Experian - FreeCreditReport uses great deception with their FreeCreditReport; which costs 12.95 per month ripoff Allen Texas
Experian has resorted to tricking us consumers into signing up for paying $12.95 per month for information that we have a right to have at no cost.
Last year, I was able to get and review my credit reports from all 3 bureaus as per the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. This year, I did the same. But Experian changed their system. This time, they signed me up for automatic protection at a cost of $12.95 per month. What does the word FREE mean?
Next year, I will go back to requesting by mail.
As for this year. I noticed it immediately. I called them and was assistaed by telephone. They claim that they will adjust this charge within 7-10 days. They went through standard account closure garbage, why do you wish to cancel this account? I told them, I do not have an account. You are out of your flippin mind if you think I am paying you $12.95 per month. These are the same guys that have failed to remove a public records item even after I have proven it to be invalid.
Experian sells the disease and the cure; much like Qwest sells your phone number and then charges the consumer for blocking features and services. It is about time that the Better Business Bureau steps in, I believe. Experian is 'too big for the britches.' Class action suit anyone?
They took money from my bank account. This is what it looks like if they take it from yours: "03-10-2007 CIC*Triple Advantage 877-4816825 CA 12.95." I was unable to locate the cancellation on their website. I was going to call them anyway and insist upon a refund anyway. It's a dirty trick.
On the phone, they claim that you must cancel within one month. The problem is, I never signed up. I just want my credit report from those monsters each year. I am entitled to that.
The representative was polite. I reciprocated. I also was very enthusiastic about the fact that I will ask for helpf rom the BBB if they fail to gove me a refund.
Mic
Toms River, New Jersey
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Steve [Not A Lawyer]
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
The disclaimer right from the home page of freecreditreport.com
#6Consumer Suggestion
Tue, March 27, 2007
This information comes directly from the center of the home page in a big blue box:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
When you order your free report here, you will begin your free trial membership in Triple AdvantageSM 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.
ConsumerInfo.com and Freecreditreport.com are not affiliated with the annual free credit report program. Under a new Federal law, you have the right to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies. To request your free annual report under that law, you must go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
Remember, all free credit reports are not created equal. Get your Free Credit Report and Credit Score from the leading provider of consumer credit monitoring products.
Steve [Not A Lawyer]
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Mic, they do disclose the membership, AND
#6Consumer Suggestion
Tue, March 27, 2007
Mic,
They count on people not fully reading everything before ordering.
You CAN get your FREE credit reports from that site without buying anything else, as provided for under the law. However, these free reports DO NOT include scores, or multiple access, etc.
Therefore it would not be possible to sue and win as everything is fully disclosed.
However, I do agree with you on the bait and switch thing. It is clearly unethical and I believe is a reflection on who they really are and how they do business.
I'm glad you got your money back.
Mic
Toms River,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Thank you for the rebuttles; I got my refund
#6Author of original report
Tue, March 27, 2007
Thanks Steve and Rob (I think it was).
I still feel slighted by going to FREEcreditReport.com and getting sucked in to paying 12.95 per month. This website is backed by Experian--they are making money off of suckers like me. Not this time though, I got a refund.
I am up for a class action lawsuit if anyone is interested. Experian is just too big and in a lucrative position for this kind of a scam. It's like if the IRS opened up a site called FreeTaxAdvice.com and then charged for its use.
Am I wrong or am I right?
Robert
Wallingford,Connecticut,
U.S.A.
You used to the wrong web site.
#6Consumer Comment
Tue, March 13, 2007
If you have seen the commercials on TV for freecreditreport, they disclose (in very small type) that you are actually signing up for a credit monitoring program, thus the monthly charge. I don't think that they are associated with Experian though.
You should have gone to the annualcreditreport web site. There you can get your report from each of the credit reporting agencies for free.
Steve [Not A Lawyer]
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Some info for Mic on "free" credit reports
#6Consumer Suggestion
Tue, March 13, 2007
Mic,
The ONLY official site to get your FREE credit reports from all three bureaus is annualcreditreport.com. That's it.
You can also contact each credit bureau individually by phone and order it.
Keep in mind that the free credit reports DO NOT provide scores. They are not required to.
For dispute purposes, you are better off getting the individual report from each bureau directly as it has a control# on it you will need to have to make the disputes.
NEVER use the online dispute process as they push you to do. You have no proof of what you disputed this way, and cannot sue them if they fail to comply due to this lack of proof, and they know this.