Knowledge is power in controlling your credit.

Byline: Paul Wenske

Mar. 1--KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Up to now you had to shell out $10 or more to get all the dirt -- the good and the bad -- on what your creditors were saying about you.

But starting today, Missouri and Kansas residents can request one free credit report each year from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies.

It's a big deal, experts say. It not only encourages consumers to check their credit histories -- which include balances on their credit cards and whether they make their car and house payments on time -- but lets them see whether the information is accurate.

"Reviewing your credit reports on a regular basis can help you spot not only inaccuracies that could hurt your credit rating but also fraudulent attempts by identity thieves to steal your credit," Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon said.

"This is very timely in light of the ChoicePoint situation," Nixon said.

ChoicePoint, one of the largest data-management services, said last week it inadvertently sold private…