I see a lot of ads for free credit reports these days. Some are catchy TV ads with baby faced rockers lip syncing the jingle. Others are lined up on web pages. They all advertise free credit reports.
But how can companies spend all of this money promoting a free service? If you have been around the block a time or two, as I have, you probably realize that there must be some kind of catch. Indeed, many of these services are free. But they are also deisgned to get members to sign up for paid offers.
One popular and highly exposed website has thousands of Better Business Bureau complaints right now. When a visitor registers, they must supply a credit card number.