Free Paper Credit Reports?

[dave.madd]

It was suggested to me that I check my credit annually for free, and also suggested to me that I should receive paper copies of my reports rather than the online version. I believe the paper copies cost money. Does anyone know if there is a way to obtain a free paper copy of a credit report in the mail, once each year?

[disneysteve]

It was suggested to me that I check my credit annually for free, and also suggested to me that I should receive paper copies of my reports rather than the online version. I believe the paper copies cost money. Does anyone know if there is a way to obtain a free paper copy of a credit report in the mail, once each year?

Welcome to the site.

You can print out the report you get online. I'm not sure what other paper copy you would need. Who told you that you needed a paper copy?

[Thrif-t]

Yes, you can get a paper copy free.

I usually call from my home phone because sometimes I have trouble with all the dang identity questions when I'm doing it online. They mail my reports to me for free.

edit to provide link with more info and phone number at bottom of article https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/article...ng-your-credit

[disneysteve]

Yes, you can get a paper copy free.

What advantage, if any, is there to getting a paper copy sent to you instead of (or in addition to) the online version? Are they different?

[Thrif-t]

disneysteve Exact same report as you get online!

It's just that sometimes if you can't answer the identity questions correctly online you can't get one. They tell you to send in all kinds of documentation. I just find it easier to call as I've had the same home phone number for 26 years and it registers so I don't have to go through all those identity questions.

[disneysteve]

disneysteve Exact same report as you get online!

That's what I figured. OP said someone told him to get the paper one instead of the online one. I can't think of any reason that would make sense.