FreeCreditReport.com!

mshan242700

"In one disclosure viewed by msnbc.com, the top of the FreeCreditReport.com Web site was covered with a large grey block with type that read: "You have the right to a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com ... the only authorized source under federal law," with an obvious link to the site. Consumers who still want to sign up with FreeCreditReport.com would have to scroll down and enroll in the paid service offered by Experian."

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/03/freecreditreportcom-forced-to-face-the-music.html#posts

I think I also remember someone saying you can request just one of your 3 different credit report every 4 months, getting a different one next time, so that by end of the year you have all 3 reports, but they are staggered and presumably updated throughout year.





LOL!

Fongolio

There is a similar law here in Canada as well. If you request it in writing the two big credit reporting agencies in Canada (Trans Union and Equifax) must supply you a credit report for free.

dc55110

mshan242700 wrote: »

...so that by end of the year you have all 3 reports, but they are staggered and presumably updated throughout year.

Most financial advisers recommend doing it that way. It allows you to keep tabs on you credit history year round. The reports are not always the same from each bureau, but should be very close.

bruss

they have a really catchy jingle though

squeeb

I had to go back and verify I gave the right information. I did. Make sure you go to www.annualcreditreport.com and if all you want is to view your credit, then you WILL NOT be asked to input any credit card information.

All three of the vendors on annualcreditreport try to "cross sell" you something - either your credit score or credit monitoring (like Experians freecreditreport). Simply decline.

I have almost come to expect to see some advertisements on websites if I am getting something for free. I attached a brochure that I have handed out during presentations.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96143

squeeb

Hey all - I saw this article on the misleading website and the changes after April 1 ...


Website Changes

Once you land on AnnualCreditReport.com, you might think you're home free. But there are perils there, too. The law requires credit bureaus to provide a free credit report to consumers, but they're not required to give you your credit score. Some credit bureaus offer to sell you a credit score while you're ordering your credit report. Others pitch offers for credit-monitoring services. These promotions have led some consumers to believe that they can't get their credit reports unless they purchase these products.

The FTC rule attempts to address this problem. Credit bureaus won't be allowed to advertise products and services on AnnualCreditReport.com until after consumers have received their free credit reports.

This rule also becomes effective April 1. In the meantime, if you order your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, understand that you're not obligated to buy anything. If you're not interested, just skip the offers and continue to the section that allows you to order your report.

You can order all three credit reports at once or order a different one every four months. Staggering your reports allows you to check for suspicious activity, such as new accounts you never opened, that could indicate you've been victimized by identity theft, Alderman says. And unlike credit monitoring, it doesn't cost you anything.

However, if you're planning to apply for a mortgage or car loan, you should order all three credit reports, says Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. That way, you can check your reports for errors that could prevent you from getting a loan, she says.

Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so it's important to scrutinize all three reports, Cunningham says. If you find an error that could hurt your score, you can file a dispute with the credit bureau.

cfrizz

You DO get a free report showing all your cards & balances & timeliness of payments etc. What you DON'T get is your credit score. That you will have to pay for.

I looked at my credit report & knew that I didn't need to know what my score was.

It is a bit of a confusing racket they have going.