You can get a free copy of your credit report from one of the three major credit reporting companies (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) by going to AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only site that is endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission and the three major credit bureaus. You are entitled, by law, to get one copy from each bureau, every 12 months. Essentially, this means that you can check your credit report every four months.

The three credit companies will only provide your credit report, and not your credit score. You can obtain this report via the AnnualCreditReport.com Web site, or via their telephone number or postal mail. Telephone or postal mail orders will take up to 15 days to process. Orders made online will be available immediately for viewing and printing out. You will be asked to provide your state, full name, date of birth, social security number, full address and a previous address (if you have not lived in your current residence for at least two years). You will also be asked a security question, such as information about a current loan or former address. Note that credit files are generally not maintained for children under 13. If you suspect fraudulent activity for a minor, you will need to contact each of the three bureaus and law enforcement.

You may also request credit reports from all three of the bureaus at once, instead of spacing them out. Occasionally one credit bureau may have different or conflicting information than the other two. In order to get the best deal when applying for a major purchase, such as a car or home, buyers should make sure their credit history and credit score is accurate, in order to get the best deal.