Comments on: Is FreeCreditReport.com a Scam? http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/ personal finance tips, tricks, and commentary Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:22:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marian http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-2/#comment-268112 Marian Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:54:34 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-268112 Its not a scam but they are trying to fool people with getting free credit report but in the end charging your account 29.95.. Its ridiculous,i didnt even acknowledge them to charge that amount in my account.what theyre doing is illegal trying to fool people and get our money.. Its not a scam but they are trying to fool people with getting free credit report but in the end charging your account 29.95.. Its ridiculous,i didnt even acknowledge them to charge that amount in my account.what theyre doing is illegal trying to fool people and get our money..

]]> By: Jen http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-2/#comment-267532 Jen Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:21:13 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-267532 Oh, another couple of things: If you want to see a 3 bureau report, and you've used your annual one, already, call while you have your trial and mention that you wanted to see all three. They sometimes offer free ones to keep the account open. You can call and get discounted rates on them, too. The key is to call. If you like the idea of keeping your credit report(s) monitored but don't like the cost, call and ask to cancel, and you can be offered up to a 50% discount on the monthly rate for up to 2 years. Just keep track of when the discount will expire. Oh, and the job sites with the links to the credit report sites are not affiliated with Experian. Those job sites are scams that are trying to get into your credit information. I looked into that when it happened to a friend of mine. Oh, another couple of things:
If you want to see a 3 bureau report, and you’ve used your annual one, already, call while you have your trial and mention that you wanted to see all three. They sometimes offer free ones to keep the account open. You can call and get discounted rates on them, too. The key is to call.
If you like the idea of keeping your credit report(s) monitored but don’t like the cost, call and ask to cancel, and you can be offered up to a 50% discount on the monthly rate for up to 2 years. Just keep track of when the discount will expire.
Oh, and the job sites with the links to the credit report sites are not affiliated with Experian. Those job sites are scams that are trying to get into your credit information. I looked into that when it happened to a friend of mine.

]]> By: Jen http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-2/#comment-267522 Jen Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:10:52 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-267522 I have used the services of freecreditreport.com, before. I have not had to pay for anything that I did not choose. For one thing, I realize that anything asking for a credit card is looking to bill me. Therefore, I make certain to do everything to avoid being billed that I can. On the page where you sign up, in the same size font, you are informed of the free trial, the time period, and the need to cancel to avoid monthly fees. When I clicked on the the option to see all three credit reports and scores, there is a page that says, "Submit secure order," and it shows how much that report costs. By the way, this company and many others (freecreditscore.com, creditreport.com and creditscore.com) are owned by Experian, the credit bureau. I agree that there are some idiotic things that are said to people when they call to cancel. There are times when accounts do not get cancelled, as requested. However, I have always had excellent service when I call to cancel, although I do know people who have not. Also, do you really think they want you to cancel without having purchased something? There are stores and restaurants that will not allow people to use the bathroom unless they are paying customers, so why is that a surprise? I feel sorry for the employees whose job it is to talk to the people who call to cancel. Don't you realize that their jobs depend on how many people they can convince to stay enrolled in the monitoring memberships? It's an odd kind of sales. You don't have to wait for a confirmation email. Simply ask for the employee's name and get a confirmation number for the cancellation. You can do the same thing that was mentioned earlier and call back to confirm the cancellation. I've known people who got their money returned to them when it was confirmed that there membership had not been used for the length of time that they had had it, and when there was a record of the previous call to cancel, but the account was not canceled, too. The thing about annualcreditreport.com is that it only allows you all three reports (no scores) one time per year. The thing about the scores is ridiculous, too. There should be one scoring system, and all lenders should be bound to use it. The thing about Experian is that it is the biggest credit bureau, and it is the most commonly used credit bureau. It is important to view the reports from all 3 bureaus and make certain that all information is correct. Mistakes can lower your scores, and the bureaus simply show what the companies who are reporting to them give. Experian has a simple online dispute process, and it is easier to access it if you have a membership (even in a trial) with one of the websites, so you have a current report. To get through Experian's automated phone system, you need the report number from the dispute site, too. If your dispute does not go the way you want, remember that the bureau has to contact the company who reported the item that you are disputing and verify it, so don't blame the bureau. To sum things up: you are responsible for yourself. Read everything. If something wants your billing information, it will charge you. Be nice, but firm in your desire to cancel a membership. Confirm everything. Also, don't knock the monitoring. With these memberships, even in trial, comes fraud resolution, id theft insurance, and some nice discount perks, not just the ability to see your report and score. People with good credit are at the most risk to be targeted for identity theft and fraudulent activity. Finally, I don't deny that there is some corporate b.s. that is involved here, but ultimately, you have to look out for yourself. Nobody else will do it for you, and there are morons in every company. If you have bad luck on the first try, hang up and call back. Ask for a supervisor or to have your previous bad experience reported to a supervisor. At this point in time, credit is a necessary evil. I have used the services of freecreditreport.com, before. I have not had to pay for anything that I did not choose. For one thing, I realize that anything asking for a credit card is looking to bill me. Therefore, I make certain to do everything to avoid being billed that I can. On the page where you sign up, in the same size font, you are informed of the free trial, the time period, and the need to cancel to avoid monthly fees. When I clicked on the the option to see all three credit reports and scores, there is a page that says, “Submit secure order,” and it shows how much that report costs.
By the way, this company and many others (freecreditscore.com, creditreport.com and creditscore.com) are owned by Experian, the credit bureau. I agree that there are some idiotic things that are said to people when they call to cancel. There are times when accounts do not get cancelled, as requested. However, I have always had excellent service when I call to cancel, although I do know people who have not. Also, do you really think they want you to cancel without having purchased something? There are stores and restaurants that will not allow people to use the bathroom unless they are paying customers, so why is that a surprise?
I feel sorry for the employees whose job it is to talk to the people who call to cancel. Don’t you realize that their jobs depend on how many people they can convince to stay enrolled in the monitoring memberships? It’s an odd kind of sales.
You don’t have to wait for a confirmation email. Simply ask for the employee’s name and get a confirmation number for the cancellation. You can do the same thing that was mentioned earlier and call back to confirm the cancellation. I’ve known people who got their money returned to them when it was confirmed that there membership had not been used for the length of time that they had had it, and when there was a record of the previous call to cancel, but the account was not canceled, too.
The thing about annualcreditreport.com is that it only allows you all three reports (no scores) one time per year. The thing about the scores is ridiculous, too. There should be one scoring system, and all lenders should be bound to use it.
The thing about Experian is that it is the biggest credit bureau, and it is the most commonly used credit bureau. It is important to view the reports from all 3 bureaus and make certain that all information is correct. Mistakes can lower your scores, and the bureaus simply show what the companies who are reporting to them give. Experian has a simple online dispute process, and it is easier to access it if you have a membership (even in a trial) with one of the websites, so you have a current report. To get through Experian’s automated phone system, you need the report number from the dispute site, too. If your dispute does not go the way you want, remember that the bureau has to contact the company who reported the item that you are disputing and verify it, so don’t blame the bureau.
To sum things up: you are responsible for yourself. Read everything. If something wants your billing information, it will charge you. Be nice, but firm in your desire to cancel a membership. Confirm everything. Also, don’t knock the monitoring. With these memberships, even in trial, comes fraud resolution, id theft insurance, and some nice discount perks, not just the ability to see your report and score. People with good credit are at the most risk to be targeted for identity theft and fraudulent activity.
Finally, I don’t deny that there is some corporate b.s. that is involved here, but ultimately, you have to look out for yourself. Nobody else will do it for you, and there are morons in every company. If you have bad luck on the first try, hang up and call back. Ask for a supervisor or to have your previous bad experience reported to a supervisor. At this point in time, credit is a necessary evil.

