You have seen those commercials on TV and the many websites and emails claiming free credit reports. For the most part stay away!
By law, you are entitled to copies of your credit report at no charge each year from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
The following is from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website:
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.
Did you get that? Do not pay anyone for what you are entitled for free.
I personally put this to the test and it is absolutely true.
Once you go to the FTC website, you will be told to go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index to begin the process. It took me no more than five minutes to get my credit reports – viewable and printable online – from all three credit reporting companies. No catches, no fees, no hidden agendas.
Here is a video that shows you how easy it is.
