The monthly check-in
How to check your credit reports for free
Free to view online every week, plus one paper copy a year. Looking at your own report does not lower your score.
Your credit reports are the records lenders read. The CFPB says you can view them online for free once a week, and you are also entitled to one free report from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus every 12 months.
Where
The one site authorized by federal law is AnnualCreditReport.com. You can also ask by phone or by mail; the CFPB page lists both. Other sites that advertise "free" reports often sell something alongside them, so type the address yourself.
What to look for
- Accounts you do not recognize.
- A late payment on an account you paid on time.
- A balance or limit that is wrong.
- The same debt listed twice.
- Addresses or employers that are not yours.
How often
A weekly look is allowed and unnecessary. A monthly look, as part of the check-in, catches problems early without turning credit into a hobby. Viewing your own report is not an inquiry that hurts a score.
If something is wrong
See what to do when something looks wrong. The CFPB keeps a list of the consumer reporting companies with their contact details.
Sources
- CFPB: How do I get a free copy of my credit reports? consumerfinance.gov, accessed 2026-10-24
- AnnualCreditReport.com, the free reports site authorized by federal law annualcreditreport.com, accessed 2026-10-24
- CFPB: List of consumer reporting companies consumerfinance.gov, accessed 2026-10-24
How this page was made
Drafted with a language model from the sources above. Jake Lawrence read it against those sources and signed it on October 24, 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Found an error? See Corrections.