A Truly Free Credit Report

       All of us have likely seen those commercials offering us to view our credit score for free. But if you can read the fine print in the commercial, while its up for about one second, the offer is only valid if you enroll in one of their programs.

       However, don't be sucked into such commercials and potential fees. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The companies promoting free credit reports to you are just using this law to get you your credit report in exchange for your membership. Please refrain from using these companies to trick you into their membership programs.

       To order, visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. You can print it from ftc.gov/credit. Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are providing free annual credit reports only through annualcreditreport.com, 1-877-322-8228, and Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

Visit the Federal Trade Commission's website on this for more information and some frequently asked questions: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre34.shtm