Non-Political Public Service Announcement

We here at Swampland spend a considerable amount of time telling you about words spoken by politicians that do not mean what they seem to mean, or don't mean much of anything at all. Along this same vein, let me point you to a recent New York Times story about FreeCreditReport.com, that company with entertaining television ads that promises to help you track your credit score. The thing is FreeCreditReport.com is NOT free. It will run you $14.95 a month.

But don't fret. The good people of the United States Congress did pass a law in 2003 requiring the three credit reporting agencies to provide you with an actual FREE copy of your credit reports. The website for this service is AnnualCreditReport.com. The only drawback: No catchy jingles sung in pirate outfits.