Which of the following statements about free annual credit reports is true?

• A. Consumers may obtain one free report from each nationwide CRA per year, subject to verification
• B. Free reports are available only to victims of identity theft
• C. Free reports require payment
• D. Free reports are available only once per lifetime

Answer: (A)

Free annual credit reports come from the three nationwide credit reporting agencies—equifax, experian, and transunion—and you can obtain one report from each agency every 12 months. That means you can access up to three reports in a year, giving you a broad view of your credit history from all major sources. You don’t have to be a victim of identity theft, and no payment is required to get these reports; verification is simply a step to confirm your identity. This access is distinct from free credit scores, which is a separate offering and not automatically included with the reports. The other statements are incorrect because they imply a fee, or that the reports are available only to identity theft victims, or only once in a lifetime.