If you receive an error that prevents Experian from being able to accept your request for a credit report, it may be due to some type of ad blocking software you are using with your Internet browser.
This error typically occurs when trying to obtain your Experian credit report from the website annualcreditreport.com.
A potential solution to get around this is to either turn off, disable, or possibly even uninstall any browser ad blocking software you may have installed.
In addition, any firewall or anti-virus software you may have enabled or installed on your computer may include ad blocking settings, which you may also need to disable.
Consult the necessary help menu or user manual for your specific browser or firewall in order to accomplish this.
However, if you are not very technically savvy, perhaps consult a friend who is; otherwise, it may be worthwhile trying other methods in obtaining your Experian credit report such as using:
- a different Internet browser
- a different device such as a smart phone, or
- the Experian app
Why would my ad blocker interfere with getting an Experian credit report?
Ad blockers may cause issues in obtaining your Experian credit report from annualcreditreport.com because the code embedded in the software may affect the functionality of the website.
Perhaps the ad blocking software is somehow able to interrupt the communication of information between your browser, annualcreditreport.com, and Experian.
It could also be related to a specific web browser and/or ad blocking software.
As background information, when a developer is designing a website, they often use a particular browser as their “test browser”.
For instance, perhaps when the annualcreditreport.com website was being developed, it may have only been tested on certain browsers such as Google Chrome perhaps.
As a result, the website’s functionality may not have been verified to work flawlessly in other browsers, such as Apple Safari, say.
Of course, this is only speculation and purely to provide an example, and does not at all question the integrity of the website developers.
Regardless, in some cases though, it has been reported that this error may also be a false alarm, and that trying again may prove successful.
How can you disable ad blocking software to allow you to obtain your Experian credit report?
Depending on the application, some ad blockers can be turned off through your browser’s settings, whilst others may need to be uninstalled completely.
Check your ad blocking software’s documentation on how to remove or disable it.
If you happen to be on a PC and you are using a PC desktop antivirus or firewall like Norton, don’t forget that some of these include ad blocking features and might need to be disabled as well.
Alternatives to disabling or removing ad blocking software to obtain your credit report
Try a different browser
Since ad blocking software is normally browser specific, you could just try a different browser.
Maybe the ad blocking software is installed in Chrome, but not Edge, so try Edge instead.
Try a different device
Maybe you have ad blocking software installed on one device, but not another. For instance, try your PC instead of your cell phone.
Try the Experian mobile app
If obtaining your free credit report from Experian through annualcreditreport.com continues to be an issue, you could try their app.
Going directly to the Experian App avoids any browser blocking software altogether.
The Experian App features many of the same items you can get with your credit report.
Some items on their app are free, and others are not, so just be careful what you sign up for!
Are there additional ways to request my free credit file?
If you do not wish to use the website www.AnnualCreditReport.com to obtain a copy of your credit file, there are alternatives, such as:
- You can call 877 FACTACT and request it via phone. Always be ready for identity verification questions, so that they can confirm that they are speaking with the correct person.
- Fill out request form and mail to the address:
- Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.