Call 4 Action: Confusion Over Free Credit ReportsPOSTED: 4:50 pm EDT August 12,
2008 PITTSBURGH -- All three of the major credit monitoring companies are required to give you a free report once a year. To get it, you must go to annualcreditreport.com.Your score is not included, but there are no strings attached.When Call 4 Action asked random Pittsburghers on the street if they knew which site to go to, most of them said freecreditreport.com instead.The word "free" may depend on your point of view.It's true that freecreditreport.com gives you a free credit report -- if you enroll in a trial membership for credit monitoring which costs $15 a month."What consumers have to realize is that, after that trial period is over, you will be billed either on an annual basis or a monthly basis," said Warren King, of the Better Business Bureau.The BBB said it has received more than 1,000 complaints over three years. All were settled.And in 2005, the company that runs the Web site -- Experian -- settled a deceptive marketing lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission.Take notice of a quick disclaimer that now appears at the end of the television ad -- "offer applies with enrollment in triple advantage."Experian said it spells out the terms of the deal on its Web site. Related Links:
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