annualcreditreport.com is the federally mandated web site to get your free credit report.  You are able to get 1 free credit report per year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.  The other web sites that promise free credit reports are not free. (including the ones with the catchy songs.)

If you go to annualcreditreport.com you are then redirected to the web sites of the major credit reporting agencies.  When you get there the credit reporting agencies then try to sell you stuff like credit protection or your FICO  (credit) score.  You do not have to pay any money for your credit report.  Usually in small print in the bottom right hand corner it says annual credit report.  Click on this link and again on the next page until the web site asks you some questions.  You have to answer the questions correctly to insure that it is you getting the report.   When you complete the  questions your credit report should pop up and you will be able to print it out.  You can get one of these from each of the top three credit reporting agencies per year.  (Equifax, Transunion, or Experian).  If you pull one every 4 months you can keep updated on your credit throughout the year and catch any problems as they occur.