FreeCreditReport.com Scam

As I mentioned briefly before, I visited freecreditreport.com to view a copy of my credit report. After entering my personal information - including a credit card number - the site told me that they were unable to verify my identity, and that I would not be charged.

Weeks later, I get a bank statement, and it turns out they charged me $79.95 to enroll me in their credit check credit monitoring service. Additionally, the unauthorized charge caused me to pay overdraft fees of $150.00 to Bank of America. Thankfully, BofA credited my account for both the charge and the overdraft fees.

Of course, I sent a letter to Consumerinfo.com (the company that owns Freecreditreport.com) and requesting a refund of both the $79.95, and the $150.00 in overdraft fees. Over a month later, I got a letter back from them stating that they would give me a pro-rated refund of $61 and change. This is completely unacceptable.

Their "pro rating" is predicated on the false belief that I was in fact a member of the credit check service. I was not. They never sent me any login information to access the site, and of course, I never did use the service.

I'm curious as to whether anyone else has had this happen to them. If so, please drop me a line or post a comment. I'd like to know what resolution, if any, you came to with consumerinfo.com. If this is their standard procedure, I'll most likely file a suit against them in small claims court.

Comments

[karrie]

I have not had this happen, but thanks for the warning. I will stay away from that service and instead request my report directly from the major agencies. (And while we are on this subject ... Why are their so many credit reporting agencies? And how is it that they can charge me for my own, personal information, even while I have no power over when, how, or why they collect it? I have been fighting them for years to correct something on my report, and no one will do it. Basically, my mother and I have very similar - although not identical - names, and her credit cards frequently show up on my reports. No one will fix this. Ugh.)

[julie]

How can it be a free credit report if they need a credit card number .. it is your info so how can they charge you for your own info.. and why can they get your info an charge you for it an you cant get it unless you pay them ????? Julie

[Hisham]

Hi,

So far the first part is true, it happened to me. So far they charged $1.00 to my account. That charge was named : Pos Purchase Cic*credit Report Fee. I received nothing from them yet. Nothing in the email. I never usually use any of the stuff they place on ads and websites. I actually signed up for it to see whats it all about. But I guess i should've researched like i always did. Anyways, if you've got any more info about this do contact me. I'd like to get in touch and talk about this issue. If its really a scam, maybe we can stop it before more people fall for it.

[t daddy]

Just trying to get "free credit report" so I can get some kind of perspective on my future investments. How can something be "free" if they want a creditcard number all the time.this is a rip-off as far as i am concern and i would warn other users to watch carefully of the information they give this net!darkeyes.

[gene bender]

I logged in to freecreditreport.com and filled out the first page. Then on the second page they wanted more personal information. ie: credit card #, social security #, answer to the secret question etc.

I may not be the brightest bulb in the barn, but I'M NOT STUPID!
I backed out of that site in a hurry.
I tried Yahoo free credit report and it worked fine. Maybe you could try it too.

[Chris]

Since when does "free" mean $89.95?

[Chris]

Since when does "free" mean $89.95?

[DJA]

"I tried Yahoo free credit report and it worked fine. Maybe you could try it too."

Yahoo uses the same company: Consumerinfo.com

[JANET]

Thanks for saving me from a major headache. I was going to look at my credit report because I am job searching and two that I recently applied for were going to run a credit check! This is new to me?! Anyhow, since I am unemployed, you can imagine what kind of damage it would have done to me. So know that I am truly grateful that you posted this and again-Thanks!!!

[Justinian Lane]

If you're unemployed, you're entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each bureau - just call them and tell them you're about to go looking for a job, and they'll send you a free one.

[Teena]

You are exactly right? I mean how is paying $9.95 to become a member, and receive spam for e-mail every day, a free credit report. Please once mean what you say.

[SUSAN T.]

Thank you for the info. I got through the first page and got off freecreditreport real fast. Something should be done about this false advertising! I would like to know what steps can be made. Please post more info if anyone can.
SUSAN T.

[Janet Allen]

This JUST happened to me...I've been on the phone getting bounced back and forth for the past THREE HOURS! No login info, they have my credit card number, and no one will tell me whether i'm being charged or not!

[Lauren]

Why do you have to pay to get your own information. I've gone to at least five site tonight that say get you FREE credit report instantly within 60 seconds to 2 minutes. I start to fill out the information get to the next page and they want your credit card number. Well what if i don't have one, don't use them anymore maybe thats why i need my credit report so i can get it in good standing!! I don't believe that you should have to pay for credit report.

[David]

I've been charges $39.80 so far and have recieved nothing. . .this is a complete scam

[creditmonitoringsucks]

Never mind the fact that the credit check service being based on Experian's database is woefully inadequate.

Experian knowingly makes credit reports for fraudulent SSN users and hides the data from the rightful number holder.

"Don Girard, a spokesman for Experian, confirms that separate credit files can exist based on the same Social Security number. But he maintains that the two credit files remain totally unrelated if the Social Security number is associated with two different names. "We don't link your file to the thief's file via Social Security number," he says. "The Social Security number is not enough to identify a person within the Experian system — it requires a name and an address." (A TransUnion spokesman said the bureau is currently investigating this issue. Equifax did not provide a relevant comment.)"

http://www.smartmoney.com/debt/advice/index.cfm?story=ssn2004

Unfortunately the only person who needs a name address and SSN to get a report is a consumer.

