Check, freeze and protect your credit
Free weekly credit reports, free credit freezes, and what to do if something looks wrong.
Checked Oct 20, 2026Check your reports for free
All three bureaus let you see your report once a week for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. It's the only official site for free reports, so watch out for look-alike sites. Look for accounts you don't recognize, wrong late payments, and addresses that aren't yours.
Freeze your credit
A freeze stops anyone, including you, from opening new credit in your name. It's free to place and lift, and it doesn't affect your score. Your existing cards keep working. Freeze at all three bureaus, then lift the freeze for a day when you apply for something.
A freeze at one bureau doesn't cover the others. Lenders may check any of them.
Fraud alerts
A fraud alert tells lenders to verify it's really you. An initial alert lasts one year and can be renewed. An extended alert, for identity theft victims, lasts seven years.
Found a mistake?
Dispute it with the bureau that shows it, and with the company that reported it. Keep copies of everything. If someone opened an account in your name, report it at IdentityTheft.gov.