The credit report Denver

In March 2009, while trying to obtain a free report from Experian, confusing links and instructions led me without realizing it to another site called FreeCreditReport.com. Without warning or authorization, I began receiving $4.95 monthly charges on my credit card bill. It took phone calls and a hostile representative and action by my bank to stop those charges. I the credit report Denver support any amendments and changes in the credit report Denver rules that will prevent the consumer from being tricked into this fraudulent behavior the credit report Denver by the credit reporting agencies. See related: Free credit reports: How to get the actual free ones, A the credit report Denver comprehensive guide to the Credit CARD Act of 2009, Credit report hustle moves to Craigslist You've probably seen or heard ads featuring catchy tunes and jingles for websites claiming to help you get a free credit report.

The problem: Those sites aren't the official government-mandated site (AnnualCreditReport.com) for obtaining free reports entitled to you each year by federal law.

At these soundalike sites, free isn't really free -- it comes with strings attached. They sign consumers up -- sometimes without their knowledge -- for credit monitoring services and charge recurring the credit report Denver monthly fees to their credit cards. credit reports three Curbing 'confusing' ads, practices The Federal the credit report Denver Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed new rules to help decrease the number of consumers who are duped into signing up for services they don't want and make it easier for people who only want to get their the credit report Denver free credit reports to do so -- without hassle. There has been a proliferation of confusing advertising regarding where consumers can obtain their free annual [credit] file, according to the FTC. The new rules were drafted because the credit report Denver a provision in the Credit CARD Act of 2009 says, beginning Feb. 22, 2010, radio, TV and other ads for free credit reports must include the credit report Denver the following disclaimer: This is not the free credit report provided for by the credit report Denver federal law.

These advertisements direct consumers not to AnnualCreditReport.com, the authorized source for free annual file disclosures, but to commercial websites operated by the nationwide CRAs (credit reporting agencies) or others that sell a variety of products and services, according to the FTC. how to get your annual free credit report Further, when a consumer uses an Internet search engine to find the website for free annual file disclosures, the credit report Denver the search engine will usually list 'sponsored' links -- again, selling products and services -- such as 'FreeCreditReport.com' first. As a result of this advertising, consumers are often misled and confused about where to go to obtain the credit report Denver the free annual file disclosure mandated the credit report Denver by federal law.

Getting a 'free' credit report is one of the most confusing and frustrating experiences there is.

The FTC is also seeking to make getting free credit reports on the official site -- AnnualCreditReport.com -- less confusing for consumers. Today, the site makes it easy for consumers to get sidetracked from the free path with ads and special offers for additional services that are not free. The proposal would ban those pitches until after consumers have signed up for the credit report Denver their free reports.

Also banned: requiring consumers to set up accounts on the site before they can get the credit report Denver their free reports. Hundreds comment on proposed rules Of the more than 1,000 comments filed with the FTC about the proposed changes, an overwhelming majority support the new rules. ftc.gov free credit report Carl Levin, the National Association of Attorneys General and the National Consumer Law Center were among those supporting the rules. Among those expressing concerns for commercial expression on the Internet and free commerce were: the Interactive Advertising Bureau, National the credit report Denver Business Coalition for E-Commerce and Privacy and the Direct Marketing Association.

The majority of comments were from consumers, some fuming over what they call deception when trying to obtain their free reports.