’t get it from the individual credit agency websites; you must go to the official website set up by the three agencies.

1. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only website authorized to give out annual free credit reports.
2. In the window in the middle of the page, where it says “Start Here”, select your state from the pull-down menu.
3. Click the “Request Report” button.
4. On the page that appears, type out your personal information.
* If you have lived at your current address for less than two years, you will need to give your previous address as well.
5. At the bottom of the page, click the “Continue” button. You do not have to purchase any offered services to get your free credit report.

6. The next page will let you choose which companies you would like to get a credit report from. Select all 3 companies, and click “Next”.
* Each company will give you a free report only once every 12 months.
7. The companies you’ve selected may ask you detailed financial information in order to identify you. Make sure to have your financial records on hand!
8. The companies will often give you the option of adding more services for a fee. They’re just trying to make money off you. You are not required to add these services. Just click on NO THANKS.
9. Click “Accept” to accept their service agreement.
10. You will now be able to view and print out your credit report. (The reports may be lengthy, I normally use CutePDF to print them to PDF and save them on my computer.)
11. When you are done with one credit agency, start on the next by clicking on the top where it says “Return to AnnualCreditReport.com, you can then continue with the other agencies.

12. If you are going to get the report for someone else, make sure you restart your browser to clear your session or you may get the reports that you just saw.