The claim
The Fair Credit Reporting Act sets up a free annual file disclosure for more than the three nationwide credit bureaus. Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681j(a)(1)(A), consumer reporting agencies described in § 1681a(p) and the definition now at § 1681a(x) must make the § 1681g disclosures once during any 12-month period, on request and without charge. Section 1681a(x) defines a nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency as one that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis relating to medical records or payments, residential or tenant history, check writing history, employment history, or insurance claims. Section 1681g(a)(1) says the disclosure covers all information in the consumer's file at the time of the request, with listed exceptions. Under Regulation V (12 CFR § 1022.137), each nationwide specialty agency must have a streamlined request process that includes a toll-free telephone number.
The receipt
All consumer reporting agencies described in subsections (p) and (w) of section 1681a of this title shall make all disclosures pursuant to section 1681g of this title once during any 12-month period upon request of the consumer and without charge to the consumer.
The term 'nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency' means a consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis relating to— (1) medical records or payments; (2) residential or tenant history; (3) check writing history; (4) employment history; or (5) insurance claims.
A consumer reporting agency shall provide a consumer report under paragraph (1) not later than 15 days after the date on which the request is received under paragraph (1).
Any nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency shall have a streamlined process for accepting and processing consumer requests for annual file disclosures.
You have to request the reports individually from each of these companies. Most of the companies in this list provide a report for free every 12 months. Other companies may charge you a fee for your report.
What the rule doesn't cover
The free annual disclosure in § 1681j(a)(1)(A) applies to agencies that meet the nationwide definition. The CFPB's list of consumer reporting companies says it is not all-inclusive and does not reflect determinations as to whether any particular company is subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, so the list alone does not say which companies on it owe a free annual disclosure. The CFPB's Ask CFPB page says that most of the companies in its list provide a report for free every 12 months and that other companies may charge a fee.
The CFPB list also says many employment screening companies won't have information on you unless you authorized an employer or other end-user to obtain a report, and most tenant screening companies won't unless you applied for rental housing or otherwise authorized a landlord or property manager. The statute's text still refers to § 1681a(w); the Code's note says that subsection was redesignated (x) in 2010. This page does not cover state laws on specialty reports.
What you can do
The CFPB keeps a list of consumer reporting companies, grouped by the kind of information they report. Under 12 CFR § 1022.137(a), a nationwide specialty agency's toll-free request number has to be clearly and prominently posted on its consumer reporting website.
A question a company can be asked: "Do you operate as a nationwide specialty consumer reporting agency under 15 U.S.C. § 1681a(x), and if so, what is your process for requesting the free annual file disclosure?"
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Sources: 15 U.S.C. §§ 1681a, 1681g, 1681j (govinfo.gov, 2024 ed.) · 12 CFR § 1022.137 (Regulation V, on eCFR) · CFPB: list of consumer reporting companies · CFPB: free copies of credit reports
Sources last checked: October 18, 2026.
Everything here is consumer information — not financial or legal advice. It covers what a rule says and where to find it; the decisions stay yours.