Soon you’ll be able to get your credit report for free. A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months, from www.annualcreditreport.com. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, has prepared a brochure, Your Access to Free Credit Reports, explaining your rights and how to order a free annual credit report.

What’s the catch?

There’s no catch. The program is rolling out region-by-region. Thirteen western states became eligible to request their free annual credit reports Dec. 1, 2004. Over a nine-month period, the availability will roll out eastward, with the last of the eastern states becoming eligible on Sept. 1, 2005. Everyone will be able to get one free credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion and Experian) every year — no strings attached.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/ycr_free_reports.htm

http://www.annualcreditreport.com/

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm