FreeCreditReport.com is a TOTAL SCAM!!!

G35stilez · 03-30-06, 10:00

Everyone has seen the commercials, heard the radio ads, but do they know what is really behind this "company"?

This is an area where being frugal or uneducated can really hurt you. I am a perfect example. Having never checked my credit (I've only had cards for ~2 years), I decided to take advantage of this "great" offer before I began my new vehicle search.

I logged onto the website and was prompted for my address, social security #, and credit card number to test. Now, after settling this whole mess (I will get to that in a minute), I was informed to never give out your credit card # unless buying something...Dumb-me thought it was so they could check my credit. But anyways, moving on...

I chose the "Free" service which was a basic summary of your credit for NO CHARGE. The other options were much more in-depth and were priced accordingly.

Fast-forward four months and I check my particular card (given to FCR.com) and find an over-draft charge. Now, I only use this account to pay my rent. I deposit the respective amount in each month, cut a check, and repeat. The card is an HSBC Mastercard Checking Card for what it's worth. I am phasing it out of my cards very soon since its the locations don't exist in CT.

I then Google'd this CIC*Triple Advantage charge for $12.95 for the past four billing cycles and find a plethora of gripes with this company completing false charges, left and right. Here are a couple links:

http://ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff151787.htm

http://badbusinessbureau.com/reports/ripoff143020.htm

After working closely with HSBC, we get a customer rep on the phone from this "company". This rep defined the term "clueless". Clearly, she was reading right from her computer screen script. You could actually hear her sounding out words. I sat there and argued with how I was charged for a service I: 1) never agreed to and 2) never received any "service" for. She argued back how I was signed up for a "Monthly Credit Checkup Club".

In the end, I was able to get two out of four payments re-imbursed. I am still working with HSBC for the overdraft charge to be removed. However, I learned a couple lessons:

Always check all of your debits
Always monitor your accounts
If it's too good to be true, it probably is

NT2SHBBY · 03-30-06, 10:14

hmmm.....and all I gotta say about that is this...

If a company tells you something is free, and they need your CC# to either verify something or hold "just in case you go over your free period", it's ********!

If it's supposed to be "free" you shouldn't have to give your CC#....I walk whenever I see these scams, because even if you do get your free time out of the deal, you end up having the hardest time canceling after the free period is over (either the call never connects, no one ever picks up, etc..)

companies do this purposely for the idiots who don't care and don't check their statements....they pray on people who just cut checks blindly (and believe you me there are plenty of em out there)

John Styrnol · 03-30-06, 10:57

Thanks for the heads up Sean.

BlackSunshine · 03-30-06, 11:36

Yeah I was actually just browsing that website yesterday afternoon... I haven't ever checked my credit score. I have never missed a payment, but I've only had a credit card for a little over 4 years and have only been making a house payment for a few months. Everything else was paid in cash, so I was curious how it would turn out.

Anyways, they started asking me for my SSN and credit card #, yada yada yada... knew it was too good to be true. The SSN I can see, I guess, but a CC#? No way.

Glad you got it worked out, Sean.

Prometheus · 03-30-06, 11:54

The easiest and best way to check your credit score are directly through the three credit bureaurs, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. The Fed passed a law last year saying you can legally get 1 report per calendar year per company for no charge. The recommended way is to do one every 4 months. For example, Experian in April, Equifax in August, TransUnion in December. Easiest way is to just contact the company. They're *usually* helpful as it is now a federal law with hefty punishments.

kompressornsc · 03-30-06, 01:19

First of all, you can check for free once a year. www.annualcreditreport.com The 3 bureaus will try to get you to buy their enhanced services, but the basic report (no scores) is free.

Second, freecreditreport.com does say that you are signing up for a monthly monitoring service-I think they're pretty up front about it.

My favorite is www.myfico.com I do the Suze Orman kit every couple of years - it writes the letters for you, looks for mistakes / contradictions, etc. Only like $44.

truzoom · 03-30-06, 02:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by kompressornsc

First of all, you can check for free once a year. www.annualcreditreport.com The 3 bureaus will try to get you to buy their enhanced services, but the basic report (no scores) is free.

Second, freecreditreport.com does say that you are signing up for a monthly monitoring service-I think they're pretty up front about it.

My favorite is www.myfico.com I do the Suze Orman kit every couple of years - it writes the letters for you, looks for mistakes / contradictions, etc. Only like $44.

Posted it before me.

But that is the correct website to go to for your 'legally given' free credit report.

Pats300zx · 03-30-06, 03:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by truzoom

Posted it before me.

But that is the correct website to go to for your 'legally given' free credit report.

Absolutely. I got mine a couple on months ago through this site. No issues at all.

kpounds · 03-30-06, 03:15

On the front page of the FCR site it says "When you order your free report here, you will begin your free trial membership in Triple Advantage Credit Monitoring. If you don't cancel your membership within the 30-day trial period, you will be billed $12.95 for each month that you continue your membership." If you would've cancelled before 30 days, it would've been free.

I've used Privacyguard and liked it alot. It gives all 3 CRA data & scores. 2 month trial for $1. Same deal, have to cancel before 60 days or get charged the monthly fee.

DocHoliday · 03-30-06, 04:34

If you call a mortgage broker and tell them you are interested in a loan they will run them for you.

I never had a problem with them sorry to hear about your problems

Scottwax · 03-30-06, 05:46

I used Free Credit Report.com to check my credit score and then I cancelled the monthly service immediately. No problems.

I wouldn't use them again because their ads make no mention you are signing up for a service that you have to cancel in 30 days to avoid a monthly charge.

G35stilez · 03-31-06, 01:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

I used Free Credit Report.com to check my credit score and then I cancelled the monthly service immediately. No problems.

I wouldn't use them again because their ads make no mention you are signing up for a service that you have to cancel in 30 days to avoid a monthly charge.

Yep. When I did this 4 or so months ago, I honestly didn't see any bit of a membership agreement.