The Warning Signs of Online Free Credit Report Scam
The US government has authorized a law that grants all citizens to acquire a yearly credit report for free some years back. This law expresses that you can obtain your credit history as there is an alarming growth on identity theft cases online lately. This costless credit report can be accessed online anytime you want. It will show you various reports by entirely three of the well-known and respected credit reporting agencies. Though, as a teaser, you will not be able to see your credit score instantly.
Because there is no cost on getting your annual credit report, it made this law instant famous. But it also attracts so many identity thieves and con artists online that have emerged to create their own scam web sites offering free credit report. They have generated easy income through this law which defeats its purpose of protecting you. As of this time, there are hundreds of websites offering help on getting free credit report. If you are confused which one is really legitimate and truthful, you might want to check the site with your local Better Business Bureau. Better yet, you can ask for some recommended sites from your financial consultant or even close friends.
How can you spot a scam site? Here are the most common warning signs to remember. If the site charges you for a small amount just to get the credit report, then that is surely a warning sign that you will get scammed. Another thing, when you are asked to fill out confidential information through the website such as your credit card or Social Security number; that is also another warning sign that it is a scam. If you fall prey into this scheme, virtually anybody can use your money and identity online that eventually will destroy your credit.
Furthermore, these scam sites most likely, are purposely given domain names that are so much alike with the legit ones to mislead you. But you can spot the fake ones by noticing some typo errors on the domain names themselves or through the contents. Examples of such typo errors are misspelled domain names, some incorrect spellings of content words and misplaced punctuation marks. The law provides that you are entitled to get one yearly free credit report. You should remember that. Do not give in to pay any amount of money even if it is a very small amount when you want to get your online free credit report through a site. There is a clever way used by online thieves to get around with this. On their site, they will tell you that they will ask for your payment information (a.k.a. credit card details) just for verification purposes and that they will not charge you at all. Do not fall into this trap. Also, whenever you receive an email which is some sort of a sales letter, make sure that you read the small print really cautiously prior to making any reply. There are scam sites that give you no choice but to give your credit card information in exchange for the free credit report.
You must remember that getting your free credit report can be done either through mail, phone or online. Just to be on safe side, try to get in touch with the three top national credit reports authorized agencies such as Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian. These three agencies can assist you in keeping track of your credit.
