How Often Should You Check Your Credit Report?

Bottom line: The FTC says to check your credit report at least once a year, and before you apply for credit, a loan, insurance, housing, or a job. Because Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion now let you check each report for free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com, a regular routine, like once a month, is easy to keep. This applies to anyone with a credit history in the U.S.

After more than 10 years in the credit industry, my answer is simple: check more often than you think you need to. It's free, and it's the only way to catch a mistake before it catches you.

How often can you get your credit reports for free?

You can get your credit report from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus for free once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com. The FTC says Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion have permanently extended this weekly program (FTC).

That's in addition to your legal right to a free report from each bureau once every 12 months (FTC). The weekly program started in 2020 and is now permanent (FTC consumer alert).

How often should you check your credit report?

The FTC says it's important to check your credit report at least once a year (FTC). That's the minimum.

My suggestion: since weekly reports are free, check once a month. Pick the same day each month, look at all three reports, and compare them to last month.

When should you check your credit report right away?

Some moments call for checking your credit report right away instead of waiting for your routine:

• Before a big application. The FTC says to check before you apply for credit, a loan, insurance, housing, or a job (FTC). That gives you time to dispute an error first. (Coming soon: What to Check on Your Credit Report Before a Big Application.)
• After you're denied. If you get an adverse action notice based on your credit report, you can get another free report from that bureau. You must ask within 60 days of the notice (FTC).
• If you suspect identity theft or your data was exposed. The FTC says mistakes on your report might be a sign of identity theft (FTC). See what to do if an account on your credit report isn't yours.
• After a dispute. The FTC suggests reviewing your report to confirm that inaccurate information was removed, or that a dispute notice was added if the business keeps reporting it (FTC).

Do you need to check all three credit reports?

Yes. The FTC says each credit bureau may get its information from different sources, so one report might not match the other two. Reviewing each one is how you keep an eye on accuracy (FTC).

Where is the safe place to get your free credit reports?

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only website authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit reports you're entitled to by law (FTC). You can also call 1-877-322-8228.

The FTC warns that other sites pretend to be connected to AnnualCreditReport.com, or use misspelled web addresses. It also says AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus won't email you asking for your Social Security number or account information (FTC).

(Coming soon: Fake "Free Credit Report" Sites: How to Spot Them.)

What should you look for each time you check?

Each time you check your credit report, look for anything new, anything you don't recognize, and anything that doesn't match your records. A quick monthly scan:

1. New accounts: Did you open them?
2. New inquiries: Do you recognize the companies?
3. Personal info: Any new addresses or names that aren't yours?
4. Balances and limits: Do they match your latest statements?
5. Payment history: Any new late marks you don't agree with?
6. Collections: Anything new, or any debt listed twice?

For a full walkthrough, see How to Read Your Credit Report, Section by Section and the most common credit report errors.

What Dispute Nerds does and what you do

Dispute Nerds is AI-powered credit dispute software. Here's how the work splits:

Findings are free. Your credit report comes from our monitoring partner and is billed separately.

• The AI analyzes your credit report and flags items that may be inaccurate or incomplete.
• You review the findings and decide what, if anything, to dispute.
• You sign and send your own disputes.

Dispute Nerds never files disputes for you. With Dispute Nerds, your credit report comes from our monitoring partner and is billed separately. That's separate from the free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, which you can always use.

FAQ

How often can I get a free credit report?

Once a week from each of Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com. You're also entitled by law to a free report from each bureau every 12 months.

Is once a year enough?

The FTC says at least once a year is important. Since weekly reports are free, checking more often, like monthly, can help you spot problems sooner.

Is AnnualCreditReport.com legit?

Yes. The FTC says it's the only website authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit reports you're entitled to by law. Watch out for look-alike sites.

Can I get a free report if I was denied credit?

Yes. If you get an adverse action notice based on your credit report, you can ask that bureau for a free report within 60 days of the notice.

Should I check before applying for a loan or apartment?

Yes. The FTC says to check before you apply for credit, a loan, insurance, housing, or a job. That leaves time to dispute any errors first.

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Sources

• Federal Trade Commission, "Free Credit Reports": https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports
• Federal Trade Commission, "You now have permanent access to free weekly credit reports": https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/you-now-have-permanent-access-free-weekly-credit-reports
• Federal Trade Commission, "Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports": https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-errors-your-credit-reports
• AnnualCreditReport.com: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

Last updated: October 15, 2026