Given this public posturing can anyone wonder how they can justify their business fraud tools Social Search showing up to 20 consumers associated with the SAME SSN??? Found here-- http://www.experian.com/products/social_search.html

"Returns up to 20 consumers reported with a given Social Security number for a complete history on the social."

If a social has a history and it belongs to a single person? What value does credit check monitoring or even credit reporting actually have to consumers being charged for yearly monitoring based on their business model?

[moose]

im on trying to get one for my future wife, shes had problems with an ex and im glad i stumbled across this, i guess im going to try yahoo instead, dont have any cc#'s though, we dont have any

[christmasiscoming]

I also got duped. Go to any one of their sights: freecreditreport.com, consumerinfo.com or experian.com. Then, observe the overwhelming occurence of the word "FREE". I fell for the scam and it left me humiliated and embarrassed. The phrase "Class Action" comes to mind when I think about it. Overall- horrible service and horrible customer relations. Their sights don't even contain a valid link to an independent company(BBB) that may rate the performance. This service pretends it is there to aid and protect the consumer(at least the ones with credit card #'s) when in all reality it is a service that is a perfect model of what consumers should avoid. I should have researched more before trying them. My advice is to steer clear and avoid companies/services they link to such as Lendingtree which appears to be related to all the other websites anyway. HORRIBLECASHCOWHORRIBLECASHCOWHORRIBLECASHCOW

[Laszlo]

Any time you are considering starting a new relationship with some company/service/etc., you must ask yourself what it costs those folks to run their ads, pay their employees, rent offices, etc., ad nausium, and then ask yourself where they get the money.

Typically they get all that money from YOU, the target of same advertising; save, of course, for philanthropic and many non-profit groups public service groups. Well it's pretty obvious these T.V.-spamming post-90's-credit-boom bottom-feeders (freecreditreport.com) aren't philanthropic. So beware! They pay themselves somehow, and WE are how.

I'm glad to have found this page. I was considering trying out their "free" service, thinking maybe there were making their money on ad views on their web site or something. Alas, it sounds by listening to a few of you folks like these people are liars and frauds.

I guess I'll just chalk this up as yet another faceless, untouchable corporation somewhere which lies, cheats, and steals in the name of greed at others' expense.

[Bill Forrester]

Here it is DECEMBER 1, 2004, and FREECREDITREPORT.COM (AKA CONSUMERINFO.COM) is still spamming the cable channels with their scam.

The "FREE" report is nothing but a come-on to get you to sign up. They then bill you for a "subscription program" without your know3ledge or permission.

Yopu DON'T need scam companies like this to get your free yearly report. Just call directly to Equifax and ask!

Examine the FREECREDITREPORTS website carefully! Read the fine print! You will discover that you ar actually buying into a SUBSCRIPTION service that will cost you up to 80 dollars per year. In fact, you nay not even find out until after you have signed up.

Many TV "infomercial" advertisers work this way, especdially the phoney "diet pill" hawkers who give you a "free" month's supply for the cost of shipping, but (without your knowledge or consent!) sign you up for a rercurring monthly sales plan. What infuriates me is that, after numerous complaints and investigations, spanning years, these criminals are still in business!

DOn't fall for the scams advertised by these criminals.

Call EQUIFAX, or a reputable nonprofit credit counselling center in your city/town and find out how you can get a real credit report that actually is free.

[Lynette]

Thanks to everyone out there who took the time to share their trials and research. I was looking into and visited BRIEFLY freecreditreport.com because of a commercial I saw on TV. I decided not to go that route due to the questions asked and information they were requesting. Think I'd rather just go to the three sources who provide the information, unless there is someone out there who know of a better, safer, free way to do it. :)

[dale]

I e mailed the company about why I can not get a free report,and they said it is their policy to charge you the fee to monitor it.They say it is advertisment.They say when you get the report,call and cancel

[PAR]

With the credit free credit reporting I actually am currently using FreeCridtProfile. I too was very reary about this free report but it actually turned out not too bad. I was able to use their service for 30 days free and if you didn't call the 800 number to cancel you would be billed $79 for the year. In my case I actually forgotten to call and cancel but I am enjoying having my credit report, score, analysis of what my available credit would be towards a mortgage note and constant email alerts. I am planning to cancel before the year is up and will stick to strictly getting my credit report free from reputable sites. Guess what FreeCreditProfile.com has the legitimate BBB seal. If you need more assurance about this site just run them through BBB website.

good luck cancelling after a year...ive been trying to cancel for quite some time...nobody ever picks up the phone...

[KMK]

FreeCreditReport.com is a complete scam. I tried the 30 day trial for my fiance and I. I called to cancel before the trial period expired. I waited on hold for close to 45 minutes & also tried the webiste that the automated system said to use if before the 30 day trial period and it led nowhere. I finally got someone who spoke broken English, and was extremely rude when I told him I wanted to cancel our memberships. I received the cancellation emails and then "POOF" I had a $89.95 charge for the subscription on my debit card. I called them back and told them that I did not authorize the charge and they told me they had no record of my cancellation, and would refund my account a prorated amount, but not the +-/$ 70.00 fees for them overdrawing my account. HMMMM??? They stopped one but not the other? WHAT A SCAM. Their Terms and Conditions say that you can cancel with no obligation before the 30 day period. LIARS!! I had to call my bank, file an affidavit, cancel my card and then wait for a new one to be issued. STAY AWAY....no matter what the fine print says.