April 20, 2026 | By Greg Fisher

#misleading #n511 #weekly

In April of 2020, near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the national consumer reporting agencies (aka credit bureaus) decided, collectively, to provide free credit reports weekly. By law, they have to provide them annually (thus the domain name annualcreditreport.com).

In September of 2023, they made the weekly thing permanent (aka forever!).

2404R – Misinformation about https://t.co/nGlgCGlXYQ

In 2024, DFCU Financial said, "You can rotate between the three credit bureaus, so you're checking a different one every few months."

Free credit reports weekly have been permanent since 2023. #2404R https://t.co/Wt36VB5Vzu

— Greg Fisher (@creditscoring) April 5, 2026

Unfortunately, apparently missing all that hoopla for years, New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga published this in December of that year.

6. Check your credit report and build your credit history. Lenders use your credit score and information on your credit report to make decisions on loans or credit cards and the interest rate you pay. To avoid surprises and correct any potential mistakes on your credit, you should check your credit reports regularly. You are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months at annualcreditreport.com. If you find any errors, file a dispute with the credit bureaus. Using a credit card wisely will help you build your credit history and increase your credit score. Try using your credit card only for purchases you can pay off in full or at least pay the minimum monthly. A higher credit score means you will have access to more credit products and lower interest rates and payments on any new loans you take out.

That would be #6 on the commissioner's ill-fated (but SEO friendly!) listicle "10 Resolutions for the New Year to Help You Manage Your Finances in 2024."

Ouch.

Now what?

Find out what happens after the friendly, efficacious email.

Follow the activity of Item #2312e using that hashtag.