]]> By: James M. http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-2/#comment-265642 James M. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:14:29 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-265642 It IS a SCAM!! In order to cancel you have to call. Well, I've been calling for days to cancel (and not be charged again) and am repeatedly told I will be sent an email confirming, but I've still never that email. The call center personnel are furtive and deceptive. When I ask "will I be receiving my email confirming cancellation?" The response is "you should". Watch out, this outfit is run by thieves! It IS a SCAM!!

In order to cancel you have to call.

Well, I’ve been calling for days to cancel (and not be charged again) and am repeatedly told I will be sent an email confirming, but I’ve still never that email.

The call center personnel are furtive and deceptive. When I ask “will I be receiving my email confirming cancellation?” The response is “you should”.

Watch out, this outfit is run by thieves!

]]> By: Applied to Phony Job Says http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-2/#comment-265272 Applied to Phony Job Says Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:06:15 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-265272 Ms. Amber, in my case, because of the error code, that is, it insisting on a country, where no country field existed, I never actually reached the page which has the credit card field. This was not my fault. One sign of a scam is misspellings (such as when the origin of the scam are foreigners or uneducated persons, such as felons) and when programming errors exist, which are perhaps not really programming errors, but an excuse to make you believe you have not signed up for services that their system actually records as a sign-up. It is scary that anyone claiming to have a possible job for you can ask for your social security number, driver's license, date of birth, etc. I have said it again: when an entity posing as an employer (not part of freecreditreport.com, but with an alliance with creditreport.com) lures sometimes hopeful or desperate prospective job seekers into having to sign up only with freecreditreport.com, with their knowing that a certain percentage (based on probability) of job-seekers will invariably fail to remember or even fail to notice or realize that they have been hoodwinked into a monthly ding to their bank account, it is a clever scam. No doubt if such an alliance is legal, it is unethical. The point to be made here is not that everyone must be careful. The point is also that what they are doing is wrong. Wouldn't we all love to own a slot machine that favors the house in such a way! Freecreditreport.com no doubt gives kickbacks to all the companies out there who direct them to their site. They also have a record of neglecting to follow people's instructions to stop the service and to stop withdrawing money from their bank accounts. They think we are stupid. Follow the money, honey! Ms. Amber, in my case, because of the error code, that is, it insisting on a country, where no country field existed, I never actually reached the page which has the credit card field. This was not my fault. One sign of a scam is misspellings (such as when the origin of the scam are foreigners or uneducated persons, such as felons) and when programming errors exist, which are perhaps not really programming errors, but an excuse to make you believe you have not signed up for services that their system actually records as a sign-up. It is scary that anyone claiming to have a possible job for you can ask for your social security number, driver’s license, date of birth, etc. I have said it again: when an entity posing as an employer (not part of freecreditreport.com, but with an alliance with creditreport.com) lures sometimes hopeful or desperate prospective job seekers into having to sign up only with freecreditreport.com, with their knowing that a certain percentage (based on probability) of job-seekers will invariably fail to remember or even fail to notice or realize that they have been hoodwinked into a monthly ding to their bank account, it is a clever scam. No doubt if such an alliance is legal, it is unethical. The point to be made here is not that everyone must be careful. The point is also that what they are doing is wrong. Wouldn’t we all love to own a slot machine that favors the house in such a way! Freecreditreport.com no doubt gives kickbacks to all the companies out there who direct them to their site. They also have a record of neglecting to follow people’s instructions to stop the service and to stop withdrawing money from their bank accounts. They think we are stupid. Follow the money, honey!

]]> By: Amber http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-264932 Amber Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:54:42 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-264932 so i still love how everyone thinks its a scam maybe you guys should try to read the website it tells you EVERYTHING on there and i know when something says free but still ask for your credit card information that i know they are needing that information for a reason so again READ the website....And as far as the 29.95 for all three reports and to make this clear on freecreditREPORT.com hits the name you only get one report and yes it does tell you bc it did offer it to me as well that we are pleased to offer you an upgrade from the experian report and score to all three reports and you actually have to click on get all three you do have the option to click no thanks contuie with MEMBER benefits. So stop getting mad about stuff you DIDNT READ so i still love how everyone thinks its a scam maybe you guys should try to read the website it tells you EVERYTHING on there and i know when something says free but still ask for your credit card information that i know they are needing that information for a reason so again READ the website….And as far as the 29.95 for all three reports and to make this clear on freecreditREPORT.com hits the name you only get one report and yes it does tell you bc it did offer it to me as well that we are pleased to offer you an upgrade from the experian report and score to all three reports and you actually have to click on get all three you do have the option to click no thanks contuie with MEMBER benefits. So stop getting mad about stuff you DIDNT READ

]]> By: Applied to Phony Job http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-264592 Applied to Phony Job Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:24:29 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-264592 As part of an apparently real online job application [I had applied to job online earlier], on the second page of the follow up job application which was emailed to me by link, I was required to sign up with freecreditreport.com - I actually put in my information to see how far it would go. I did read to the left information that I would be billed on a monthly basis if I did not cancel within 7 days, but after entering my name and address and email in the freecr..p.com application page there was a fake "Country is a required field" error code. Now I suspect that I may have been signed up against my will and without my knowledge of it going through and scammed into purchasing credit report services on the chance that I might get a job through a legitimate hiring authority (who required a preliminary credit report background check. The company emailing me was Long & Perry out of New York ( longandperry.com .) I should have known better. It is not only unethical to require job-seekers to buy something, is illegal and criminal. When I say scam, I do not mean unprofessional or a little shady: I mean SCAM. RIPOFF. I should have been suspicious. Any company that is legitimate would not require a job-seeker to buy anything. If a credit report is needed, the company who wants to check you out should pay for it, not the job-seeker. I am convinced there never was a job. This was just a scam to get as many people as possible to go to freecreditreport.com As part of an apparently real online job application [I had applied to job online earlier], on the second page of the follow up job application which was emailed to me by link, I was required to sign up with freecreditreport.com – I actually put in my information to see how far it would go. I did read to the left information that I would be billed on a monthly basis if I did not cancel within 7 days, but after entering my name and address and email in the freecr..p.com application page there was a fake “Country is a required field” error code. Now I suspect that I may have been signed up against my will and without my knowledge of it going through and scammed into purchasing credit report services on the chance that I might get a job through a legitimate hiring authority (who required a preliminary credit report background check. The company emailing me was Long & Perry out of New York ( longandperry.com .) I should have known better. It is not only unethical to require job-seekers to buy something, is illegal and criminal. When I say scam, I do not mean unprofessional or a little shady: I mean SCAM. RIPOFF. I should have been suspicious. Any company that is legitimate would not require a job-seeker to buy anything. If a credit report is needed, the company who wants to check you out should pay for it, not the job-seeker. I am convinced there never was a job. This was just a scam to get as many people as possible to go to freecreditreport.com

