The three major credit reporting companies in the United States have been making free credit reports accessible to blind and visually impaired consumers for several years. Reports are available in Braille, Large Print or audio format, or on-line in an accessible on-line format. Every United States citizen is entitled to one free report every twelve months from each of the three companies: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. The three reports can be requested at the same time, or at different times over a twelve month period. Structured Negotiations advocacy by the American Council of the Blind, the California Council of the Blind, and individuals with visual impairments resulted in the accessible reports.

• Read about how to get your accessible on-line credit reports
• Read about how to order reports in Braille, large print and audio formats
• Jump to Resources about Accessible Credit Reports
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Accessible Credit Reports On Line

Credit reports delivered on line have been designed to be accessible in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. They are available only through Annualcreditreport.com – the one official website operated by Trans Union, Equifax and Experian. [Not all sites that claim to provide free reports actually have free reports, and certainly not all those sites are accessible.] Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, the official free credit report site, now.

For security purposes, the official credit report site includes a CAPTCHA designed to prevent computers from hacking into the site. There is an alternative, audio CAPTCHA for consumers with visual impairments who cannot see the standard visual image of distorted letters and numbers. The audio CAPTCHA on the credit report site is unique in that the security code is provided over the telephone. For that reason consumers should have a phone nearby when requesting their report.

Ordering Reports in Braille, Large Print and Audio

People who are blind or visually impaired within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act may order Braille, Large Print or Audio credit reports from any of the three credit reporting agencies by calling, toll free:

• 877-322-8228

This is an automated system. After entering identifying information, including social security number, callers will be given the option of receiving reports in Braille, Large Print or Audio. (The reports will also be sent in print. The alternative format should arrive within two or three days of the print copy.) The request to select your format comes toward the end of the recording.

Please note that while credit reports (also known as credit disclosures) are free through the toll free number above, credit scores are not. Information on how to order a credit scores will be provided to consumers ordering the initial reports. Scores should also be provided in Braille, Large Print, and audio formats to those who order the initial disclosure in these formats.

Additional Accessible Credit Report Resources

In the Accessible Credit Report Category of this web site you can find links to the initial Accessible Credit Report settlement agreement, and to the 2008 press release announcing the availability of accessible reports.

The three credit reporting agencies have been very committed to providing credit report information in both an accessible format on line and in other alternative formats. The companies have also been quick to resolve any issues that may arise. ACB’s lawyers — the Law Office of Lainey Feingold and Linda Dardarian of Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian — continue to monitor the accessible credit report agreement. If you order your credit report in an accessible format, please use the Contact Page of this website to share your experience.