The Fair Credit and Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the 3 credit reporting agencies to provide everyone ONE free credit report every 12 months. As stated by the Federal Trade Commission, the only website you can go to access this free credit report is at annualcreditreport.com. This is absolutely the only site that is part of this program. But there is one drawback, this site only provides you a credit report/history, and not your credit score. You have to pay extra for the score.

Don’t fret, there are some other ways to get to get a free credit report and score. Many of the websites that offer credit reports have 30 day free trials. For instance, about a year ago I used freecreditreport.com, part of Experian. I ordered my credit report and score, checked it online, took notes, then called in a canceled within 4 hours of ordering the service. I was never charged a thing. Also, at one point, and I believe they still are now, American Express was offering a 30 day free trial to its card holders to receive credit reports and scores. Just login into your americanexpress.com account, and under other services sign up for the credit report/score program. Assuming you cancel the program within 30 days you will not have to pay a dime, and you will get your credit report and score from all 3 bureaus.

Another way you can sometimes get a free credit score is from your bank. Many banks use their own version of your credit score, some call it a soft score, meaning it is their own proprietary formula/score. I do know Bank of America uses this and it is factored into credit card application and mortgages with them. If you are nice to one of the branch employees, they will often share with you your soft score. While this is not your actual credit score, it will give you a very good idea of what your score is.

Also, if you meet one of these requirements you are eligable for a free credit report.

1) Denied credit, insurance, or a job due to information on your credit report. A notice stating which credit bureau supplied the report should be included in your letter of denial. You then have 60 days to request a free copy of your report from them.
2) Unemployed. You are entitled to one free report a year if you are unemployed and anticipate looking for a job within 60 days.
3) On welfare
4) Believe you are a victim of identity theft. Maybe you recently found a suspicious transaction, or lost your wallet. Place a fraud alert on your file and then ask for a free copy of your credit report.