Final answer:
You can obtain a free credit report with no strings attached from AnnualCreditReport.com, which is federally authorized to provide this service. It's crucial to only provide the minimum necessary information, question the use of your data, and regularly monitor your credit history for any signs of unauthorized activity or errors.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you want to get a free credit report with no strings attached, you can use the website authorized by federal law, which is AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only website federally authorized to provide you with free copies of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once per year.
It's important to provide only the minimum information requested by any source and to ask why the information is being collected, how it is going to be used, and who will have access to it. Moreover, you should monitor your credit history for red flags that indicate your identity might have been compromised. Regular checks can alert you to any unauthorized activity or errors on your report, allowing you to address them promptly.