Ever came across an annual credit report scam? Well, if there is a way to scam people out of money, especially on a necessary topic, then you can be sure a method will be in play. It is no different with an annual credit report scam. Not only are there claims to get your annual credit report for free from numerous websites, but there are also emails and pop-up ads which target you, as well.


•Don’t fall for an annual credit report Scam – Request credit reports the right way

annual credit report scam
Your first defense against an annual credit report scam is to realize that the annualcreditreport.com is the only free government site where you can request your credit report. It is safe and authorized by the three credit agencies. Once a year, you can receive your credit report completely free from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

• Some annual credit report scam websites

However, there are many websites which claim you can get your annual credit report for free. There is fine print to read, though. You can receive your credit report for free through them during a trial period you sign up for. Smaller details include a monthly fee which they will charge you if you do not cancel your trail run.

Some websites make it obvious where to cancel your free trial, but not so obvious for another service they may provide. Make sure you read all the details before signing up for a free trial, and be sure to cancel every detail if you choose to not keep the service after your trial period. Place a note on your calendar at least a couple days before the end of the trial period to remind you to cancel.

Other sites attempt to scam you by misspelling annualcreditreport.com in hopes that an accidental spelling or typing error will lead you to their site. These send you instead to a site which will try to sell you your annual credit report. Others are out to get your personal information. When you request your report from annualcreditreport.com, you have to enter information such as your Social Security Number, name, and address. While annualcreditreport.com is a safe website run specifically for you to obtain you report, other websites are purposely misguiding you in the attempt to get the personal information you can unwittingly give them.

• Scams through emails or pop-up ads

Another annual credit report scam is to send you emails or have pop-up ads which request your personal information in order to send you your credit report. They claim they are from annualcreditreport.com or from Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian. However, none of these ever send emails requesting information, nor do they use pop-up ads to get your attention. Forward spam emails requesting this information to spam@uce.gov, the Federal Trade Commission’s database, to report these claims and protect others from falling prey.


If you have been misled by an annual credit report scam, immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission and your local authorities, as well as Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.