Annual Credit Report for Free...

[jAZ]

My accountant just forwarded all of her clients this.... thought I would share.

http://www.annualcreditreport.com


December is "West Coast" month...

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/images/map1.gif

[jAZ]

In case anyone was worried about this being a scam.

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=2638207&nav=0s3dTjv5

12/01/04 - 9:23 pm Link Available
New Program Allows Free Credit Reports

How's your credit? If you don't know, it's probably time to take a look at your credit report.

It just got easier to look at your credit report.

When it comes to your credit, what you don't know can hurt you. Reviewing your credit report each year is a good way to protect against identity theft, potential mistakes or any other financial surprises.

It's a service that will soon be free here in Texas and nationwide.

"We are a credit driven society," Sally Borie with the Austin Consumer Credit Counseling Service said.

Whether it's a shopping spree on your Visa card or trying to buy your first home, the information on your credit report, can make or break you.

"Sometimes there are errors on a credit report that we don't know about unless we're denied credit or unless we've checked our credit report," Borie said.

But now, keeping tabs on your credit is getting easier and cheaper. Under a new federal law, all you need to do is log on to AnnualCreditReport.com for a free annual credit report from all three of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies.

You can also get the information by mail or by phone.

"In our research we have found one in four credit reports have a serious enough mistake on them that would cause you to not get a job, not get an apartment, not get a car," Lucy Williams with the California Public Interest Research Group said.

The law is being phased in nationwide over the next nine months, and free reports won't be available in Texas until June 1.

Experts advise not to wait if you've got a question about your credit. Paying the small fee now could save you from big troubles down the road.

"There is so much that is dependant on having really good credit," Borie said.

AnnualCreditReport.com is the only place on the Internet Texans can take advantage of this free service beginning next June.

Don't be fooled by any other online offers you might come across. Ignore them in order to avoid potential fraud or misuse of your personal information.