How to get all three free credit reports each year

For those of you who have heard about the ability to receive a free copy of your credit report each year but who didn't know how to proceed with that wish, you're now covered.

Mortgages, car loans, securing that dream job and buying that new flat-panel television on credit all require a pretty good credit history in most cases, so you're doing yourself a solid if you spend an hour or two per year checking yours out to not and correct any abnormalities. So, how do you begin?

First off -- don't believe those "Free Credit Report!" banners you see on so many websites. Many are scams designed to steal your personal information. Also, avoid visiting the individual websites of all three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Trans Union and Equifax.

Now, the bugger: Consumers Union recommends that you request a free, annual credit report from all three agencies every year, but spread out in a "one every four months" strategy. The Motley Fool suggests you get all three at one. Regardless, use Annual Credit Report to get them, as it's the only authorized website with the permission to give out a free annual copy of each credit report to every customer who asks for one.

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