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FreeCreditReport.com: Not So Free -- Still
Despite criticism, site ramps up catchy ads touting "free" reports.
 
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Posted 11:14 AM EST February 03, 2009
sewerrat1 SmartMoney Insiders
1 Comments
In addition to the hidden fees, the cancelation processis ridiculous. After my second month's billing, I called to cancel, and got a long lecture about how it was my fault that I got billed these fees because I didn't cancel within seven days. I never received anything that stated that I needed to cancel within seven days. I only asked for a free credit report as advertised. I understand the $1.00 service charge and gladly paid that, but as soon as they have your credit card number they enroll you in this service at 29.95 per month. The service says it is free, so I expected it to be free. They should put a box to check if you only want a free credit report, or another if you want their additional services, but that would not enable them to cheat customers out of at least one month at $29.95, which they never offered to refund because in their opinion it was my fault I got billed.
Posted 11:03 AM EST December 09, 2008
Posted by: peelen1
That free credit report just cost me $29.95.Somebody in the federal gov't should investigate.I called them,the guy I talked to was foreign,he told me I didn't read the fine print.After a few choice words we parted company.I think the they should all be put in jail.
Posted 9:35 PM EST December 08, 2008
Posted by: stifelm
It is always a problem when it is the fox who is watching the henhouse.
Who will tell the bureau that they are not doing a good job if they don't allow their clients to decide if and when they want to buy their services.
Making the cancellation a hard process is just unacceptable and should be banish not only in this case but everywhere.
Posted 4:43 PM EST December 06, 2008
Posted by: in2dwww
I'd gladly pay for my report - but not when it's coming directly from the bureau under some shady name! Sounds like a bait and switch tactic to me. Because I've already pulled my free credit reports from the government-mandated site, annualcreditreport.com, I still check my reports every month or so from creditreport.com.
Posted 2:37 AM EST December 06, 2008
Posted by: donzelion
The problem isn't the hidden fees, so much as the extremely difficult cancellation mechanism. After my second month's payment, I tried to cancel, but the 'system was down.' I paid for a third month, and finally the Indian support staff was able to process a cancellation request, but only after I went through 45 minutes of call waiting etc. I was even asked 6 or 7 times, 'Why do you want to cancel?' The answer, 'The service says it is free, so I prefer not to pay for it' was a bad choice - prompting an argument as they tried to sell me new services, rather than honor my request.
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