Ugh! I just saw another one of those commercials on television that drive me so crazy. You know the ones, the commercials that show you smiling face after smiling face of people that are just so pleased that they finally got a free copy of their credit report. Each of these smiling faces proclaims how great it was for their financial security for them to get a copy of this report. But beware … don’t be fooled by these free credit report programs as many of them utilize bait and switch tactics to reel in unsuspecting consumers.
No, I have no problem with encouraging people to get a free credit report. What I do have a problem with, however, is with these companies that offer a free credit report as a carrot in order to entice people to join their “no obligation” clubs. You know, those clubs that are free for a certain period of time and, unless you call to cancel your membership, rolls into a regular membership fee. These clubs count on you to forget to cancel or to lose their contact information so they can keep you on their roster and continue collecting membership dues from you.
Several years ago, the promise of a free credit report may have been an attractive incentive that makes it worthwhile to take the risk of getting caught up in the “free club membership” cycle. Nowadays, however, there is no reason for you to make this type of commitment in order to get a free credit report. The federal government has mandated that all people are allowed to order one free copy of their credit report every year – no strings attached. It really makes me sick to see companies portraying their free credit report offer as some sort of special deal. To me, these companies instantly fall into the “scam artist” category when they make such offers.
If you want to get a free credit report, don’t join one of these clubs. Rather, visit annualcreditreport.com and get the free report you are entitled to.
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