You have a legal right to see your credit report for free. The three main US credit reference agencies — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — are each legally required to provide a statutory credit report at no cost. Many people never check their credit report and discover errors or fraud only when they are declined for credit.
How to access your credit report for free
- Experian: Free credit report via experian.com. Free credit score with an Experian account.
- Equifax: Free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Free ongoing score via myEquifax.
- TransUnion: Free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Free ongoing score via Credit Karma.
- All three bureaus: Request free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com — now available weekly at no cost.
What to look for when checking your credit report
- Personal information: name, date of birth, current and previous addresses — errors here can affect verification
- Electoral roll registration: check you are registered at your current address
- Credit accounts: all open and closed credit accounts with balances and payment history
- Payment status: any late or missed payments recorded
- Defaults: accounts formally defaulted — check dates and amounts are correct
- County Court Judgements: check the Register of Judgements for any CCJs against you
- Linked finances: any financial associations with other people (joint accounts, joint mortgages)
- Searches: hard searches from credit applications — check you recognize them all
- Fraud indicators: accounts or applications you do not recognize may indicate identity fraud
How to dispute errors
If you find an error on your credit report — wrong payment status, an account that is not yours, an incorrect address — contact the credit reference agency directly. You can do this online through their website. The CRA must investigate and respond within 28 days. If they do not correct a genuine error, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Information Commissioner's Office.
How often should you check
Checking once a quarter catches most errors and fraudulent activity before they cause serious harm. If you are planning a significant credit application (mortgage, car finance) in the next six to twelve months, check all three agencies and allow time to dispute any errors before applying.
General guidance only — not regulated financial advice.