Free Credit Report - Step by Step Instructions for getting one
You don't have to sign up for a trial membership of a credit protection service to do get free credit reports. There is a one-stop website where you can order credit reports from all three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union. It's easy. This site is recommended by Consumer Credit Counseling Service. When you get to the site, look for the START HERE box. Choose your state, then click on "request report". When you enter your info, you will be asked to check which credit reports you wish to order. Check all three. You will be sent to each bureau's web-site. 
Step 1 on the Experian site will offer to sell you your Experian credit score for $5.95. Each bureau assigns a score, but their scores do not represent your FICO score. The FICO score is the one that most creditors use and you must pay to get it - $15.95. I don't recommend buying your credit score from anyone other than FICO. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "No thanks, I just want my free annual credit report." You will cruise through the steps pretty quickly. The only time you might have a problem is if you don't answer the identification verification questions correctly. If you answer incorrectly you will be given a toll-free number to call so your i.d. can be verified manually. Once you are done on the Experian site, return to the annual credit report site and continue with the other credit bureaus. All the sites will walk you through the same process offering to sell you their products along the way. The products are fine, just remember, your goal is to get free credit reports. Follow the prompts and you will instantly get your three credit reports free of charge.
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