The FCRA requires the three major credit reporting agencies, Equifax Experian, and TransUnion, to provide you with a free credit report once every 12 months. It is important to check your credit reports once a year because some studies show that nearly one-third of credit reports have mistaken information on them. You don't need to individually contact all three credit reporters. To review the various ways you can request all three free reports visit the Federal Trade Commission website.