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.

[jack]

many thanks we need more folks like you

[MG]

I've talked to a supervisor at Freecreditreport.com suggesting that they send a CONFIRMING email that you are now going to be charged a continuing $12.00/month fee, or better yet, an email asking you to "Click here" if you would LIKE to continue membership. Of course, I know that my suggestion will not have any effect. I was charged several months unbeknownst to me because the listing for the charge on my credit card statement in no way hints who it's from, "cicadvantage." This business is as sneaky as it gets, but the representative blames me for not calling within 30 days, as stated in their terms. Without a confirming email they are taking advantage of everyone who goes by the false advertising in the title of their site. Whew! Thank you for letting me blow off steam and for showing me that I am not alone!

[Brad]

The freecreditreport.com site wont even let you cancel if you follow their cancellation procedure of emailing Support I sent 3 emails and recieved no response and was charged a month later $12 for the service I didnt even enjoy. I just filed a complaint with their local Better Business Bureau and I encourage you all to do the same if you have been scammed by this company. I know if Im not refunded Im going to make a nice stop by their office while Im out there on business.

[Ann]

YES I just checked my credit card statement and boom a $12.00 fee appeared. I got a lady with broken English who said they never got an email with my cancellation I wanted. It was sent August 6th and in plenty time of the 30 "FREE-(BOGUS)" trial.

They said they could cancel, but no divy on the refund. I said, but I followed it to the T. No dice. I asked to speak to the supervisor. Then the same lady came back on and gave me her name and ID number. She said a refund would go back to my credit card in 7-10 days.

I am calling my credit card to see if I can put a block on my account, specifically for this business. If not, I will cancel my credit card and have them issue me another credit card number.

I am also advising everyone to bombard the networks where you see these ads on tv or radio, wherever.

Plus I am writing my Congressmen and the US Government to take action.

[Ann-Denise]

I just received an email from Consumerinfo.com Settlement Administrator stating the FTC claimed they did not make clear the membership or future charges that would be applied. Consumerinfo.com is stating they will cancel the membership and refund the unused portion of the membership. Interesting.
The email contact for questions is cicinfo
Thx.
AD

[Kathleen A Franklin]

Ironicaly I just sent an email to Freecreditreport.com because I have asked for my credit report and have received nothing. After reading this page I will call my bank tomorrow and tell them not to honor any charges for this company. Bank of Amnerica is very diligent about not giving money to people like this.
In my email I said that anything that required a credit card was not free and that they should be ashamed of themselves for perpetrating such a scam.
Perhaps once we get George Bush out of office it will not be so easy and legal to scam the American public.
I know that these scams have been around for years, however, any chance to slam a president that is so OUT OF TOUCH with anyone who has below a 6 figure income makes me ever so happy.
Perhaps if he was more concerned as was Clinton with the massive amount of people that actually got his sorry behind into office he wouldn't have so many people against him. Even the people that originally saw him as a saint have seen through his STUPID exterior. And calling him stupid only makes those who voted for him seem more like droans than free thinking Americans. Wake up America, George Jr is a puppet that only wants to secure his place in the oil business.
As long as we let companies like this take our money or offer things that should be free we are playing into the hands of crooks in office, like George Jr.
Kathleen Franklin

[Cory Pease]

Please cancel my membership on free credit report.com. I do not wish for anything to come out of my credit card. I also do not wish to continue my membership. Thankyou.
Cory Pease

[Paul Z]

Kathleen.. you do realize that this isn't the "freecreditreport.com" site and that these people can't do anything to help you?

At any rate, in the USA go to:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm

And they will direct you to a legitimate free credit report site.

[Paul Z]

Sorry Kathleen, that was meant for Cory. I'm not used to the name being posted below the comment.

[RUG]

How could anyone that's been breathing oxygen more than 20 minutes on this earth possibly think anything is free? Corporations don't give anything away for free. They only advertise with the word "free" to lure in all the naive sheep that roam this planet and proceed to suck every penny then can out of their wallet.

[clouding]

Is Freecreditreport.com a bunch of liars? They said that my card would't be charged if they didn't deliver my credit report. They didn't deliver my credit report, and charged my card anyway. So yes, they're a bunch of liars.

