The three nationwide credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion have set up one central website, toll-free telephone number and mailing address for ordering your free annual report.

To order, click on www.annualcreditreport.com, call 877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to:

Annual Credit Report Request Service,
P.O. Box 105281,
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

The form can be printed from www.ftc.gov/credit. 

You may order your reports from each of the three companies at the same time, or you can order from only one or two. You are allowed to order one free copy from each of the companies every 12 months.

It is recommended to stagger your requests during a 12-month period to keep a pulse on the accuracy and completeness of the information in your reports.  Periodic monitoring your credit report is also a good way of finding out whether you have been the victim of identity theft.