WASHINGTON -- I've been meaning to pull my credit reports for some time.

I, like so many others, am concerned about identity theft or uncorrected errors in my credit files that might ding my credit scores.

When I finally got around to checking my reports, I knew to go to annualcreditreport.com or call (877) 322-8228. I haven't been fooled by those clever ubiquitous commercials for freecreditreport.com with the goofy guy playing a guitar complaining about how his life is messed up because he didn't check his credit report.

But the Federal Trade Commission has received many complaints from consumers who were misdirected from the official centralized site. Every consumer is entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies -- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

In an effort to help keep consumers from ending up on imposter sites or falling for promotions for free credit reports that aren't really free, the FTC is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Free Annual File Disclosures Rule. The Credit CARD Act of 2009 requires the agency to create amendments to the law by Feb. 22, 2010, to prevent deceptive marketing of these reports.

Over the next two months, you'll have a chance to weigh in on the FTC's rule-making effort. Do take the time to comment, especially if you feel you've been deceived. This isn't a trivial matter. These rules will dictate how you get your credit reports. Most of what the FTC is proposing will make things better, but the agency needs to be tougher.

"We are encouraging consumers and anybody else to comment," said Katherine Armstrong, an attorney with the FTC. "We want to know if we got it right."

On one important rule, the FTC has it only partly right.

The agency wants to prevent the credit bureaus from offering any product or service until after consumers get their free reports. The law currently permits the credit reporting agencies to advertise their proprietary products and services through the centralized source, in this case annualcreditreport.com.

Once you've followed directions and entered personal information intended to make sure you are who you say you are, you will encounter advertising for credit scores and credit monitoring services. Then you have to decline the offers before obtaining your credit report. I had to click through two Web pages of such marketing before getting to my report for one bureau.

Although the FTC said it recognized the potential for confusion from such marketing, it initially chose not to restrict it. Now the agency is trying to rectify that mistake.

The FTC is proposing that any advertising or marketing for products or services through the centralized source be delayed until after consumers have obtained their reports either through telephone, mail or Internet requests. Continued...