Free Credit Score Online

According to a recent alert issued by the Federal Trade Commission, it is easy to get a free credit score online. People must go to the authorized Website that is sponsored by the top-three credit reporting agencies to get their three free credit reports each year. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian to each supply one free credit report to every consumer who asks for these documents through their jointly held credit reporting Website. These three free credit score documents may be ordered all at once, or separately throughout the year.

All three nationwide credit score agencies are sharing one Website so that consumers will not be confused by the frauds and swindles that keep appearing in the free credit score online industry. The majority of the free online credit score sites come with strings attached that will eventually cost the consumer money. Many of the free credit score businesses charge high fees, monthly membership payments, and/or service charges.

The Federal Trade Commission hosts the following contact information on their Website for consumers who would like to receive their free credit score online:

• Online address: AnnualCreditReport.com
• Telephone number: 1-877-322-8228
• Offline address:
  Annual Credit Report Request Service
  P.O. Box 105281
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Consumers are cautioned to avoid the free credit score online sites that are using Website names that are close in spellings to the real one. When consumers are doing business with the real AnnualCreditReport.com site, they will not receive emails or telephone calls that ask for their personal information to be listed. If a consumer receives a telephone call or email from anybody asking for personal information, do not click on links or release any sensitive information to strangers. Complain online to the Federal Trade Commission.

When people would like more than one free credit score online report from each of the three credit reporting agencies in less than one year, the law allows them to charge up to $10.50 for each additional request. To save money, some people will stagger their first free requests from each company so that they come at different times during the year. The free online credit reports come with easy instructions on how to challenge discrepancies.