[debbie]

I saw the ad and great free credit report. It didn't come in the alotted free time. Then I was charged for the length of time extra it took them. I really felt like a fool. debbie

i agree with paul z. giving your credit card # to a site claiming "free" info, is obviously a questionable practice. whether or not the company is commiting fraudulent acts is irrelevent. its is the consumers responsibility to protect themselves. as long as america is run on the capitalistic coattails of greed, it is safe to say taht nobody, especially in the credit industry, should be trusted. im sorry for your monetary loss, but hopefully this will be a mental gain, and youll refrain (everyone that has been duped) from trusting anything that you are offered for free.

[Sally]

Does anyone know if this is an additional scam from ConsumerInfo.com, Inc.? I just got a notice of refund from ConsumerInfo.com, Inc. saying that the FTC has alleged they did not make clear to consumers that "they needed to cancel the trial membership to avoid being charged." While they obviously have my info because they sent the notice of refund to me, they have a form that is labeled "Application Form,"which I'm supposed to fill out in order to get the $80 refund. It consists of the info in the address. I don't want to fill out an "application form" for ConsumerInfo.com, which they could misuse as a real application. But I do want a refund. How do I find out about this agreement with the FTC? I can't find anything about this scam on the FTC site.

[jane su'e]

I need information to cancel the fee that was charged to our account not to mention I was charged 79.95 and I did not recieve the credit report.

[Tyler]

Wow... I just went to FreeCreditReport.com today and I got my free credit report from them. Yes, I was leary about the credit card information, but I figured I'd seen the commercials on TV, and I read the agreements and found out that if I cancelled it within 30 days that it was alright. Took me 3 phone calls to cancel my service, I just called now. First all lines were busy, twice, and then they couldn't find my account, and then finally they found my account and they asked why I was cancelling my service, I had to explain that I just wanted to see my Free Report and didn't want any charges. The lady tried to talk me into not cancelling, finally I cancelled it, and she said however that they would still keep my account credit checking active with continuous emails. I said no, to cancel that also so I would not get any charges, and she assured me I wouldn't. Now later today or tomorrow I will be sure to go to my bank and block any charges incurred from FreeCreditReport.com, thanks for the warning everyone.

[Morgan]

I did a credit report through creditreport.com . They were unable to process my information, but they did charge my card. I will attempt to get my money back. Unfortuneatly, I have found information regarding them to be a scam with bogus phone numbers. I did another credit check a few minutes later through freecreditreport.com. I got my information. I hope that I don't have the same problems with them that I have read so far. Important information I found that everyone should pass on. This is an annual free credit report for all 3 credit reports through https://www.annualcreditreport.com
They are the only , only, only website allowed to do this. I found it on a pdf through a government website. There was also a website to get your fico score once a year free. Pass this info on to your friends.

[Colette]

I got my free credit report and that was about a month ago but have been unable to access my accout. I wrote down my password and user name so I wouldn't forget it and the site will not accept it and I am being charged month after month for the service I am unable to use.They sent me an email that there were changes and left a site to go to and I can not access the account. It won't even give me a log in page. I am very frustrated and would like the spam to stop and be refunded for a serverce i can not use. Right like that will ever happen! Colette

[Rick]

I have been noticing two twelve dollar charges on my bank statement every month for the past two months and called my bank to find out what those charges were...She told me it was from FreeCreditReport.com FREE my ***! I have been trying to contact them and with one phone number is disconnected, and the other number ) is always a busy signal! Even th web site Support refuses toup! I'll keep trying and if anybody can help with a number or site, please pass it on. Thanks and good luck to all of you stuck in the same boat as me. sidewinderrick

[Treeless]

RE: Dec. 15, 2005 post "While they obviously have my info because they sent the notice of refund to me, they have a form that is labeled Application Form, which I'm supposed to fill out in order to get the $80 refund."

I found the following FAQs from the Federal Trade Commission, a .gov site, so it's reasonably authoritative:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/freereports/consumerinfo_faqs.pdf

The FTC faqs say "If you are a current customer of Consumerinfo, you may be eligible for a refund if you obtained a free credit report from Consumerinfo anytime between November 1, 2000 and September 15, 2003. Consumerinfo will contact you to offer you an opportunity to cancel your membership and receive a refund of the unused portion of your current year’s membership fee."