]]> By: Magnicious http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-262672 Magnicious Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:55:06 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-262672 The reason why many people think it's a scam is because of the fact that not only is the website not very clear that you're enrolled in the triple advantage program but the fact that you have to call to cancel. Why can't I cancel the same way that I enrolled into the program? It took one click to enroll, and I could enroll during all hours of the night. YET, for some reason, to cancel, I have to call (during their business hours mind you) and get them to cancel it for me. That's pretty absurd. Lastly, if they really want to serve the customer why not have it to where I can call 24 hours to cancel? I have to call during their 8 a.m. to 6 (I am throwing an estimate) time of cancelling? It's very obvious you're trying to make it as difficult as possible for people to not cancel. I'm sure on average they get at least three months of charges before the person catches on and cancels. Honestly, I wouldn't say it was as deceptive if they had 24 hour business hours for cancelling, an automated 24 hour call service to cancel, OR allowed you to cancel online. It's very obvious they want to make it as difficult as possible to cancel. The reason why many people think it’s a scam is because of the fact that not only is the website not very clear that you’re enrolled in the triple advantage program but the fact that you have to call to cancel. Why can’t I cancel the same way that I enrolled into the program? It took one click to enroll, and I could enroll during all hours of the night. YET, for some reason, to cancel, I have to call (during their business hours mind you) and get them to cancel it for me. That’s pretty absurd. Lastly, if they really want to serve the customer why not have it to where I can call 24 hours to cancel? I have to call during their 8 a.m. to 6 (I am throwing an estimate) time of cancelling? It’s very obvious you’re trying to make it as difficult as possible for people to not cancel. I’m sure on average they get at least three months of charges before the person catches on and cancels.

Honestly, I wouldn’t say it was as deceptive if they had 24 hour business hours for cancelling, an automated 24 hour call service to cancel, OR allowed you to cancel online. It’s very obvious they want to make it as difficult as possible to cancel.

]]> By: Neil http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-261272 Neil Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:40:38 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-261272 In my opinion this trial period is totally a scam. After i signed up the website said that it was still collecting my data for a whole week, so i cancelled on the 7th day because the terms that you have to cancel within 7 days. when i cancelled mine on the 7th day, i still got billed. The woman on the phone told me that when you sign up, that counts for 24 hours immediately. So according freecreditreport.com, in the five minutes it took me to sign up, 24 hours passed. so 5 minutes = 24hours! You have to cancel within 6 real days in order to not be charged. they are playing with words on their terms and conditions. i am going to blast this message on every single website that i possibly can so that i can change as many minds as i possibly can. i hope that no one else gets scammed because of this. In my opinion this trial period is totally a scam. After i signed up the website said that it was still collecting my data for a whole week, so i cancelled on the 7th day because the terms that you have to cancel within 7 days. when i cancelled mine on the 7th day, i still got billed. The woman on the phone told me that when you sign up, that counts for 24 hours immediately. So according freecreditreport.com, in the five minutes it took me to sign up, 24 hours passed. so 5 minutes = 24hours! You have to cancel within 6 real days in order to not be charged. they are playing with words on their terms and conditions. i am going to blast this message on every single website that i possibly can so that i can change as many minds as i possibly can. i hope that no one else gets scammed because of this.

]]> By: Diane http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-260922 Diane Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:51:30 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-260922 BEWARE! Nothing "free" about this website. Don't use this site unless you want to be charged $17 every month for a year -- once you get a credit report, you have automatically "subscribed" without your knowing! BEWARE! Nothing “free” about this website. Don’t use this site unless you want to be charged $17 every month for a year — once you get a credit report, you have automatically “subscribed” without your knowing!

]]> By: Anna http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-257222 Anna Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:54:46 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-257222 I'm not an idiot. I signed up to see what this was all about, saw that I got nothing I really wanted for the free value, and called to cancel my membership before I was charged. This was all withing a matter of 15 minutes. I checked my card balances and then realized that I was charged 29.95 for a credit report. I called back only to be told that I had in fact gave the okay to upgrade (no, I had not) and purchase an additional credit report (again, I had not). I don't even know what my score is because I NEVER LOOKED at any of the scores. I am supposed to be getting a 15.00 refund in 10 days. Therefore, I was charge 14.95 plus the 1.00 extra fee for an hour and a half of frustration. Ridiculous. I’m not an idiot. I signed up to see what this was all about, saw that I got nothing I really wanted for the free value, and called to cancel my membership before I was charged. This was all withing a matter of 15 minutes. I checked my card balances and then realized that I was charged 29.95 for a credit report. I called back only to be told that I had in fact gave the okay to upgrade (no, I had not) and purchase an additional credit report (again, I had not). I don’t even know what my score is because I NEVER LOOKED at any of the scores. I am supposed to be getting a 15.00 refund in 10 days. Therefore, I was charge 14.95 plus the 1.00 extra fee for an hour and a half of frustration. Ridiculous.

]]> By: Dana http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-255402 Dana Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:20:43 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-255402 LOL! This post CRACKS me up! AND I agree w/ Anthony above who said you're all idiots for not reading the site. I have a membership and I LOVE it. It's EXCELLENT to have a way to keep track of every last little thing, and yes if you want to see Equifax and TransUnion scores, of COURSE you'll be charged, the site even tells you that! You think access to your own information should be free? Well who should pay for the site to work? Who should pay for the interface? Who should pay for the monitoring, programming, and updating of the information? Hmmm.... LOL! This post CRACKS me up! AND I agree w/ Anthony above who said you’re all idiots for not reading the site. I have a membership and I LOVE it. It’s EXCELLENT to have a way to keep track of every last little thing, and yes if you want to see Equifax and TransUnion scores, of COURSE you’ll be charged, the site even tells you that! You think access to your own information should be free? Well who should pay for the site to work? Who should pay for the interface? Who should pay for the monitoring, programming, and updating of the information? Hmmm….

