TL;DR: In the US, use AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally authorized site for free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
How to Check Your Credit Report for Fraud — a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do and how long it takes.
Step 1: Get your free credit reports
In the US, use AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally authorized site for free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Step 2: Check each bureau's report separately
Since each bureau's report can differ, review all three rather than assuming one covers everything — inconsistencies between them can also be a red flag.
Step 3: Look for accounts and inquiries you don't recognize
Scan for unfamiliar credit accounts, loans, or hard inquiries (requests to check your credit) that you didn't authorize.
Step 4: Check your personal information for accuracy
Confirm your name, address history, and employer information are correct — unfamiliar addresses can indicate someone used your identity to open accounts.
Step 5: Dispute anything suspicious directly with the bureau
If you find a fraudulent account or inquiry, file a dispute directly with the credit bureau reporting it, providing any supporting documentation like a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading How to Claim Money From a Data Breach Settlement.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see How to Create a Strong, Unique Password System.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Get your free credit reports
In the US, use AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally authorized site for free credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Step 2: Check each bureau's report separately
Since each bureau's report can differ, review all three rather than assuming one covers everything — inconsistencies between them can also be a red flag.
Step 3: Look for accounts and inquiries you don't recognize
Scan for unfamiliar credit accounts, loans, or hard inquiries (requests to check your credit) that you didn't authorize.
Step 4: Check your personal information for accuracy
Confirm your name, address history, and employer information are correct — unfamiliar addresses can indicate someone used your identity to open accounts.
Step 5: Dispute anything suspicious directly with the bureau
If you find a fraudulent account or inquiry, file a dispute directly with the credit bureau reporting it, providing any supporting documentation like a police report or FTC Identity Theft Report.