Free Copy Of Credit Report Scams

When trying to get a free copy of credit report, it is easy to get misled by advertisements or promotional emails that claim to do all the legwork for you. Truth is, getting your free annual credit report is not much work so you do not need a third party to mediate. It is your right to get a free copy of your credit report and if internet advertisements are making you believe otherwise, you are being scammed. A credit report scam might covertly sign you up for an expensive credit monitoring or repair service that you do not really need. On the other hand, some credit report scams are cleverly disguised identity theft operations that will ask for all your information to get you a free copy of credit report and steal all your information.

Free Annual Credit Report Without A Credit Card

When looking for your free annual credit check, if a website asks you for your credit card details, it should be an immediate red flag. You can get your free annual credit report without a credit card from all three credit reporting bureaus. Websites asking you for credit card details and other personal information including your name, address, social security number and the like are more likely to be a credit report scam. Log on to AnnualCreditReport.com and you will be able to get your free annual credit report without a credit card.

Free Credit Score From AnnualCreditReport.com

If you Google “free annual credit” and your search leads you to a site other than annualcreditreport.com, and the site asks for credit card details or other personal information to get you your free credit score, you should quit immediately because it is probably a credit report scam. AnnualCreditReport.com is sponsored by all three consumer reporting agencies – Experian, TransUnion and Equifax and is the only website authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to provide you with your free annual credit report. Your only other option for a free annual credit check may be CreditKarma.com; however it only offers a free TransUnion credit score.

Tips For Getting Your Annual Credit Reports

The Fair Credit Reporting Act entitles you to one free annual credit report each year so here are some tips:

• Always double check the address you type in your browser as there is many a credit report scam with names similar to AnnualCreditReport.com and they might try to hoodwink you.
• Instead of getting your free annual credit report from all three credit bureaus at the same time, space them out over the course of the year so you can view a new one every few months.
• Download your free annual credit history immediately as for security reasons; it may not be available later. You might also have the option of getting your free credit score posted to you.
• If you have already accessed your free annual credit report and need another copy, approach any of the consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion or Experian) directly instead of using a third party and running the risk of a credit report scam.