How to Check Your Credit Report — And What to Look For

When was the last time you checked your credit report? Thanks to federal law, it’s free and easy — and doing it regularly can help you catch errors, spot fraud, and protect your identity before problems escalate.

You Have the Right to Access Your Report

Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), you’re entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus:

• Equifax

• Experian

• TransUnion

You can access them at the official site - AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the ONLY site authorized by federal law to provide free credit reports. Be wary of lookalike sites asking for payments or harvesting your personal data so they can steal your identity.

Weekly Reports Now Available

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all three credit bureaus began offering free weekly credit reports online — and as of 2023, that benefit has been extended indefinitely.

So yes — you can now check your credit report every week for free.

What to Look For in Your Report

Here’s a simple checklist to help you review your report thoroughly:

1. Personal Information

   Make sure your full name, current and past addresses, and Social Security number (last 4 digits) are all CORRECT.

   Red Flag: Names or addresses you don’t recognize

2. Credit Accounts (Trade Lines)

   Review open and closed credit cards, loans, and mortgages.

   1. Are the balances and credit limits accurate?

   2. Are any accounts listed as “charged off” or “late”?

   3. Are there accounts you don’t recognize?

   Red Flag: Unknown accounts could indicate fraud.

3. Inquiries

   See who has checked your credit:

   1. Hard inquiries affect your score (like loan applications)

   2. Soft inquiries don’t affect your score (like checking your own credit)

   Red Flag: Hard inquiries you didn’t authorize.

4. Public Records

   These are rare now, but still check for:

   1. Bankruptcies

   2. Tax liens

   3. Legal judgments

   Red Flag: Negative records that should have expired (7–10 years).

5. Collections

   If you’ve had unpaid debts sent to collections:

   1. Verify the balance and the original creditor

   2. Even if paid, make sure it’s listed as “settled” or “paid”

   Red Flag: Collections you don’t recognize or that are outdated.

Tip: Your Credit Score Isn’t Included

Your report doesn’t include your credit score unless you pay for it or access it through another tool. But reviewing your report regularly helps you understand why your score may rise or fall.

Downloadable Review Checklist

CRE Personal Credit Report Review Checklist.pdf

Download PDF • 61KB

Our Final Thought

Your credit report is more than a financial record — it’s a snapshot of your identity. Reviewing it regularly helps protect you from fraud, fix errors, and stay in control of your financial reputation.