Easiest way to get a really free credit report without having to go through all that online crap - but it'll take longer - is to apply for a credit card which you know in advance that you will not get. In their letter turning down your application, the credit card outfit has to inform you which, sometimes all three, CRAs they pulled in determining their decision. They have to list each agency, their addresses, and phone numbers. Then you write a letter to each: To whom it may concern: ABC Bank (or whoever) turned down my application for one their credit cards. They claim that they based their decision on information from you. By law, I am noe entitled to a free credit report from you Please send me one. yada, yada, yada
Of course, the downside is that you get another inquiry against your credit scores... Or you can just log on to any of the CRA's and just select the option saying that you have been denied credit, even if you haven't. I know that's not the most ethical thing to do, and I'm actually pretty sure it's illegal in some respect, but it is easy, you gotta give me that. I actually did this about 9 months ago on accident. I was at the wrong CRA website and didn't realize it until I submitted the request. Of course, at that point, the report was already downloading...
