How to Get Free Credit Reports Weekly
Check your credit report weekly for free as the three major credit bureaus make a pandemic-era initiative permanent.
The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — will offer a free credit report to consumers each week at AnnualCreditReport.com on a permanent basis, extending a pandemic-era program that was set to expire at the end of 2023.
The new policy follows the bureaus’ move in spring 2020 to provide free weekly reports as the coronavirus pandemic struck the U.S., causing financial hardship for Americans who lost their job or faced a pay cut. Before the recent announcement, the availability of free weekly reports was scheduled to expire at the end of 2023. Typically, a free report is available from each bureau only once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Check each report for errors or signs of fraudulent activity, such as the presence of a credit card or loan that you never opened or a collection account for a debt that you don’t owe. The most effective way to block identity thieves from opening accounts in your name is to put a free security freeze on your report from each bureau. (You can add a freeze at www.transunion.com/freeze, www.experian.com/freeze and www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services.) When a freeze is in place, a creditor cannot access your report in response to an application for new credit, thwarting crooks. If you want to open a credit account, you can temporarily lift the freeze.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Related Content
-
I Met With 100-Plus Advisers to Develop This AI Road MapFor financial advisers eager to embrace AI but unsure where to start, this road map will help you integrate the right tools and safeguards into your work.
-
The Referral Revolution: How to Grow Your Business With TrustYou can attract ideal clients by focusing on value and leveraging your current relationships to create a referral-based practice.
-
This Is How You Can Land a Job You'll Love"Work How You Are Wired" leads job seekers on a journey of self-discovery that could help them snag the job of their dreams.
-
This Is How You Can Land a Job You'll Love
"Work How You Are Wired" leads job seekers on a journey of self-discovery that could help them snag the job of their dreams.
-
We Inherited $250K: I Want a Second Home, but My Wife Wants to Save for Our Kids' College.He wants a vacation home, but she wants a 529 plan for the kids. Who's right? The experts weigh in.
-
4 Psychological Tricks to Save More in 2026Psychology and money are linked. Learn how you can use this to help you save more throughout 2026.
-
Why Your Home Insurance Might Not Protect You If Someone Else Lives ThereLetting a relative stay in a second home or inherited property can quietly change your insurance coverage and leave you exposed to costly liability claims.
-
My First $1 Million: Retired (at 57) Aerospace Senior Manager, 58, Denver"Making $1 million was never a goal, but maybe it should have been. I simply wanted to be debt-free and never worry about money."
-
5 Best Splurge Cruises for Retirees in 2026Embrace smaller, luxury ships for exceptional service, dining and amenities. You'll be glad you left the teeming hordes behind.
-
Have You Aligned Your Tax Strategy With These 5 OBBBA Changes?Individuals and businesses should work closely with their financial advisers to refine tax strategies this season in light of these five OBBBA changes.
-
Pay-As-You-Go vs. Monthly Plans: Which Saves More for Light Phone Users?Light phone users may be paying for data they never use. Here's how pay-as-you-go and low-cost monthly plans really compare.
