While it’s easy to get a free credit report, there are a few advanced techniques that RateNerd readers use to stay on top of their credit report for free.

These include the “Free Trial” approach and the “Staggered Bureau” approach, both of which can be used together or by themselves.

“Free Trial”Approach  - Free Credit Reports and Credit Scores from ConsumerInfo.com

To get all three credit reports and credit scores for free, you need to go to ConsumerInfo.com. Unlike the annual credit score service, they provide all three credit bureau reports plus credit scores (FICO, BEACON and Emperica) for free. The service is free if you take advantage of their trial period offer. When you order your free report here, you will begin your free trial membership in CreditCheck® Total. Because it’s a free trial, you have the right to cancel your membership within the first seven days. If you don’t cancel your membership within the seven day trial period, you will be billed $19.95 for each month that you continue your membership.

In addition to the credit reports and scores, this service gives you ongoing credit monitoring alerts which help you to keep your credit reports accurate.

“Staggered Bureau” – Free Credit Reports Only (no credit score) at Annualcreditreport.com

AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized service for consumers to request free annual credit reports. It was created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.  AnnualCreditReport.com lets you request and obtain a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies in accordance with the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act).

While you are entitled to receive one annual free credit report without a credit card every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies through AnnualCreditReport.com, it is entirely your choice whether you order all three credit reports at the same time or order one now and others later. The advantage of ordering all three at the same time is that you can compare them. (However, you will not be eligible for another free credit report from the AnnualCreditReport.com for 12 months.) On the other hand, the advantage of ordering one now and others later (for example, one credit report every four months, thus staggering the delivery of reports from each bureau) is that you can keep track of any changes or new information that may appear on your credit report. Remember, you are entitled to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – so if you order from only one company today you can still order from the other two companies at a later date.

You may request your free credit report online, by phone or request your report through the mail. Free credit reports requested online are viewable immediately upon authentication of identity. Free credit reports requested by phone or mail will be processed within 15 days of receiving your request. The downside of this approach is that you do not get to see your score, and you can only see the report once a year for free.

Triple Advantage Free Credit Check

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