Never order a free credit report from a service that makes you use a credit card.

Congress has been closely watching the recurring nightmares resulting from Identity theft. Over the last year, through the Federal Trade Commission, certain parts of the country were given the ability to get a free credit report from the three large data collectors, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Analyzing your credit report is not only a great way to see if your identity has been stolen, but an effective way to manage your credit past and prepare for future credit needs.