The annualcreditreport.com website is safe to use for obtaining free credit reports from the three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax). It is the official and authorized site established by federal law for consumers to get their credit reports without cost. The site uses physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information, including encryption and SSL certification for secure connections. However, it is essential to ensure you access the correct URL directly (https://www.annualcreditreport.com) to avoid phishing scams or look-alike sites that could steal personal information. Checking your credit report through this official site does not affect your credit score as it is a "soft" inquiry.
In summary, requesting your annual credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com is safe if done through the official site with proper caution against impostors.