According to an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you can obtain a free credit report on yourself for free one time every year. However, just like with any new law or service, there are people out there looking to take advantage of you. So be aware of what you see when looking for your credit report; not every service claiming to offer you a free credit report is actually offering one.
To get your free credit report, you really only need to go to the annual credit report website. If you go to the Federal Trade Commission's website, you will find all the information you really need to get your free credit report. You only need your name, social security number, date of birth, and address to get the free report. As easy as it is, there are still many companies out there who want to get the business of people like you who are seeking their free credit report.
One way these companies take advantage of people is by establishing a web address that is very similar to the legitimate government websites for obtaining a free credit report. They will harvest your social security number, address, and other personal information under the claim that you will get a free credit report. Remember, you can get one by going through the Federal Trade Commission. Be aware that you should never have to supply a credit card number or telephone number to obtain your free credit report. Your address, name, social security number, and date of birth are all you need.
You should never respond to an email to get your free credit report. Remember that that getting the report is a right you have. Some companies, in an effort to get your personal information, will send spam emails advertising access to your free credit report. These companies are usually just Phishing for your personal information. Never respond to emails to get your credit report. Instead, the information is easy to obtain through the proper government channels that are readily available to you.
Congress has given you the right to obtain a free credit report on yourself once every year. The government has given you access to the free report through the Federal Trade Commission website so that you do not have to worry. You will get emails, see on line advertising, and even get pop up ads that advertise free credit reports. Keep in mind, though, that many of these companies are not interested in getting you your report as much as they are getting a hold of your information. There is no reason to use these companies, legitimate or not, to obtain your free credit report when you can do it through the Federal Trade Commission. Your information is vital to your financial well being and in the wrong hands could do a lot of damage to your credit. In order to avoid these pitfalls, the best thing to do to get your free credit report is to go through the government.
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