The Only Place To Get A Free Credit Report

Only one Web site is authorized to take requests from consumers for the free annual credit report you are entitled to under law.

That Web site is AnnualCreditReport.com. Other Web sites that claim to offer “free" credit reports, credit scores and credit monitoring are not part of the legally mandated free annual credit report program. In most, if not all, cases, the “free” product comes with strings attached.

You're are not entitled to a free copy of your credit score. Companies are allowed to charge a reasonable fee, generally around $6 to $10, for your credit score. When you buy your score, sometimes you get information on how you can improve it.

I've written a lot about the importance of your credit score, especially in the current lending environment. If you plan on purchasing a home within the next 12 to 18 months, it probably is a good idea to get your score now. Individuals with scores of 720 or higher generally get the best mortgage interest rates and terms. Knowing your score now will give you time to correct errors and take steps to improve it.