Free Credit Reports?

by Heather Wells (Recovery Advocate)

Everyone should check their credit reports at least once a year to make sure that all of the information contained in them is accurate and up to date. You should also check your reports for any information that is fraudulent, which could signal that you are the victim of Identity Theft. This includes accounts as well as personal information such as addresses and phone numbers.

There’s only one legitimate source where you can obtain your FREE credit reports and that’s http://www.annualcreditreport.com/. The law requires that each of the major credit reporting agencies-Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion-give you a copy of your credit report every year at no charge.

If you are ever online and are asked to enter a credit card number in order to obtain a copy of your credit report, DON’T DO IT. Many of the companies that advertise free credit reports and credit scores will enroll you in services that you don’t want or need. Cancelling these services once you’ve given over your billing information can be difficult or downright impossible.

So, before you give over your credit card number for something that is supposed to be “free,” don’t do it. Go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com/.