Free CBR

The full text of the Free Credit Reporting Act can be found at the FTC's web site. The free report aspects are explained in less legalese on the Terms and Conditions page at FreeCreditReport.com:

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FCRA DISCLOSURES
The FCRA allows you to obtain a copy of your consumer credit file disclosure from any consumer credit reporting agency for a reasonable charge. The FCRA also states that individuals are entitled to receive a disclosure directly from the consumer credit reporting agency free of charge under the following circumstances:
-You have been denied credit, insurance or employment in the past 60 days as a result of your report
-You certify in writing that you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment in the 60-day period beginning on the day you make the certification
-You are a recipient of public welfare assistance
-You have reason to believe that your file at the agency contains inaccurate information due to fraud
-If you are a resident of Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Vermont, you may receive a free copy of your consumer credit report once each year, and if you are a resident of Georgia, twice each year.
The Act also permits consumers to dispute inaccurate information in their credit report without charge. Accurate information cannot be changed.

Beginning December 1, 2004, the FCRA allows consumers to get one free comprehensive disclosure of all of the information in their credit file from each of the three major credit bureaus once every 12 months through a central source. The Products on this Web Site are not related to the free FCRA disclosure that you are or may be entitled to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of other sites worth mentioning:

CreditReporting.com has good advice for choosing between all the sites that offer free credit reports:

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Free Instant Credit Reports On the Internet

On the Internet, free instant credit reports are often advertised. The free instant credit report is normally only available after you subscribe to a Credit Monitoring Service. Also, the free credit report will only include credit information from one of the three national credit bureaus.

Some advice when choosing your free online credit report service:

Before signing up for such services, we advise you to carefully read all the details of the "free" offer including the monthly and yearly charges. Determine when your card will be charged. Determine how you cancel, just in case you are not satisfied with the service.
If you know which credit bureau report you want, make sure the free credit report is from that credit bureau.
If you want a credit score, does the free credit report include one?
Check if a sample report is available. Review it to make sure the free online credit report provides what you need. For example, sometimes you expect to get creditor addresses with your credit report but not all services provide such addresses.
What other services are offered? Unlimited access? ID Fraud protection? Marketing Lists Opt-Out information?

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ClarkHoward.com provides good basic advice on a variety of topics, including show excerpts on credit reports and credit scores, as well as a Credit Card / Credit Reports "Rolodex" page that also gives the following opt-out information:

To opt out of offers of credit card offers:
• For all three bureaus, call 888-567-8688.
This establishes a two-year opt-out.
For permanent opt-out status, put your request in writing.