How to Get Your Credit Score for Free.

Claim Your Free Credit Score and FICO NumberFor many Americans who are looking into paying for that dream house or that new set of wheels, one of the most important things to consider before filing a loan is their credit report. The truth of the matter is many people are aware that could now get a free credit report. However, only a small number of them know how to obtain one.As opposed to what a lot of people probably think, getting a free credit report is actually a cakewalk. Gone are the days when consumers would have to wait in line or spend hours on the phone before they can get a hold of their credit report. With the technological advantage of Internet, one can gain access to his credit report just by a few keystrokes and mouse clicks. Best of all, these credit reports come for free -- a privilege granted by the US government to every consumer.The accessibility of credit reports is made possible by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT), a bill which was passed on December 4, 2003 by the US Congress. This act, which is sanctioned by the Federal Trade Commission or FTC, allows every consumer to obtain a free credit report once in a period of twelve months. Similarly, the FACT also ensures the privacy and accuracy of the information that the various credit reporting companies hold. Under this act, the FTC, together with the three credit reporting companies namely Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax, have set up a website where people can log on to check out their annual credit scores.According to the FTC, there are three ways a consumer can obtain his credit report. The first one is by visiting the FTC's authorized website, AnnualCreditReport.com, and providing all the information needed to access the credit report. This is generally the fastest way to obtain one's credit report. Consumers have to be cautious, however, of the supposedly free credit reports they see offered on unauthorized websites. More often than not, the services offered on these sites are not entirely for free. Those who want to get credit reports should keep in mind that they can only get them for free from the website FTC provided.Another way to obtain free credit report is by calling the toll-free number provided by the FTC and the three leading credit reporting companies. However, FTC warns consumers not to contact the three credit reporting companies individually. This might be caused by the fact that the credit reports obtained by individually contacting the three major credit reporting companies come with a fee.Apart from a toll-free number, consumers who want to get a free credit report can do so by filling out an Annual Credit Report Request Form, which can be printed from FTC's website. Some of the information that a consumer may be required to provide in the form include his name, Social Security number, address, and birth date. After completing the form, the consumer may send it to the Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.The good thing about obtaining a free credit report from FTC is that they provide information on how a person can fix any inaccuracy he may have encountered in his report. Aside from being free, the credit report acquired from FTC is usually accurate and up to date. Those who want detailed information on how they can obtain free credit reports can check out the FTC's official website.