Free Credit Reports Under Law
Under The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers have a right to a free credit report on themselves only in certain circumstances. The most common circumstance is when you have been denied for credit in the last 60 days based on information in your credit report. If you have been denied credit in your state, you can obtain a free credit report.
You are entitled to a free credit report if you have been denied credit in any of the 50 States: |
| Alabama |
Louisiana |
Ohio |
| Alaska |
Maine |
Oklahoma |
| Arizona |
Maryland |
Oregon |
| Arkansas |
Massachusetts |
Pennsylvania |
| California |
Michigan |
Rhode Island |
| Colorado |
Minnesota |
South Carolina |
| Connecticut |
Mississippi |
South Dakota |
| Delaware |
Missouri |
Tennessee |
| Florida |
Montana |
Texas |
| Georgia |
Nebraska |
Utah |
| Hawaii |
Nevada |
Vermont |
| Idaho |
New Hampshire |
Virginia |
| Illinois |
New Jersey |
Washington |
| Indiana |
New Mexico |
West Virginia |
| Iowa |
New York |
Wisconsin |
| Kansas |
North Carolina |
Wyoming |
| Kentucky |
North Dakota |
|
Generally, your free credit report would be provided by the credit reporting agency who provided the report to the lender who denied you.
More information on the FCRA is on our page the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The complete text of the FCRA is on the website of the Federal Trade Commission at FCRA Law. Section 612 (b) of the FCRA covers "free credit reports".
Free credit reports are also available under State Law to residents of 6 states:
Free Credit Reports are available to residents of these six states: |
| Colorado |
| Georgia |
| Maryland |
| Massachusetts |
| New Jersey |
| Vermont |
Consult your state law for specific information and requirements. Generally, you would contact each of the 3 national credit bureaus directly to obtain a free credit report in the 6 states listed. Many consumers of these states can use this law to their advantage to check their yearly credit and look for inaccuracies.
Free Instant Credit Reports On the Internet
On the Internet, free instant credit reports are often advertised. The free instant credit report is normally only available after you subscribe to a Credit Monitoring Service. Also, the free credit report will only include credit information from one of the three national credit bureaus.
Some advice when choosing your free online credit report service:
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Before signing up for such services, we advise you to carefully read all the details of the "free" offer including the monthly and yearly charges. Determine when your card will be charged. Determine how you cancel, just in case you are not satisfied with the service.
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If you know which credit bureau report you want, make sure the free credit report is from that credit bureau.
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If you want a credit score, does the free credit report include one?
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Check if a sample report is available. Review it to make sure the free online credit report provides what you need. For example, sometimes you expect to get creditor addresses with your credit report but not all services provide such addresses.
- What other services are offered? Unlimited access? ID Fraud protection? Marketing Lists Opt-Out information?
Order a Free Online Credit Report Now if you just want to check your credit report from one of the three national credit bureaus (Equifax). Our Free Credit Report offer also includes a trial subscription to a credit report monitoring service that can be cancelled during the first 30 days without further obligation.
For more information on our site about credit reporting issues, see: credit scores, improving or fixing your credit , credit repair and credit counseling.
For some other free services we do offer visitors to our web site, check out our Financial Links page.
There you will find forms and information on how to remove your name from the mailing and phone lists of the Direct Marketing Association, and how to opt-out of credit bureau list sales. |