]]> By: Randy http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-253732 Randy Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:38:54 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-253732 I used it last night and canceled it the same night, checked my credit card and there was a $1 charge. Called them up to dispute the charge since it's a free credit report and they say the charge was there because I used a premiere site to go to them. Bullshit! I went there from a Sec 8 housing page! Free my arse! BEWARE!!!!!! I used it last night and canceled it the same night, checked my credit card and there was a $1 charge. Called them up to dispute the charge since it’s a free credit report and they say the charge was there because I used a premiere site to go to them. Bullshit! I went there from a Sec 8 housing page! Free my arse! BEWARE!!!!!!

]]> By: Iva http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-243082 Iva Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:57:02 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-243082 I just got off the phone with them, trying to cancel my membership. The guy told me that if I cancel my membership, my credit score will fall to zero!!!! IMAGINE THE NERVE OF THIS GUY. I was, like, WHAT? I said, in that case, please cancel it immediately. I love my score to be a zero. What a bunch of idiots. Obviously, I do not recommend this to anybody. Go to the other sites that offer the same thing. I just got off the phone with them, trying to cancel my membership. The guy told me that if I cancel my membership, my credit score will fall to zero!!!! IMAGINE THE NERVE OF THIS GUY. I was, like, WHAT? I said, in that case, please cancel it immediately. I love my score to be a zero.
What a bunch of idiots. Obviously, I do not recommend this to anybody. Go to the other sites that offer the same thing.

]]> By: Anthony http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-242612 Anthony Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:49:04 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-242612 Everyone of you that say its a scam are idiots. If you ppl werent so lazy and stupid and would read the website it tells you everything that is going to happen. One, its called triple advantage cause it monitors all 3 not because you get all 3, they arent allowed to provide Equifax and Transunion's scores to their members because the other bureaus charge them so thats why you idiots get charged 24.95, again if yall would read you would see this. Everyone of you that say its a scam are idiots. If you ppl werent so lazy and stupid and would read the website it tells you everything that is going to happen. One, its called triple advantage cause it monitors all 3 not because you get all 3, they arent allowed to provide Equifax and Transunion’s scores to their members because the other bureaus charge them so thats why you idiots get charged 24.95, again if yall would read you would see this.

]]> By: kim http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-231522 kim Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:05:02 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-231522 I have been a member of freecreditreport.com for almost a year. I have been building my credit in order to buy a home. I no longer needed there services and tried to cancel but there customer service rep refused to do so. I have been on a roller coaster ride with them for months. I am very angry with them and do not recommend them. they Still have not canceled my membership. I have been a member of freecreditreport.com for almost a year. I have been building my credit in order to buy a home. I no longer needed there services and tried to cancel but there customer service rep refused to do so. I have been on a roller coaster ride with them for months. I am very angry with them and do not recommend them. they Still have not canceled my membership.

]]> By: Carole http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-229392 Carole Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:09:24 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-229392 I went on free credit report signed up and then called in the week to cancel . they gave me a number of cancellation. Then I discovered they were still charging my credit card. It was one I rarely used - they charged for 6 months and now they won't give me my money back. It is a scam.. I went on free credit report signed up and then called in the week to cancel . they gave me a number of cancellation. Then I discovered they were still charging my credit card. It was one I rarely used – they charged for 6 months and now they won’t give me my money back. It is a scam..

]]> By: ron http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-222792 ron Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:23:32 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-222792 Okay yea freecreditreport would give u experian, they use the plus scoring method, which if ur credit is up to par, ull hve a high score..be weary of these sites, go directly to the sites, experian bc there no longer w/ myfico (only transunion/equifax) so ur experian credit score is really ur plus score, for educational purposes, not the actually (fico) tht lenders see...check the small print on the site...only use myfico site, there rated # 1 in giving the most accurate score, why wuld u pay to monitor every month wen u can check ur fico every 4 months for a cheaper price! Myfico for equifax/transunion & the offical experian site for ur plus score, which is not what is seen by the lenders....do ur homework ppl, the only ficos id be concerned ab it transunion/equifax as they r the only compaines tht still let u c ur true fico score and not some "plus score, that isn't even ur real fico (which I say again, only to be seen by lenders/not u! Okay yea freecreditreport would give u experian, they use the plus scoring method, which if ur credit is up to par, ull hve a high score..be weary of these sites, go directly to the sites, experian bc there no longer w/ myfico (only transunion/equifax) so ur experian credit score is really ur plus score, for educational purposes, not the actually (fico) tht lenders see…check the small print on the site…only use myfico site, there rated # 1 in giving the most accurate score, why wuld u pay to monitor every month wen u can check ur fico every 4 months for a cheaper price! Myfico for equifax/transunion & the offical experian site for ur plus score, which is not what is seen by the lenders….do ur homework ppl, the only ficos id be concerned ab it transunion/equifax as they r the only compaines tht still let u c ur true fico score and not some “plus score, that isn’t even ur real fico (which I say again, only to be seen by lenders/not u!

]]> By: Jo http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-222342 Jo Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:54:00 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-222342 @Tom: The call center people felt bad for you? Lucky you! I got yelled at by them when I cancelled my "membership" because it's not actually free as the name is trying to make you believe. @Tom: The call center people felt bad for you? Lucky you! I got yelled at by them when I cancelled my “membership” because it’s not actually free as the name is trying to make you believe.

]]> By: Tom http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-208752 Tom Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:58:21 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-208752 "They obtained my new credit card number through Experian and charged me their $14.95 membership without my approval. SCAM!" DITTO...these guys are frauds. I am getting a good lawyer and going to town on them. Ridiculous. I tried to cancel 22 times in three years and they still try to slip things past my credit cards even when I block them from trying to "renew" my membership without asking. I am going to sue them for harrasment. Even there call center people feel bad for me when I call them. These people are common criminals and not business people. “They obtained my new credit card number through Experian and charged me their $14.95 membership without my approval. SCAM!”

DITTO…these guys are frauds. I am getting a good lawyer and going to town on them. Ridiculous. I tried to cancel 22 times in three years and they still try to slip things past my credit cards even when I block them from trying to “renew” my membership without asking. I am going to sue them for harrasment. Even there call center people feel bad for me when I call them. These people are common criminals and not business people.

]]> By: Matt M http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-207472 Matt M Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:32:28 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-207472 Site is a scam in that they are scamming people out of money. It's not free. And they will figure out a way to bill you. Site is a scam in that they are scamming people out of money. It’s not free. And they will figure out a way to bill you.

