FreeCreditReport.com’s ad makes it sound like it’s a free place to get your credit report. Not so, says Consumer Reports ShopSmart.

If you click on FreeCreditReport.com’s Web site to order your credit report, you’re automatically billed $14.95 a month for a credit-monitoring service after a free trial. So essentially your free credit report costs you about $180 a year. The site is just one of many credit report Web sites with “free” in their name trying to entice consumers. Consumer Reports ShopSmart says it’s money you don’t have to spend. You’re already entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every year. To get those, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s the only Web site where each year you can get free credit reports, no strings attached, from all three major agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You can also call 877-322-8228.

It’s a good idea to stagger your requests. You can order one of your reports every four months. Ordering that way gives you an opportunity to check on your credit throughout the year.

Once you have your credit report, Consumer Reports ShopSmart says check it for accuracy and possible fraud. You can get advice on what to do if you find errors in your credit reports at www.ConsumerReports.org/cro/money/credit-loan/credit-reports-6-07/overview/0706_credit_reports_ov.htm.