Don't be fooled! Access to free instant credit reports is not as easy as hundreds of sites would have you believe. Yes, since the FTC ruling in 2005 you are entitled to one free annual report from each of the 3 major credit bureaus. But in order to truly get a "free instant credit report" there is only one web site that is trustworthy.

Access to your no-strings attached, free instant credit report is a great help to all consumers. In the past, there was a fee required, not to mention the added hassle in order to get your credit report. The reports are the same now as before, but you, the object of the report, can now see what every bank, employer and landlord has always known.

Did you know that it is estimated that 70% of all credit reports have errors! Now, these range anywhere from typographical to pure fraud. Image being denied a car loan because of a problem on your credit that you had absolutely nothing to do with? This is one of the biggest fears in America and what easier way to combat this than to request an annual free instant credit report?

You can easily find a service online willing to provide your credit report for free. But, as you soon find out, the service is not free, but just a trial offer. Forget to "opt-out" and your free instant credit report just became $29.99 on your Visa.

IMPORTANT!

Over 50% of the web sites offering "Free Instant Credit Reports" are operated by the major credit bureaus.

There is only one site that can honestly provide a no-strings attached free instant credit report, and that is straight through the FTC. They can be found at http://www.annualcreditreport.com. I don't know of any other web sites that truly offer free instant credit reports.

You should find the website fairly user-friendly. More importantly the FTC is not out to get your personal information or sell you something! Remember, the FTC will never try to get your personal information through email or a pop-up ad either.

Just a few last reminders to help protect you before you hit "submit" for your free instant credit report. You will not be penalized for requesting a copy of your credit as long as you do so just once per year. However, further requests will cost you money and credit points.

Personally, I think that penalty is ridiculous, but who am I to decide? Instead of battle the issue, I subscribe to a credit monitoring site. Yes, it costs money, but this way I can monitor my credit as I need to. It's worth the money.