You see the ads everywhere on the net - Free Credit Report. The problem is that consumers who sign up for their free reports often find themselves enrolled in a continuing program, one that charges fees for all subsequent services.

Recently Consumerinfo.com doing business as Experian Consumer Direct agreed to pay $300,000 to settle charges by the FTC that the company’s ads for its “free credit report” offer failed to disclose adequately the fact that consumers who signed up would be automatically enrolled in a credit-monitoring program and be charged $79.95.

The company had already paid $950,000 in August of 2005 to settle similar charges. Consumers were asked for credit card numbers to establish their accounts and automatically billed the $79.95 annual membership fee after a 3-month trial period. The FTC charges that following this settlement, the company continued to run deceptive ads about “free” reports.

Again, every consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually. These can be obtained by going to www.annualcreditreport.com.