]]> By: Shane http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-191482 Shane Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:44:09 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-191482 Site is a scam. Offers free credit report rank and then charged for something I never agreed to pay. I thought they needed my credit card number for information to obtain the free report - Duh. Never give out your credit card number you are GETTING CHARGED. Discover did not support me even though they know its a scam. Both companies suck. Site is a scam. Offers free credit report rank and then charged for something I never agreed to pay. I thought they needed my credit card number for information to obtain the free report – Duh. Never give out your credit card number you are GETTING CHARGED. Discover did not support me even though they know its a scam. Both companies suck.

]]> By: Logan http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-190122 Logan Thu, 11 Nov 2010 03:20:14 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-190122 I would have to disagree with it being a scam. I just recently tried this website out with the intentions of cancelling the 7 day free trial triple advantage membership. My bank account was charged the one dollar charge as i expected followed by a 24.95 charge which of course i didnt expect. Once i called to inquire about the second charge they informed me that it was because i looked at my equifax credit score as well as my experian so because they are not in buisness with equifax i got charged 24.95 for looking at it. Two things came to mind when i was told this.. One its a triple advantage trial membership which in my understanding means i can look at all three. Two, when you go to your login on the site, all three credit scores are already pulled up when you click on the credit score. Once i told them that there is nothing on the website that said they would charge you for that and expalined how the website worked they were more than happy to refund me only 10 dollars of my 24.95. In order to get the remainder i have to fax a letter to a company that is handling refunds for them. Which leads me to believe that im not the only one whose requesting refunds from this website. Obviously its a problem if they are having to bring in another corp. to handle their refunds. What they are doing might not be illegal , but it is in fact misleading and the only reason i could see them doing that is because they are trying to SCAM people out of their money. I would have to disagree with it being a scam. I just recently tried this website out with the intentions of cancelling the 7 day free trial triple advantage membership. My bank account was charged the one dollar charge as i expected followed by a 24.95 charge which of course i didnt expect. Once i called to inquire about the second charge they informed me that it was because i looked at my equifax credit score as well as my experian so because they are not in buisness with equifax i got charged 24.95 for looking at it. Two things came to mind when i was told this.. One its a triple advantage trial membership which in my understanding means i can look at all three. Two, when you go to your login on the site, all three credit scores are already pulled up when you click on the credit score. Once i told them that there is nothing on the website that said they would charge you for that and expalined how the website worked they were more than happy to refund me only 10 dollars of my 24.95. In order to get the remainder i have to fax a letter to a company that is handling refunds for them. Which leads me to believe that im not the only one whose requesting refunds from this website. Obviously its a problem if they are having to bring in another corp. to handle their refunds. What they are doing might not be illegal , but it is in fact misleading and the only reason i could see them doing that is because they are trying to SCAM people out of their money.

]]> By: avatar42 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-187652 avatar42 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 03:03:25 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-187652 As I just found out the hard way DIRECTLY from Experian, the credit score given to consumers is NOT the same as what they give lenders. I called them after being told by several lenders that my credit score was 50-75 points lower then what Experian's own credit score tracking service reported to me. The support person told me the scores are based on different data and this is the case for ALL of these consumer services. To me this makes them ALL scams. As I just found out the hard way DIRECTLY from Experian, the credit score given to consumers is NOT the same as what they give lenders. I called them after being told by several lenders that my credit score was 50-75 points lower then what Experian’s own credit score tracking service reported to me. The support person told me the scores are based on different data and this is the case for ALL of these consumer services. To me this makes them ALL scams.

]]> By: Dave http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-180002 Dave Fri, 24 Sep 2010 02:45:26 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-180002 I just read through this entire article and I want to thank the writer for taking the reader on his step-by-step walk-thru of the credit reporting website. Was I the only one to notice that while the writer is directly speaking about the site Freecreditreport.com and Freecreditreport.com is highlighted and linked throughout the article, whenever you click on one of those links, it takes you to freecreditscore.com. That is not the same website as Freecreditreport.com. Why is that? I just read through this entire article and I want to thank the writer for taking the reader on his step-by-step walk-thru of the credit reporting website. Was I the only one to notice that while the writer is directly speaking about the site Freecreditreport.com and Freecreditreport.com is highlighted and linked throughout the article, whenever you click on one of those links, it takes you to freecreditscore.com. That is not the same website as Freecreditreport.com.

Why is that?

]]> By: JJ http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-164131 JJ Tue, 22 Jun 2010 01:57:42 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-164131 As far as I am concerned it is a scam. You cannot get all the info from the credit reports from creditreport.com First they only work with experian unless you pay a second fee which was not announced before paying the first fee. Second, if you ever want to dispute a claim you will not be able to find the account numbers of the so called debts, and thus they do not deliver you the whole credit report as advertised. It's a scam all the way around. They make it painfully hard to cancel your account. You have to sit on the phone with some halfwitted clown and tell them about 20 times that you want your account closed, while they proceed to try to convince you to stay. By the time your done on the phone you feel like you've been mind-raped. freecreditreport.com can suck my fat ones. As far as I am concerned it is a scam. You cannot get all the info from the credit reports from creditreport.com First they only work with experian unless you pay a second fee which was not announced before paying the first fee. Second, if you ever want to dispute a claim you will not be able to find the account numbers of the so called debts, and thus they do not deliver you the whole credit report as advertised. It’s a scam all the way around. They make it painfully hard to cancel your account. You have to sit on the phone with some halfwitted clown and tell them about 20 times that you want your account closed, while they proceed to try to convince you to stay. By the time your done on the phone you feel like you’ve been mind-raped. freecreditreport.com can suck my fat ones.

]]> By: Ken http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-163221 Ken Tue, 15 Jun 2010 03:55:02 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-163221 SCAM: Cancelled within 3 days and was charged $24.95 for some reason. SCAM: Cancelled within 3 days and was charged $24.95 for some reason.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-162791 Aaron Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:50:24 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-162791 They obtained my new credit card number through Experian and charged me their $14.95 membership without my approval. SCAM! They obtained my new credit card number through Experian and charged me their $14.95 membership without my approval. SCAM!

]]> By: David http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-145371 David Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:29:46 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-145371 The 3-in-1 report sales pitch is also misleading. When you subscribe, find errors and try to fix them - you can't. You then have to contact each credit agency directly, subcribe to their report and work through the maze of steps to get the changes made. Clearly they have no incentive to report accurate information or make any changes in a timely fashion. They all mislead by careful 'word-play' and provide no real benefit. Fortunately, things are changing due to their corrupt and misleading practices. The 3-in-1 report sales pitch is also misleading. When you subscribe, find errors and try to fix them – you can’t. You then have to contact each credit agency directly, subcribe to their report and work through the maze of steps to get the changes made. Clearly they have no incentive to report accurate information or make any changes in a timely fashion. They all mislead by careful ‘word-play’ and provide no real benefit.

