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Nowadays, nothing is free. You should pay for everything that you need and or everything that you want. If someone tells you that you can have a particular item for free, would you believe him easily? I bet your answer is no. most probably you will think that it is just a fake, a fraud, or a funny joke that your friend wants to crack.
But I’m going to tell you something. In the case of credit reports there is no catch, you can now get a free copy of this report through the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnions, and Experian. Let’s take a look at the law and how you can benefit from it.
An amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires the three national credit reporting agencies to provide one free copy of your credit report to you annually. The Federal Trade Commission is requiring that these agencies offer reports on a rolling, phase in basis beginning on December 1, 2004. In other words, on December 1, 2004, if you live in certain western states you became eligible at that time and every three months later additional states were added. By September 1, 2005, residents of all states are eligible because it is the culmination.
You can order right online at www.annualcreditreport.com; or by calling 877-322-8228; or by completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mailing it:

Annual Credit Report Request Service
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281
Fortunately for consumers, you need not contact the three reporting agencies separately to obtain your free credit report. The form is available online where you can print it out and mail it in: www.ftc.gov/credit.  If you need copies more often, you can contact the three reporting agencies and request copies. However, you must pay for those.
Here are the contact numbers that you may need to reach if you want to buy a copy of your report.
Equifax
800-685-1111
www.equifax.com

Experian
888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
www.experian.com

Trans Union
800-916-8800
www.transunion.com

There are also private companies who will obtain all three copies of your credit report for you as well. There is a fee involved, but you may find their services to be less of a hassle than contacting the three companies separately.
By ordering copies of your reports from the companies on a four month rotating basis, you can say that you are actually utilizing the amendments made to the law. It will allow for you to compare/contrast the reports of each agency so most consumers will find this plan to be sufficient. In case of fraud, you will want to order all three reports at once and notify each agency to place a “fraud alert” in your credit file.
Many consumers will benefit from this law. Take advantage of it now.