Best ways to *actually* get ahold of our credit reports?

I have gone to www.annualcreditreport.com a few times but have never successfully received a report from anyone other than TransUnion. Does anyone have a best practices for getting ahold of Experian and Equifax reports? I have Credit Check Total but I would like my actual Experian report for my records.

I have never had a problem retrieving all three from that site. When you’re done viewing your TU report there should be a button at the top to go to the next report or you can just do them one at a time (there are checkboxes for which reports you want to pull). Unless you’re failing the security questions? If you’re failing those, pull your LexisNexis and make corrections.

For EQ, if the online site is not accessible, you can call the automated line and have them snail mail you a report. 888-836-6351.

I must be failing the questions. I keep having to pick not applicable or whatever it is due the years or other details being off.

How long does snail mail take? I tried that on the 13th and haven't received my reports yet.

Thank you for the advice. I will pull my Lexus Nexus.

I don't recall the exact time frame. Maybe 2-3 weeks?

We started pulling my spouse's ACRs in addition to mine about midway through 2020, and for about nine months they would always fail the EQ identity questions, even though their answers were correct. We used MyEQ to keep some kind of tabs on it during that time, but the report you can get there is limited. For my spouse, it was also inaccurate with most lates showing greater severity than they actually were (and that they actually show on any other EQ report source). We tried to pull my spouse's LN report to check for inaccuracies there, but LN sent a letter stating that they have no report on my spouse (which I'm sure isn't true). Eventually, EQ suddenly started asking identity verification questions that actually had to do with my spouse's credit history, address history, etc. I have no idea what caused that switch, tho, so unfortunately I don't have any tips to help you try to access your EQ ACR online. I can tell you that EQ is zero help on the phone, or was at least in our case.

ETA: With regards to Experian, if your source is Credit Check Total then you are getting your real Experian report. Credit Check Total is the same as Experian.com

As simple as it sounds, I've never had a problem obtaining any one of my main 3 credit reports simply by calling the CRA up and requesting it. Don't get me wrong, I don't ask often, but when I do it's always a "sure no problem, you're receive it in 7-10 days" or something and sure enough a thick snail mail envelope arrives right around that time.