A move, separation, new job, or other major life change can leave you wondering whether your credit file still reflects your situation. A report review can help you spot unfamiliar accounts, incorrect personal details, or payment information that needs attention. The process is manageable: start with official sources, compare the reports you receive, and keep a record of anything you dispute.

Start with the official free report sources

You can get a free credit report from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Online access through AnnualCreditReport.com is free once a week. You can request reports from one, two, or all three companies. Since their files can contain different information, checking all three gives you a broader view.

You are also entitled to one free report from each company every 12 months. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains how to request them. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only website authorized by the federal government to provide these free annual reports from the three nationwide companies. Other sites may tie a “free” report to buying a service, or later charge for a service you have to cancel.

If you would rather not request reports online, you can call (877) 322-8228. The TTY number is 1-800-821-7232. You can also mail the request form to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Whichever route you use, keep a note of the date and which companies’ reports you requested.

Three printed report pages laid side by side on a wooden kitchen table, with a pair of hands resting on one page beside a pen and a mug in soft daylight.
A person reviewing credit report pages at a desk, comparing personal details and account entries across three reports.

Look beyond the three nationwide companies

Other consumer reporting companies collect information in specific areas. Some focus on rental housing, insurance, employment, or other services. A major change can make one of these files relevant. For example, after moving, you might want to see whether a rental-related file contains information about you. A job or insurance change may make a different specialty report worth checking.

The CFPB maintains a list of consumer reporting companies and information about requesting reports. Specialty companies generally need to be contacted individually, and most provide reports for free. You do not necessarily need to request every report on the list. Think about which areas connect to the change in your life, then record which companies you contacted and when.

These files can matter outside of borrowing. Lenders, potential employers, insurers, and rental property owners may use consumer report information. Checking the relevant files can help you notice an error in a place you might not have thought to look.

Know what a report shows, and what it does not

A credit report typically includes information such as payment history, loans, current debt, and certain public records. In most cases, it does not include your credit score. A report review is therefore a check of the information in your file, not a score check. USAGov’s overview of credit reports explains what reports are and how to get them.

Read each report carefully, rather than assuming the three will match. Look for an account you do not recognize, an inquiry you did not authorize, a misspelled or unfamiliar name, or an address that is wrong. Check payment dates and account details too. A date recorded incorrectly can make a payment history look different from what you expect.

A major life change may prompt questions about names, addresses, or accounts connected to another person. The official sources covered here do not explain exactly how to add or remove a former spouse’s name, handle a name change, or make a report update after a move, job change, or death in the family. Do not assume that one change automatically updates every report. Check the reports and consult current guidance from the relevant reporting company or a government resource for a situation-specific answer.

Dispute errors with a paper trail

If something is wrong, gather documents that support what you believe is accurate. Then send a dispute letter to the credit reporting company showing the error and to the company that supplied the information. That second company might be a business that furnished account details. The USAGov guide to disputing credit report errors describes this process.

Keep copies of your letter and supporting documents, along with the dates you sent them. If you use a delivery method that gives you confirmation, save that record as well. A simple log can make it easier to explain what happened if you need to follow up. The sources cited here do not specify how long every dispute may take or how to check its status, so consult the company’s current instructions for those details.

If a written dispute to a credit reporting company does not correct the error, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB. If a bureau denies your request for a free report, contact that bureau first. If the problem remains unresolved, the CFPB is another place to turn. If an account appears that you did not open, it may be a sign of identity theft. Use official guidance from USAGov and the relevant reporting companies to decide what steps to take.

Finish with a short review checklist

Before you set the reports aside, make sure you can answer a few basic questions. Which of the three nationwide companies have you checked? Are there specialty reports that fit your situation? Do the personal details and account entries look familiar? Is there an account or inquiry you did not open or authorize?

Also note what remains uncertain. The sources do not spell out how quickly new information appears, how to add or remove a name or account tied to a former partner, or how to place or lift a credit freeze or fraud alert. Those procedures can depend on the issue and the organization involved. For current instructions, check official CFPB, FTC, or USAGov resources rather than relying on an unfamiliar site offering a “free” report.

A report review does not settle every question created by a major life change, but it gives you a concrete starting point. Request the records from trusted sources, compare the details, and keep your notes and copies together if you need to dispute an error.

Please seek a professional. This article is general information, not financial, tax or insurance advice. Please seek a licensed financial, tax or insurance professional about your own situation.