Consumer group criticizes Web sites that offer "free" credit reports
A new study published in Consumer Reports examines Web sites that offer paid access to consumer credit data in combination with credit scores, credit monitoring, and identity theft insurance.
Consumer WebWatch concludes most of these sites offer expensive services that consumers either don't need or can get for free at AnnualCreditReport.com (which credit bureaus were forced to create as the result of a 2003 law giving consumers free access to their credit reports).
