Complaint Review: CIC Credit Monitoring Service - Orange California

I can understand where you're coming from, but I have to say you're making some pretty broad assumptions. You're assuming that everyone who is having this problem has had some transaction with this company. But how do you explain the people such as myself who have never even so much as heard of this company? I've never requested a credit report from them or accepted or rejected their service. I've never even been to their website. I received an email a couple of days ago from an address I didn't recognize offering a free credit report. I deleted it without even opening it and yet somehow I was still charged 79.95 for this cic credit monitor thing. I was told by my bank that the email has a clause that states deletion of the email signifies acceptance of the service and agreement with the terms. You cannot tell me that this is my fault or that this act is not fraudulent. My bank told me they've had hundreds of complaints and that the only way to stop it is to close out the card and reissue. Even when a credit report is ordered, if a customer cancels a membership within the alotted time they should not be charged. It's as simple as that. The problem we're talking about has nothing to do with failing to read the fine print. I'm glad you had a good experience but give the rest of us a break.

I would like to inform all the people that think the company has done no wrong that is has done wrong. I didn't sign up for it or call to have it set up and then our bank contacted us and told us that there was money taken out of our overdraft and that we need to pay. So to find out what or who took the money out I had to look all over the internet to find out who these people or company were, to get my money back and then they only gave me part of it back and now I'm still short on money. So this company isn't as inisent as some of you think.

Customer service places make mistakes, and a lot of people get screwed. Just because someon has a good experience doesn't mean that everyone has one, so why do they insist that it's the consumers fault if something goes wrong. At the same time, if one person is screwed, that doesn't mean that the entire company is evil, but if enough people are screwed and complaining, then something should be done. Back to the topic...CIC Credit Reporting, I feel is fraudulent. They do not do a very good job (at least they didn't last year when I got my credit report) of explaining that they will be automatically charging you $80/year after a 30 day trial, when all you ask for is a $5 credit report. That would be like me going to a store and asking the sales person for a shirt, and him charging me for an Armani suit, or something. It shouldn't be done. Should we notice that they are going to try and screw us? Yes, because we should by now realize that that is all companies do. But, when that information is typed in size 6 font among the 80 font "FREE, FREE, FREE," it's difficult to know what exactly you are being charged. Last Fall, I got a credit report from CIC, which was about $5, or so. A month later, I got charged the $79.99. I go back to the website and read the fine print, and that they will start a membership for you, even though you didn't ask for it, and aren't even offered the chance to refuse it (which, I think should be illegal). Well, it was my fault, right? Right, I should've read it more carefully. So, after my 30 days, when I notice this charge, I call, and get my cancellation number via email. I don't even ask for my money back, because I did, and still do feel that it was my fault for not reading it. Because I'm not the best record-keeper, I deleted that email ages ago. This week I looked at my credit card bill, and I had yet another $79.99 fee on there. Needless to say, I was not happy. I even went to the website yesterday to see if I could get into my "account." They had no record of me having a membership, I couldn't even get in using my last name, mothers maiden name, and social security number. I've pretty much been screwed by customer service people alot, lately, so I've started getting bitchy. I was actually ruder to the lady from CIC than I have ever been in my life. She told me I still have an account. I told her that I cancelled it, don't want it, and demanded my money back. It was my fault for the first year, even though I did not want it and did not use it, but they had better give my money back. I was charged $35 by my credit card company for going over the limit. I didn't ask for that back, it should'nt have been that close to the limit. They say they will refund the money. With the experience I've had with various companies as of late, I'll believe that when I see it. I do know one thing, I'm definitely keeping this cancellation order. I've also found out that being rude really does help, which is incredibly unfortunate. All these years, I've been nice and it's gotten me nowhere. It's really sad that acting horribly will get you what you deserve.

Excuse me but who are you to tell me that the company did not hold my cancellation? Were you there, Sherlock? I am well aware of every fact and detail of what happened to me and you don't have a clue what you're talking about. I cancelled on DAY 22 of my 'free' 30 day trial. A charge hit my account of DAY 31. I called them up and they said they just got my cancellation and were about to process it. YET I have a copy of the email showing the date that I did send it and I was right. They did not process my cancellation until over a week after I sent it. Do you understand that or should I spell it out more clearly for you? I understand that some people are a little slower than others and I can sympathize. So let me know if you still don't get it. K? The company you defend did not offer to refund my overdraft charges I had to fight for that! I filed formal complaints everywhere. Finally, after alot of frustration they refunded the charges. I NEVER WOULD HAVE INCURRED THOSE CHARGES IF THEY HAD PROCESSED MY CANCELLATION WHEN IT WAS SUBMITTED TO THEM. The copy of the dated email saved me. PLUS MR. KNOW-IT-ALL, attorneys have copies of the replies to my complaints where CIC admit that I was "mistakingly" (HA) charged even though I cancelled within the trial. They do this to alot of people. You really have no clue what you're talking about and your replies are obviously that of a blind cic employee.

I have read the numerous complaints on this company. As I have stated in my response, you all have failed to grasp the concept that FREE is not FREE without obligation. You also seem to have the inability to comprehend the english language. Your request was not held for ten days, Your refund may take seven to ten days. Did you not in fact get a refund? How can you all say the company is stealing from you or a ripoff if they offer a refund??? Seems to me that a fraudulent company would do everything they could to avoid giving contact information???? Points to ponder!!!! Get off your soap box and find a new cause!!! You are not a victim unless you choose to be!

Mark, I won't waste much time on replying to you but perhaps you should read the hundreds of complaints here and you shall see all the various problems with billing, cancelling, obtaining the report,etc. I cancelled within my trial period and was still billed. They held my cancellation for 10 days before they processed it. I DID READ VERY CLEARLY WHAT I AGREED TO! So did many others. Fortunately, I had dated evidence when I cancelled and fought to get my $79.95 AND Overdraft fees. I recovered ALL OF THE MONEY because I won't be a victim of a scam. Thanks for the post but it offers little substance or knowledge.