free crdidt report anywhere?

I don't think so. They are going to make lots of pitches when you contact them, but you can get one free report per year. Contact them, though. I wouldn't fork over my SSN to just anyone who posts an ad on the internet.

As Roger said, you can get a free credit report once per year from the big three credit reporting agencies. Decline the offers to sign up for continuing credit watch services, and just take the free, no strings annual report.

This is the official site where you can get a free yearly credit report.

annualcreditreport.com

I think you still have to pay extra to see your score, and extra to get all three reports...but you can get one for free with no score.

Yes. The freebie reports in terms of so-so, good, better, etc.

p.s. I think it's Experian that dropped the Fair Issac score, so if you use that agency, there is less reason to pay.

You get all three reports (e.g. a listing of your accounts and the raw information on your credit that they use to calculate the score) free once per year, but some of them withhold their calculated score and try to upsell you on additional reporting/monitoring.

Here is a very good idea: You get (according to Federal Law) one free credit report per year from EACH of the three reporting agencies.

Now, ideally, all three agencies should have approximately the same info on you. The reason for getting the reports is to check for irregularities and possible ID theft.

Most people don't really need their credit score. If you're applying for credit, the company you're applying to will get your score. What you need are just the basics anyway.

So, get one free report every four months. This keeps you generally covered year-round and if you see any red flags, you can take action from there.

Also, don't forget that if you've been turned down for credit at any time, the company turning you down has to state *why* upon your request. Being turned down also earns you a free look at your credit report.

Tom