Fortunately, things are changing due to their corrupt and misleading practices.

]]> By: Corinne http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-144671 Corinne Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:17:49 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-144671 Jumping on the Ed-Katie-Michele bandwagon here. I too was charged 24.95 (which came to 27.16 due to taxes) despite canceling my membership that same day. When I called to inquire the rep stated it was a fee for ordering an additional detailed report from all 3 credit agencies. I was wary about hidden fees from the start, and would not have agreed to any charges beyond the initial membership fee while navigating the website. IF the fee actually was disclosed beforehand, it was definitely done in an underhanded way. Stick with annualcreditreport.com! Jumping on the Ed-Katie-Michele bandwagon here. I too was charged 24.95 (which came to 27.16 due to taxes) despite canceling my membership that same day. When I called to inquire the rep stated it was a fee for ordering an additional detailed report from all 3 credit agencies. I was wary about hidden fees from the start, and would not have agreed to any charges beyond the initial membership fee while navigating the website. IF the fee actually was disclosed beforehand, it was definitely done in an underhanded way.

Stick with annualcreditreport.com!

]]> By: Michele http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-143401 Michele Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:22:34 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-143401 Ed, Katie...same thing happened to me! I just got off the phone with the sales rep who used the same crappy jargon with me too. Will never use again! Ed, Katie…same thing happened to me! I just got off the phone with the sales rep who used the same crappy jargon with me too. Will never use again!

]]> By: Kacine http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-139742 Kacine Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:31:41 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-139742 I think this sums it up, thanks Doug: Scam? No Purposefully misleading? Yes Bad idea? Yes DON'T USE THIS SERVICE!!!! YOU WILL GET BURNED. BESIDES, THERE'S A REAL FREE SERVICE: AnnualCreditReport.com, which my bank actually recommended. I think this sums it up, thanks Doug:

Scam? No

Purposefully misleading? Yes

Bad idea? Yes

DON’T USE THIS SERVICE!!!! YOU WILL GET BURNED. BESIDES, THERE’S A REAL FREE SERVICE: AnnualCreditReport.com, which my bank actually recommended.

]]> By: Katie http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-139534 Katie Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:28:37 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-139534 SCAM! I had the exact same experience as Ed above described. I supposedly signed up for the report from all three credit reporting agencies knowing it would cost 24.99, however I was totally unaware of this charge. Just like Ed above, the customer service rep and a "manager" claimed that I'd been informed of the extra charge before clicking to get the reports. I do not recall being informed in any way that I would be charged this fee for the three reports. I believe the website is intentionally deceptive! If they did disclose the fee, it was buried somewhere any average user would not notice. SCAM! I had the exact same experience as Ed above described. I supposedly signed up for the report from all three credit reporting agencies knowing it would cost 24.99, however I was totally unaware of this charge. Just like Ed above, the customer service rep and a “manager” claimed that I’d been informed of the extra charge before clicking to get the reports. I do not recall being informed in any way that I would be charged this fee for the three reports. I believe the website is intentionally deceptive! If they did disclose the fee, it was buried somewhere any average user would not notice.

]]> By: Mark Smith http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-138358 Mark Smith Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:34:05 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-138358 It may not be a scam to use but THEY ARE sending scam emails to people to get them to sign up on their site. - Please do not tell me it is not them that is doing it because they are the only ones that are benefiting because of the scam emails. I have been looking for a job for almost 3 months and by now would take almost anything and almost fell into their scam. They have been found guilty of scaming before and have had to pay a fine. They are guilty and I would reconsider endorsing this company. If you are thinking about using them - search it out first. There are legit companies out there - use them. It may not be a scam to use but THEY ARE sending scam emails to people to get them to sign up on their site. – Please do not tell me it is not them that is doing it because they are the only ones that are benefiting because of the scam emails. I have been looking for a job for almost 3 months and by now would take almost anything and almost fell into their scam. They have been found guilty of scaming before and have had to pay a fine. They are guilty and I would reconsider endorsing this company. If you are thinking about using them – search it out first. There are legit companies out there – use them.

]]> By: bilbo http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-137087 bilbo Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:07:39 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-137087 Its kind of amusing that this whole article looks like an advertisement for a very dishonest and very unethical website that is designed to trick and scam people into not only getting a credit report that is not free at all but to continue to charge you for the privilege of looking at your own information. Its comical at best that scams like this exist and even more comical that the whole credit report scam exists. carefully guarded trade secrets. LOL Thats how they calculate your secret score. Is that like the 11 secret herbs and spices at that horrid chicken place or is this similar to Mc Donalds 100%all beef (TM) ..... One would hope that people can see this sort of rubbish for them selves but if they could then they would lobby to abolish corporate run credit agency's. Its kind of amusing that this whole article looks like an advertisement for a very dishonest and very unethical website that is designed to trick and scam people into not only getting a credit report that is not free at all but to continue to charge you for the privilege of looking at your own information. Its comical at best that scams like this exist and even more comical that the whole credit report scam exists. carefully guarded trade secrets. LOL Thats how they calculate your secret score. Is that like the 11 secret herbs and spices at that horrid chicken place or is this similar to Mc Donalds 100%all beef (TM) ….. One would hope that people can see this sort of rubbish for them selves but if they could then they would lobby to abolish corporate run credit agency’s.

