Free Credit Report ? Watch Out for Scams

Many people may still not be aware of an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) that Congress passed last year. This amendment allows U.S. citizens to receive a copy of their credit report, for free, once per year. The plan is being rolled out slowly in order to avoid swamping the system, but people living in the West and Midwest can receive their credit reports now, and everyone will be able to obtain a free credit report by September of this year. Those seeking a copy of their credit report should watch out, however, as not everyone who promises a "free" credit report is actually delivering one.

These free credit reports may be obtained through the official Website: http://www.annualcreditreport.com. Additional information is available at the Federal Trade Commission Website at http://www.ftc.gov/credit. Obtaining a copy of your credit report through this site is easy, and only requires your name, Social Security number, date of birth, and address. That would seem fairly straightforward, but there are many companies, some legitimate and some not, that are interested in attracting the business of those who seek copies of their credit report, and scams are flourishing.

Some companies have established Websites with addresses that are very similar to the address of the official site. These sites promise a free credit report, but they are actually only interested in harvesting your personal information. In addition to stealing your name, Social Security number and address, these sites may also tell you that a credit card number is necessary to "verify" your identification. With this information, the people operating these sites can steal your identity! There are many other Websites that promise "free" credit reports, but few that actually provide them for free. One such site is currently under investigation for credit report fraud. The site promised a "free" report, but required a credit card for "identification" purposes. Customers filled out the form and received a copy of the credit report but also received a charge on their credit card for $79.

Other unscrupulous companies take a more direct approach by sending spam e-mail that promises to provide free credit reports. These spam messages are almost always "phishing" expeditions that are designed only to obtain your personal information. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of your credit report, you should avoid responding to e-mail solicitations.

It is a rare occasion when you can obtain something for nothing. You can, however, receive a copy of your credit report, for free, once a year. Be aware, however, that not everyone who is promising you a free credit report intends to provide you with one.

©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.

Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding structured settlements.

---

Credit Worthiness

Credit Worthiness is an important business and personal asset each person has to manage. I mean this is an asset which could make or break business relationships... Read More

Manage Your Credit Wisely

Getting your first credit card is a big deal and all young people look forward to it with bated breath. We wait for years to be able... Read More

What is a Bad Credit History?

A bad credit history can sometimes seem like a curse... whenever you apply for financing or for a loan, it always seems to pop up and cause... Read More

3 Free Credit Reports For You

If you were to tell someone that they can have a certain item for free, more than likely their response would be, "what's the catch?" In the... Read More

Identity Theft Exploding: Here?s How You Can Avoid Becoming A Victim

Americans are more concerned about identity theft than unemployment or corporate fraud, according to a survey of 2,000 people conducted by Star Systems.Nine out of ten Americans... Read More

Different Ways to Borrow Money

There are many different ways to borrow money. Outlined below is a useful guide to some of most common ways of borrowing money.LoansThere are many loan companies... Read More

Identity Theft - How to Protect Yourself

"Like the tan? I got tons of sun on that Caribbean cruise. First class tickets to Florida and back! Nope, not an airline upgrade. 5-star service all... Read More

Various Types of Credit Cards - Part 2

Several different types of credit cards offer several different options, depending on what your needs are. Some are geared toward individual consumers while others are set up... Read More

How To Repair Your Credit Report

A credit report is run on a buyer when he or she needs to buy something that will take a long-term loan, such as an automobile or... Read More

To Repair Credit Is No longer Satisfactory - Learn How To Earn A Millionaires Credit In 30 Days...

To repair your bad credit does not necessarily mean that you now have a good credit, absolutely not. When most people have bad credit, they either purchase... Read More

Credit Report ? Check Yours Regularly - and for Free

In the twenty-first century, there are few documents that have a greater impact on the lives of Americans then their credit report. Credit rating determines one's ability... Read More

Tips for Choosing a Credit Card Company

Credit Cards are essential for any consumer today. However, when choosing a new credit card company, many people do not know what to look for. It is... Read More

How To Get Out Of Credit Card Debt

If you're like the average person, let me warn you ahead of time about what I'm going to reveal in the next few paragraphs. You may be... Read More

Harassment of People in Debt by Creditors

HarassmentHarassment of people in debt by creditors or their agents is a criminal offence under the Administration of Justice Act 1970. It is often difficult to know... Read More

Types of Credit Cards

There are a whole variety of different types of credit cards available which can make choosing the right one a very confusing experience. In order to help... Read More

Establishing Credit ? What You Need To Know Part 2

In my previous article "Establishing Credit ? What You Need To Know Part 1" I discussed the need for a good credit history and what lenders were... Read More

Give Yourself Credit

The Beginning of the Credit Card EraIn 1951, Diners Club issued the first credit card to 200 customers who could use it at 27 restaurants in New... Read More

Its Your Credit - Take Care of It!

Thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Act, American consumers can receive a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus-Experian, TransUnion and... Read More

4 Steps to Creating Good Credit

As a consumer you've learned the importance of establishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or... Read More

5 Killer Steps to avoid Credit Card SCAMS!

In August, 2004, the Federal Trade Commission issued their findings of a recent study, which showed that nearly 25 million adults were victims of fraud.Now, most importantly,... Read More

The Truth About Credit

What you might not know about credit.Some people don't know about a loop hole in the credit reporting system.You probably know that a loan in your name... Read More

Guide to Credit Terms

Listed below is a useful guide to credit card terms. It is a list of definitions of credit card terms that may or may not be familiar... Read More

Identity Theft ? Additional Protection for Soldiers on Active Duty

Congress passed the Fair Credit Reporting Act several years ago in an attempt to smooth out some problems in the credit reporting industry. The best known provision... Read More

Which Credit Card?

Bewildered by the sheer variety of debit cards and credit cards? Here is a breakdown of some of the main types of debit and credit cards available:Debit... Read More

How To Use Your Credit Cards Wisely

Are you one of the thousands pulling your hair out trying to figure out how you're going to pay your credit card bills? Using your credit cards... Read More

It Takes Credit To Build Credit

Using a credit card wisely is an important step in building a good credit rating. If you're trying to re-build your credit or if you're young and... Read More