any people may still not Obtaining a copy of your credit
be aware of an amendment report through this site is easy,
to the Fair Credit and only requires your name,
Reporting Act (FCRA) that Social Security number, date of
Congress passed last year. This birth, and address. That would
amendment allows U.S. citizens to seem fairly straightforward, but
receive a copy of their credit there are many companies, some
report, for free, once per year. legitimate and some not, that are
The plan is being rolled out interested in attracting the
slowly in order to avoid swamping business of those who seek copies
the system, but people living in of their credit report, and scams
the West and Midwest can receive are flourishing.
their credit reports now, and
everyone will be able to obtain a Some companies have established
free credit report by September Websites with addresses that are
of this year. Those seeking a very similar to the address of
copy of their credit report the official site. These sites
should watch out, however, as not promise a free credit report, but
everyone who promises a "free" they are actually only interested
credit report is actually in harvesting your personal
delivering one. information. In addition to
stealing your name, Social
These free credit reports may be Security number and address,
obtained through the official these sites may also tell you
Website: that a credit card number is
http://www.annualcreditreport.com necessary to "verify" your
. Additional information is identification. With this
available at the Federal Trade information, the people operating
Commission Website at these sites can steal your
http://www.ftc.gov/credit . identity! There are many other
Websites that promise "free" "phishing" expeditions that are
credit reports, but few that designed only to obtain your
actually provide them for free. personal information. If you are
One such site is currently under interested in obtaining a copy of
investigation for credit report your credit report, you should
fraud. The site promised a "free" avoid responding to e-mail
report, but required a credit solicitations.
card for "identification"
purposes. Customers filled out It is a rare occasion when you
the form and received a copy of can obtain something for nothing.
the credit report but also You can, however, receive a copy
received a charge on their credit of your credit report, for free,
card for $79. Other unscrupulous once a year. Be aware, however,
companies take a more direct that not everyone who is
approach by sending spam e-mail promising you a free credit
that promises to provide free report intends to provide you
credit reports. These spam with one.
messages are almost always
About the Author:
"©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.End-Your-Debt.com, a site devoted to debt consolidation and credit counseling, and http://www.StructuredSettlementHelp.com, a site devoted to information regarding structured settlements.
Source: www.isnare.com