]]> By: Spraynard http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-135977 Spraynard Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:22:49 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-135977 I used this service and was horrified to find that my credit is in the 400-450 range. After some digging around I found out that someone had been using my credit to buy scale model replicas of whale genitalia! It turns out that the guy who was ripping me off was also a convicted arsonist and morbidly obese to the point of immobility! When the police led a strike team into his "Den of Debauchery" (a squalid studio apartment 300 feet below a haunted waterpark), I volunteered to be the pointman. After a lengthy climb down some cargo netting, I kicked down the fat man's door. Zounds! In front of me was the fat man, leaning back in his motorized scooter, rubbing together his corpulent claws in satisfaction. He wore a toga made out of soiled bed sheets and wore on his head a paper crown from a BK big kids meal. "I've been expecting you," He said, in a garbled voice that seemed choked by fat. "Now...to battle." Now his scooter made a low whirring noise, and a klaxon sounded from the wall. A hidden compartment opened up on the scooter's backside and four spindly metallic legs sprung out. The legs lifted up the fat man as he let loose a guttural chuckle. Two vulcan cannons emerged from the sides of the scooter and opened fire. I sprung from my crouch and rolled to evade the 20 mm. AP rounds that rocketed from the twin barrels. A second after I had moved the loveseat behind me was ripped apart from the fire. Luckily the fat man was a bad shot. I was now up and running at full speed and I hurdled over an end table and took aim with my Pancor Jackhammer. I pulled the trigger three times and three 12 gauge shells flew from the barrel with explosive force and met their target. The fat mans face. The lead tore through his soft flesh, blowing brain matter and bits of fragmented bone everywhere. It made sense that the arterial spray was so massive, he was a large man. The mechanical legs buckled and the scooter fell on it's side. I had won. Later, I was recognized for my achievment and was awarded the congressional medal of honor. Barack Obama shook my hand and Nancy Pelosi offered me a number of sexual favors that I could take advantage of any time. It was a good arbor day. I used this service and was horrified to find that my credit is in the 400-450 range. After some digging around I found out that someone had been using my credit to buy scale model replicas of whale genitalia! It turns out that the guy who was ripping me off was also a convicted arsonist and morbidly obese to the point of immobility! When the police led a strike team into his “Den of Debauchery” (a squalid studio apartment 300 feet below a haunted waterpark), I volunteered to be the pointman. After a lengthy climb down some cargo netting, I kicked down the fat man’s door. Zounds! In front of me was the fat man, leaning back in his motorized scooter, rubbing together his corpulent claws in satisfaction.
He wore a toga made out of soiled bed sheets and wore on his head a paper crown from a BK big kids meal.
“I’ve been expecting you,” He said, in a garbled voice that seemed choked by fat.
“Now…to battle.”
Now his scooter made a low whirring noise, and a klaxon sounded from the wall. A hidden compartment opened up on the scooter’s backside and four spindly metallic legs sprung out. The legs lifted up the fat man as he let loose a guttural chuckle.
Two vulcan cannons emerged from the sides of the scooter and opened fire. I sprung from my crouch and rolled to evade the 20 mm. AP rounds that rocketed from the twin barrels. A second after I had moved the loveseat behind me was ripped apart from the fire. Luckily the fat man was a bad shot.
I was now up and running at full speed and I hurdled over an end table and took aim with my Pancor Jackhammer. I pulled the trigger three times and three 12 gauge shells flew from the barrel with explosive force and met their target. The fat mans face. The lead tore through his soft flesh, blowing brain matter and bits of fragmented bone everywhere. It made sense that the arterial spray was so massive, he was a large man. The mechanical legs buckled and the scooter fell on it’s side. I had won.

Later, I was recognized for my achievment and was awarded the congressional medal of honor. Barack Obama shook my hand and Nancy Pelosi offered me a number of sexual favors that I could take advantage of any time.
It was a good arbor day.

]]> By: wortz http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-135880 wortz Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:59:16 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-135880 The author of this article and all the responders so far are missing the "BIG PICTURE"...as usual. What is a big scam, is the credit reports/scores in the first place. Why don't we finally realize that the system is obviously only a way to "keep an eye" on us and force is to do or not do things. Isn't it ridiculous in the first place that we can not have access to our own information? That is like not being able to know about our health files, school grades, etc. Why can't people see anything beyond their own noses? Identity theft is another bank invention to keep us in line and in fear constantly. If it is such a big problem, why not give everyone an account number and access to the scores, reports and info 24/7? That would take care of ID theft in a second, but they don't want that to happen, because fear is one more control tool. Don't ever use credit, pay cash and only buy what you can afford and you will never have to worry or care about your credit score. Wake up people! The author of this article and all the responders so far are missing the “BIG PICTURE”…as usual.

What is a big scam, is the credit reports/scores in the first place. Why don’t we finally realize that the system is obviously only a way to “keep an eye” on us and force is to do or not do things.
Isn’t it ridiculous in the first place that we can not have access to our own information?
That is like not being able to know about our health files, school grades, etc.
Why can’t people see anything beyond their own noses?
Identity theft is another bank invention to keep us in line and in fear constantly.
If it is such a big problem, why not give everyone an account number and access to the scores, reports and info 24/7?
That would take care of ID theft in a second, but they don’t want that to happen, because fear is one more control tool.
Don’t ever use credit, pay cash and only buy what you can afford and you will never have to worry or care about your credit score.
Wake up people!

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-135682 Anonymous Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:51:57 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-135682 I don't understand why one should automatically(mandatorily) get signed on while getting their free credit report. If subscription is automatic, why not unsubscribe automatically on the 7th day?? Obviously they cash in on the fact that many will forget to cancel. A clear case of "bad faith". I don’t understand why one should automatically(mandatorily) get signed on while getting their free credit report. If subscription is automatic, why not unsubscribe automatically on the 7th day?? Obviously they cash in on the fact that many will forget to cancel. A clear case of “bad faith”.

]]> By: Ed http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-135139 Ed Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:59:04 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-135139 I just cancelled my subscription after noticing that the 14.99 jumped to 24.99. I inquired and they said that I had ordered a detailed report online. I 100% did not do this. I did click the link to do this - and it takes you to a second page that you have to check and click through - two steps I would remember doing. The service rep insisted that I was just being forgetful. Uh. No. DO NOT use this service people. It is a horrible scam! Hidden charges abound! I just cancelled my subscription after noticing that the 14.99 jumped to 24.99. I inquired and they said that I had ordered a detailed report online. I 100% did not do this. I did click the link to do this – and it takes you to a second page that you have to check and click through – two steps I would remember doing. The service rep insisted that I was just being forgetful. Uh. No. DO NOT use this service people. It is a horrible scam! Hidden charges abound!

]]> By: DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES, FRAUD & SCAM: Free Credit Report/ Experian « Justice In America For All http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-132415 DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES, FRAUD & SCAM: Free Credit Report/ Experian « Justice In America For All Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:42:04 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-132415 [...] http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/ Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Free Credit Report Scam (ishness)Check Your Credit ReportExperian Credit Report + Free ScoreHigh Credit Score Increases Likelihood of ID Theft, Experian Says [...] [...] http://www.fivecentnickel.com/.....om-a-scam/ Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Free Credit Report Scam (ishness)Check Your Credit ReportExperian Credit Report + Free ScoreHigh Credit Score Increases Likelihood of ID Theft, Experian Says [...]

]]> By: Patricia http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-132397 Patricia Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:18:17 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-132397 Thank you so much for this information. I have always been very mindful of my finances and pride myself with my very nice credit score of 728. Although not as nice as you and your wife's. But, I give myself a little handicap for being a single mom for 16 years, supporting two teenagers, no child support and no degree (but still a goal of mine). I (just yesterday) was notified that I will be losing my job due to downsizing and am scared to death, with this economy, that I will lose everything I've worked so hard for. I do have debt I need to remove but wonder if bankruptcy is a better option for me. If I had no credit card debt I feel I can sustain myself even on unemployment, but am truly worried. Thank you so much for this information. I have always been very mindful of my finances and pride myself with my very nice credit score of 728. Although not as nice as you and your wife’s. But, I give myself a little handicap for being a single mom for 16 years, supporting two teenagers, no child support and no degree (but still a goal of mine). I (just yesterday) was notified that I will be losing my job due to downsizing and am scared to death, with this economy, that I will lose everything I’ve worked so hard for. I do have debt I need to remove but wonder if bankruptcy is a better option for me. If I had no credit card debt I feel I can sustain myself even on unemployment, but am truly worried.

