The ads tell you that you will get a free credit report, but then you learn you have to pay for a service to get the report. Those ads have confused so many people.

If you have been following this blog, you know to visit AnnualCreditReport.com. This website is the ONLY authorized source for a free annual credit report that’s yours by law.

As of April 1, the Federal Trade Commission has amended their law to combat this confusion. The other websites that offer free credit reports (with the purchase of another item and/or service) will have to have a statement that says you have the right to a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com, the ONLY authorized source under federal law and provide a link. Never again will you have to pay for your free credit report.

In addition, the AnnualCreditReport.com home page will no longer display ads from the three credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and Trans Union). Some were lured away with these ads and were charged a credit monitoring fee by the credit reporting agencies. After you’ve ordered your free report, you’ll see the ads, but it won’t be as confusing.

Note that the radio and TV advertisements have until September 1 to comply with this change. Free means free! Remember that anything for free should not have you buying another service.