Here's a question I get a lot. "Where Can I Get a FREE Copy of my Credit Report?"

If you do an online search, there are a lot of websites out there that say they'll give you a FREE credit report. Remember the commercials with the silly songs sung by a "band" in pirate outfits or whatever?

Yeah, they're not "free." You have to give them your credit card information up front, then you get your "free" credit report, but if you don't cancel it within 30 days, they start billing you for some kind of credit monitoring. And they'll keep billing you until you call them and demand that they stop!

There is one site that will actually give you a FREE Credit Report. www.AnnualCreditReport.com

It's the one I use. You can get a credit report from each of the credit companies, Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, once per year.

My suggestion is instead of getting all 3 reports at the same time, just get one report from each of the companies every 4 months. That way you're basically monitoring your credit report 3 times per year. They have mostly the same information, so you'll still see where you're at credit-wise.

For an actual Credit Score, you'll have to pay extra for that. BUT, if you're going to check your credit score just to see where you're at relative to buying a house, know that mortgage companies have different criteria for getting a mortgage and their credit score will most likely be different than the one you find on this website.

Bottom line: Contact a lender and have them pull your credit score for you. It might cost a few dollars if you don't have any intention of buying a house, but if you do, a lot of them will pull your credit report AND score for FREE.

If you need the name of a mortgage professional to help you out, just let me know.

Eric Michael, Real Estate Professional
Remerica Integrity, Realtors
41000 W. 7 Mile #105
Northville, MI 48167

Cell: 734.564.1519
Fax: 248.912.9996

www.ShortSaleInfoMI.com

www.EricMichaelOnline.com

 
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39 Comments on Where Can I Get a FREE Copy of my Credit Report?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUN
09
2 Featured Posts

I use the same site and recommend it to my clients.  They allow one report per year in California which is enough when you're planning to buy a house.  Thanks for sharing.
10:31pm • #20
344,137 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Eric -

Every state is different. In some states, NO reports are free and in some ONE report is free.  In GEORGIA, each person is entitled to request two free reports each year from the really free location you specified - www.AnnualCreditReport.com. Remember: The "FREE" give you details but usually not scores.

What Cherie Hanagan says (#6) is VERY important!

"The issue with online credit reports is that many of the services don't want to pay for the "FICO" scoring module and develop their own.  When a cosumer pulls their own report and gains a "Plus" or "Vantage" score it will be different from those that lenders pull (usually it's about 40 to 60 points higher than the FICO version)  I usually explain to clients that is similar to celsius and farhenheit - feels the same, just a different number."

What Evelyn Kennedy says (#18) is another detail to consider - many times the reports are different!

Have a happy day -
Lynn
10:38pm • #21
JUN
10
651,924 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great post Eric and great information.  Contact a local lender, that's where it's at.  Way to go on your blog lately.  You are doing a great job!  
5:16am • #22
730,035 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Eric, good information! Many people don't this and can easily be taken in by the free credit report companies.
6:16am • #23
1,911,168 Points 385 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hey, Eric!  I included this post in Last Week's Favorites.  Have a great week.

7:50am • #24
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks for the post Eric!  In addition to AnnualCreditReport.com, the only real and true site for your FICO score is MyFico.com.  There is a fee but the scores are the real deal.
8:59am • #25

Good information, Eric.  I tell my friends to use myfico.com to access their FICO scores when they're looking, because they'll see the same 3 scores I see when I pull their credit, and they won't receive an "inquiry" ding, which reduces their scores.  Provide those 3 FICO scores to the Loan Officer and tell her she does not have permission to pull your credit - she must use those scores when qualifying you.  That's because it's a "soft" pull when consumers request their own scores, but it's a "hard" pull with a Lender.  Then, when they're serious and ready to get pre-approved, shop for their mortgage within a 14 day window, and have the Loan Officer pull your FICO scores.  That's because they'll only receive one inquiry ding when multiple Lenders are pulling their credit during that timeframe.
9:40am • #26
504,525 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Tammy, car scores and mortgage scores are different, as you already know. I've heard the car scores are relatively the same as what we find on our own.

Praful, totally free is better.

Maureen, you're welcome.

Mike, thanks. I tell renters to use it, too.

Joan, this one is.

Donald, that is a catchy song, isn't it?

Evelyn, thanks. I like the staggering idea, too.

Chuck, absolutely! Get your report now and start "cleaning it up."

Eric, that's why I suggested that people stagger their credit pulls from the site. One from each company, every 4 months-ish.

Lynn, that's why Cheri Hanagan is one of my best lenders!

Jared, thanks, pal. I'm having a blast writing these. I'm sure you are, too.

Michael, thanks. People don't know what they don't know, you know?

Pat, that's awesome! Thanks!

Ron, I was writing this as a FREE site for your credit report, not so much credit score. Thanks.

Raymond, like I said to Ron (above), this was for a FREE credit report, not so much the scores. I guess I'll write a report about scores, too.
1:39pm • #27
462,537 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I point my folks in the direction of a lender. It makes sense to start there first.
1:42pm • #28
497,390 Points 150 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Eric:  I appreciate you mentioning the "bottom line" regarding credit reports.  As a mortgage lender, I DO run FREE reports for many during a year.  I do it for a variety of reasons.  Current clients are presently facing credit hardships and challenges, they are facing a legal or medical issue, they are just hoping to make sure that credit errors have not been made.  Someone is starting the home buying process (many times 1 yr out or more), they are referral partners, they are entering the mortgage process ... and the list goes on.  Typically some credit advice and guidance goes along with it.  I know I'm not the only lender that performs this service.  Again, I appreciate that you mentioned that many of us do try to help in this way ...

Gene 
1:45pm • #29
504,525 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Robert, it sure does, unless they're not ready to buy a house yet.

Gene, that's cool. I'm sure I'll take you up on this :)
1:55pm • #30
JUN
11
472,973 Points 12 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Eric, this is great information for all consumers.  I like the idea of staggering the free reports.
6:47am • #31
367,169 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hey Eric,

Great post for all of us consumers.  And Lynn pointed out the differences in Georgia (#21).  Best of success to you this year!
2:10pm • #32
504,525 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sharon, thanks.

Jordon, thank you.

4:56pm • #33
JUN
13

Eric,

I love the idea of ordering one report every 4 months.

That is very smart.

Thanks.

Kevin
12:17pm • #34
JUN
14
504,525 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kevin, thanks. I thought it could help people.
4:37pm • #35
JUL
09
118,080 Points

Doing this every 4 months with one of the reporting companies is my recommendation.  FREE is always good Sandy don't for get to get your Free FICO score at myfico.com
5:11pm • #36
504,525 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Dave, thanks for the agreement, but who's "Sandy?"
5:38pm • #37
JUL
11
475,907 Points 35 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Great and thanks for clearing this up, Eric. I got sucked into one of those where I gave my credit card. I couldn't seem to find the 'real' free site.
4:30pm • #38
873,612 Points Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Eric - Thanks for the detailed information on where to get a free copy of my credit report. I will check the site annualcreditreport.com.
5:43pm • #39

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Eric Michael, Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Livonia, MI

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Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI

Address: 41000 W. 7 Mile, Suite 105, Northville, MI, 48167

Office Phone: (248) 912-9990

Cell Phone: (734) 564-1519

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