]]> By: Your Credit Score Matters | My Journey to Millions http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-132273 Your Credit Score Matters | My Journey to Millions Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:32:01 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-132273 [...] is not referring to those annoying singing dudes.  They are actually paid actors for a company that jumped on the bandwagon and seem to be [...] [...] is not referring to those annoying singing dudes.  They are actually paid actors for a company that jumped on the bandwagon and seem to be [...]

]]> By: Doug http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-132248 Doug Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:25:00 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-132248 Scam? No Purposefully misleading? Yes Bad idea? Yes Scam? No

Purposefully misleading? Yes

Bad idea? Yes

]]> By: Nickel http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-131357 Nickel Thu, 07 May 2009 00:25:26 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-131357 Joanna: Yes, annualcreditreport.com is the real deal, with no strings attached. In fact, I mentioned it in my article above. Rotating through the different bureaus is a great strategy -- I do that myself. The downside is that it doesn't provide you with access to your credit score. For that, you'll either have to pay or use one of these free trials. Joanna: Yes, annualcreditreport.com is the real deal, with no strings attached. In fact, I mentioned it in my article above. Rotating through the different bureaus is a great strategy — I do that myself. The downside is that it doesn’t provide you with access to your credit score. For that, you’ll either have to pay or use one of these free trials.

]]> By: Joanna http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-131356 Joanna Wed, 06 May 2009 23:47:49 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-131356 There is also annualcreditreport.com - now that the 3 credit reporting companies have to allow one free report (from each) per year, this is a way to get the report without paying anything - although each of the individual report companies will charge you a nominal fee (usually around $8) to get your FICO credit score. I typically do one from each of the companies over the course of a year (once every 4 months) to keep track of my credit score and check for any usual activity. The trick is to keep track of which company you use at each time - if you order more than one from them per year, they will charge. Happy credit! There is also annualcreditreport.com – now that the 3 credit reporting companies have to allow one free report (from each) per year, this is a way to get the report without paying anything – although each of the individual report companies will charge you a nominal fee (usually around $8) to get your FICO credit score.
I typically do one from each of the companies over the course of a year (once every 4 months) to keep track of my credit score and check for any usual activity. The trick is to keep track of which company you use at each time – if you order more than one from them per year, they will charge.
Happy credit!

]]> By: Phinance http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-131316 Phinance Tue, 05 May 2009 21:50:36 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-131316 Ramsey is trying to get famous taking the anti-credit score stance, when in reality no one really cares about it unless their score is bad. Ramsey is trying to get famous taking the anti-credit score stance, when in reality no one really cares about it unless their score is bad.

]]> By: Wayne E http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-131290 Wayne E Tue, 05 May 2009 12:33:35 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-131290 Agents have a lot more authority than you realize. Like any salesman, they like to have their hands artificially tied by an invisible "guy in the back," but they are a great advocate for the customer. It's commonly known that you should shop around for better premiums every couple of years due to how fast the landscape changes. Because of that, many agents will do a lot to write your policies. Everything's negotiable, even insurance. Agents have a lot more authority than you realize. Like any salesman, they like to have their hands artificially tied by an invisible “guy in the back,” but they are a great advocate for the customer.

It’s commonly known that you should shop around for better premiums every couple of years due to how fast the landscape changes. Because of that, many agents will do a lot to write your policies.

Everything’s negotiable, even insurance.

]]> By: BenG http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-131279 BenG Tue, 05 May 2009 03:22:07 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-131279 Wayne - Its not the agent that makes pricing decisions on insurance policies. The quoted premiums are at the mercy of the underwriting department. Good luck convincing them to deviate from their system! Wayne –

Its not the agent that makes pricing decisions on insurance policies. The quoted premiums are at the mercy of the underwriting department. Good luck convincing them to deviate from their system!

]]> By: Wayne E http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-131277 Wayne E Tue, 05 May 2009 03:10:17 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-131277 Sorry for being unclear. I was initially asserting that, for me, the FICO score is not important enough to track, per Dave Ramsey. And in response to your statement that any financial guru who advises his followers to ignore the credit score is almost reckless, I posited that Dave's intention probably is to make a bold statement that flies in the face of what passes for common knowledge about why someone should maintain their credit score. Yeah, I'd take a higher score, too. But, Dave wasn't referring to someone passively observing, "Oh, my credit score is high... Lucky me!" That's obviously not the target audience when he refers to the practice of worshiping at the altar of FICO. If you're living a debt-free life, the potential non-lending difference of a low FICO score is just immaterial. Honestly, if you want lower premiums on your property insurance, you can negotiate a better deal regardless of what your credit score is. Point your agent to your claim history, safety provisions, household income, neighborhood, etc. I think I just read something about haggling recently. :) Sorry for being unclear. I was initially asserting that, for me, the FICO score is not important enough to track, per Dave Ramsey.

And in response to your statement that any financial guru who advises his followers to ignore the credit score is almost reckless, I posited that Dave’s intention probably is to make a bold statement that flies in the face of what passes for common knowledge about why someone should maintain their credit score.

Yeah, I’d take a higher score, too. But, Dave wasn’t referring to someone passively observing, “Oh, my credit score is high… Lucky me!” That’s obviously not the target audience when he refers to the practice of worshiping at the altar of FICO. If you’re living a debt-free life, the potential non-lending difference of a low FICO score is just immaterial.

Honestly, if you want lower premiums on your property insurance, you can negotiate a better deal regardless of what your credit score is. Point your agent to your claim history, safety provisions, household income, neighborhood, etc. I think I just read something about haggling recently. :)

]]> By: Nickel http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/05/04/is-freecreditreportcom-a-scam/comment-page-1/#comment-131276 Nickel Tue, 05 May 2009 02:31:21 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3332#comment-131276 Wayne: As I alluded to in my initial response, I couldn't agree with you more that taking "incurring debt for the sake of a number" is stupid. I also agree that "pretending that a good credit score is the secret to becoming wealthy is bad advice." I have to admit, however, that it's unclear who you're arguing against here... I have yet to hear <i>any</i> reputable financial expert to profess these things to be true. Regardless, if given the choice between a high and low credit score, I'd choose the high one. Wayne: As I alluded to in my initial response, I couldn’t agree with you more that taking “incurring debt for the sake of a number” is stupid. I also agree that “pretending that a good credit score is the secret to becoming wealthy is bad advice.” I have to admit, however, that it’s unclear who you’re arguing against here… I have yet to hear any reputable financial expert to profess these things to be true. Regardless, if given the choice between a high and low credit score, I’d choose the high one.

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