Free credit report and score confusion

You've heard the radio ads for FreeCreditReport.com. It's one of those jingles that you can't get out of your head. A new version is FreeCreditScore.com, both from the same company.

And for that reason millions of people go to that website, not realizing its the wrong site, and ending up with an unexpected credit card bill month after month!

Battle of the Bands

You've heard the song in countless radio and TV ads. There's a guy in a bar, in a diner, on a beach, maybe wearing a pirate hat, signing "Free Credit Report dot com..."

So when its time to look up your credit report, naturally you go to FreeCreditReport.com.  Only problem: Free credit report dot com is not free. Let me repeat myself: It's not free! Nor is Free Credit Score.com Free.

You have to enroll in "Triple Advantage," and pay more than $10 a month for their service. What's free about $120 a year?

FTC Fights Back

The Federal Trade Commission has been trying to tell consumers for years that it's the wrong site, to no avail.

So the FTC is demanding that all these sites make it clear the the correct site for a free report is AnnualCreditReport.com, the true free site. (CLICK HERE)

Your score will cost about $10: there is currently no site for a free credit score..

Can You Explain that Again?

Still confused? Remember this: If you visit a free credit report website and they ask for a credit card...Stop right there, and back out of the website.

The correct free site (AnnualCreditReport.com) will not ask for your credit card, so you don't waste your money.

Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.