Not all `free' credit reports are free

Those commercials with the catchy "free credit report-dot-com" jingle can be misleading, according to Jeanine Lipka with Money Management International.

"When you order your free credit report through "freecreditreport.com," you begin a trial membership period that lasts seven days," said Lipka. "If you don't discontinue that trial membership before the seven-day period is up, then you will be charged the sum of $14.95 per month for the monitoring service."

Freecreditreport.com is doing nothing illegal, Lipka said.

"They're disclosing all that information right on their Web site. Consumers just have to be diligent, understand the agreement they're entering into."

There is one Web site -- "annualcreditreport.com" -- where people can get one free report each year, with no obligation, said Lipka.

"They will ask for some identifying information to confirm your identity and that you are who you say you are before they will allow you access to that credit report," Lipka said.

To cancel your membership to freecreditreport.com, call 1-888-829-6560.

On the Net:

• www.annualcreditreport.com