Free online credit reports begin Wednesday

Consumers in 13 Western states will be able to grab free online copies of their credit reports starting Wednesday, as a new federal law is phased in.

Under the terms of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, passed last year, and amid growing concerns over privacy and disclosure of sensitive financial data, the three leading credit reporting agencies must provide consumers with a free summary once a year of all credit information on file for that person.

Those agencies--Equifax, Experian and TransUnion--have launched AnnualCreditReport.com to streamline the process of obtaining reports. For security reasons, people can only access the Web site directly, not through a referred link.

Consumers using the site fill out an online form with a Social Security number, followed by answers to several personal questions, such as the balance on a certain credit card, meant to verify the respondent's identity.

Once identity is established, the consumer is sent to a secure Web page with a full copy of the credit report from the requested agencies. The recipient can print out the report from a Web browser, but the report can't be downloaded or saved to the PC.

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Click here to review our Terms of Use.