-this is the only totally free site, do NOT be fooled by others
Only one website is authorized to fill orders for the free annual credit report you are entitled to under law.  Other websites that claim to offer “free credit reports,” “free credit scores,” or “free credit monitoring” are not part of the legally mandated free annual credit report program. In some cases, the “free” product comes with strings attached. For example, some sites sign you up for a supposedly “free” service that converts to one you have to pay for after a trial period. If you don’t cancel during the trial period, you may be unwittingly agreeing to let the company start charging fees to your credit card.

Some “imposter” sites use terms like “free report” in their names; others have URLs that purposely misspell the real sites name in the hope that you will mistype the name of the official site. Some of these “imposter” sites direct you to other sites that try to sell you something or collect your personal information.


Just a reminder that the amended FCRA under FACTA - (Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions ACT) allows you to get free annual reports. FREE CREDIT REPORTS  (this free report does NOT come with scores)

To get the reports, you must answer 3 multiple choice test questions about your accounts, account numbers and/or addresses. If the online site does not work, you can still send a written request for a free report ro call each of the bureaus themselves.

If you are looking to dispute your credit report, the easiest way is to do this online. Each bureau allows online disputes. I recently did mine and it was very simple.

Online, you may request investigation of the following items bankruptcies , collection accounts, credit accounts, judgments, liens , garnishments

There are many reasons to dispute, remember it is YOUR RIGHT TO DISPUTE EVEN IF THE REPORT IS ACCURATE !! Make them verify it and if they can't it MUST BE REMOVED !

Generally each bureau when disputing onlne has a drop down list of choices for reasons for dispute. I disputed all of my negatives as -this item doesn't belong to me and for example, 3 of the 5 on my one report were removed. There are other things you can dispute for:
This item does not belong to me
I have never paid this account late
This account is closed
This is a fraudulent account
Fraudulent charges made on this account

When you examine your own credit file that is considered a soft pull. If someone else does a soft pull, it only contains your "credit header" information; name, address, SSN, DOB, employer, previous addresses. financial transactions and account information is excluded.

A soft pull is often done to verify identity or for promotional offers. Anyone with "persmissible purpose" can run a soft pull; if you apply for credit, have an existing account or financial relationship with an individual or business.
If you don't want your information shared for promotional offiers, you must opt out.
1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688)

Are you sure it was only a soft pull? I would write them a certified letter inquiring how they had "permissible purpose" under the Fair Credit Reporting Act - Section - § 604. Permissible purposes of consumer reports [15 U.S.C. § 1681b]


If you are just starting credit repair, you must start with the basics. This is a very simple break down of the steps you need to take in the beginning.

1. Order reports directly from ALL 3 CRAs - If you cannot afford to purchase them you can get your free annual report. *Please keep in mind that disputing with a free annual report gives the CRA more time (45 days). It is not wise to dispute with these because it will lessen your chance for a deletion.

2. Opt out..find out more about OPT-OUT options and why you should at EconomyExchanges.com

3. Update/Delete any personal info with the CRAs *Have as much as possible removed. It would be ideal to only have your current address. No variations of name, addresses or socials. No need for employment information or phone numbers. It is not necessary.

4. Wait until 2 & 3 take effect (give opting out about a week) and READ in the meantime. *Read up on your state laws, the FCRA, FDCPA and the FCBA

5. Triage your reports. *Go to The Economy Exchanges site and find out the SOL for your state. Figure out which accts are out of SOL and start with those. You determine if the acct is out of SOL by the DOFD (date of first delinquency). Please be aware that disputing any accts that are still within SOL could possibly wake up a sleeping giant and you can be sued. So proceed with caution and make sure you understand what you are doing first.

6. Dispute with CRAs *You can do a blanket dispute (dispute everything). Some have luck with this. OR just dispute 3-4 at a time.
Whatever you decide, you must wait until the investigation is over before disputing any more (30+5 days for regular report disputes/45+5 days for disputing with the free reports)

7. Now you WAIT..........and READ. 

CAN YOU DELETE NEGATIVES OFF YOUR CREDIT REPORT? THOUSANDS DO IT EVERY DAY !

At Economy Exchanges you will find out where you can get a FREE copy of all the reports that do include Chexsystems, EWS, Experian, Equifax, Transunion, Lexis Nexis, MIB, and more

The difference between a soft credit pull and hard credit pull is drastic. When you or someone else makes an inquiry on your credit report, did you know that the inquiry itself may have a negative impact on your credit score? Not all inquiries are treated equal.
An inquiry occurs when someone examines your credit history and credit score. While a hard inquiry will hurt your credit score, a soft inquiry will not.

A soft pull describes an inquiry that does not affect your credit score. Soft pulls frequently occur and often times you may not even be aware of it happening. Each soft pull is noted on your credit history file but they are only for you to see and are not available for lenders to view. Examples of soft credit pulls include, credit report and score checks that you request yourself, initial credit checks by credit card companies that want to solicit you for a pre-approved credit card, initial credit checks by mortgage companies to pre-approve you for a loan, credit background checks by a potential employer, and periodic credit checks by your insurance or credit card company to keep tabs on you.

A hard pull or hard credit inquiry is very different and does negatively affect your credit score. When you give permission for a lender to check your credit history for the purpose of extending credit to you, the lender will make a hard pull. A hard inquiry is almost always voluntary and is noted on your credit history file by all three credit bureaus for other lenders to see. Hard pull inquiries stay on your credit report for 1-2 years and each hard inquiry can cause a 5 point drop in your credit score for about six months. Examples of hard credit pulls that will affect your credit score include, applications for a new credit card, requests to activate a pre-approved credit card offer, your request to activate the pre-approved card, the lender will take a much deeper look into your history and hit you with a hard pull inquiry, activations of new cell phone contracts, opening a new bank account at some banks and credit unions. Many banks and credit unions will do a hard credit pull now when you open a new account with them.

You will never hurt your credit score by requesting your own credit history file. But whenever a lender is preparing to extend you credit, they will likely run a hard credit check. Because each hard credit pull hurts your credit score, it is best to keep them to a minimum. Too many hard inquiries will signal to potential lenders that you’ve been seeking loans and lenders may consider you a poor credit risk. If you’re not sure, always ask the bank or lender what type of credit inquiry they will be making on your credit report and whether it will be a soft pull or a hard pull inquiry.