Internet Credit Reports- Free or Scam?
Internet surfers searching for credit information will find themselves presented with literally thousands of sites which offer a ‘free credit report’. This begs the question, ‘If this information is free, why are so many people clamoring to give it to me?
The answer is, many of these sites offer free reports only if the user agrees to sign up for some paid service, such as credit monitoring. To be fair, most of these services can be canceled within one month, so it’s still possible to get the free report if you stop the service in time. These sites also lure visitors in order to show a multitude of advertisements.
Another thing to beware of are sites that try to steer the user toward -credit repair-. In most cases only time, a conscious effort, and a personal debt repayment plan will improve your credit rating.
So what sites are recommended?
According to a recent press release, @Yahoo, the only site /service authorized by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to request and view their free credit reports is www.annualcreditreport.com.
This service also allows credit report requests by phone (877-322-8228) or mail (Annual Credit Report Request Service
P. O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281) Forms to request credit reports by mail are printable from the site.