The settlement announcement was released Aug. 16:

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/08/consumerinfo.htm

Sounds reasonably safe to apply for the refund. I'm going to try to get my own refund. If I have any trouble, I'll post here.

More info on the .Gov site:
http://www.ftc.gov/freereports

It says that annualcreditreport.com is the ONLY site authorized to provide a free credit report for all three national credit reporting companies for free, and to beware of any other site making such claims.

[Felicia Davis]

I was wondering i just signed up for the free credit report like 20 minutes ago and i called to cancel but they said they couldnt find my account.The guy asked for my credit card number again so he could try to access it what should i do?Cancel my card?Or should i call back?

[Dave Cotton]

Ran, failed, called, worked, called back and cancelled - though they couldn't provide me with a cancelation id (did make sure to get the employee id though). Will let you know it they charge me :)

[Another Dumbass]

I fell for the scam too. Took three months to see it. It was billed under advanta. I thought that was the medicine I was getting for my dog everymonth.

Boy I feel dumb.

[Tabatha]

Yes iI to tried to find out my credit score. Half way threw I was kicked off the site. DUH I for some reson thought if the applacation wasn't finshed it wouldn't go through. I never recievd any infomation from them so I forgot about it. Then one day I got the bank statement and it had 2 CIC Triple Advantage $12.00 charges. I had no ideal what they where. And when I seen it was a POS Purchase in California. ?????? I live in West Virginia.?????So I called and found out what it was). They said they would refound my account, They did but they also took out the $12.00 again. I have to call them back on Monday. I'll let you know what happens.

[John M]

I signed up for my free credit report account today, about an hour ago. After receiving my report and noting my score, I went to my profile to cancel the account. I couldn't find the button, so I clicked on "Contact Us" and got their phone number. I called in, and they had me press 1 for "Cancel Account". I pressed 1, and an operator came onto the line instantly. A slight accent, but very friendly and quite capable. I was asked a few simple questions (why are you cancelling, why did you sign up, did we deliver what you expected...) placed on hold for short moments a few times while my cancellation processed, before the rep finally returned (after maybe 3 minutes) and said my account was cancelled. I asked if a confirmation email would be sent, and the rep said no, but he did offer his name and corporate ID number (which, admittedly, could be meaningless). Overall, however, I'm impressed. Provided I'm never charged, kudos to them.

[Paul]

I called the #, pressed 1, talked to the operator who needed some information for verification purposes, and after a few minutes he said it was cancelled. It was painless for me.

[Mike]

Same thing here. I joined. Never received any login information. Waited for a pass-code in the mail. Never accessed the site. Never got my FREE CREDIT REPORT. But I AM paying $12.95 per month with NO way to terminate my service.

[Jill Matzner]

This company is a BIG JOKE! I logged onto freecreditreport.com also to receive a credit report because my whole purse was stolen last year and wanted to know if it affected my credit. Well I have yet to receive anything from them and they have been charging my account. They said they "needed a credit card number so they could verify my identity and not be charged anything." Their site says they will send you your private access code in the mail well I never got mine so I called them and after being bounced around to a bunch of different people I got this guy from the so called security department that asked me all kinds of information over and over trying to act like I wasn't who I was saying I was and breathing into the phone so hard I could barely hear what he was saying, then he tells me I need to figure this stuff out and says when I do I can call them back at 800 something and hung up. So I guess I need to figure out all my childhood and adult addresses as if I never lived there for 19 years or something? WHAT A JOKE!

[Jill]

I'm also turning them into the Better Business Bereau

[Rachel]

To cancel your membership, call . I just looked at my credit card statement, and received a $12.95 charge from them, that I had no idea what it was for. I wasn't notified that the 30 free trial was ending, as I am with any other company that offers a free trial of any kind, and so, the charge was incurred. I immediately called and cancelled my membership. I didn't argue the charge, only because my experience in the past is that companies like this won't refund the money. jerks...

[NICHOLE JENNINGS]

I WENT TO THAT FREECREDITREPORT.COM LOOKED AT MY CREDIT REPORT THEN LOGGED OFF I RECEIVED A 13.95 CHARGE AND I THOUGHT I HAD SCREWED UP AND HIT THE WRONG BUTTON. BUT THE LAST MONTH A 12.00 CHARGE WAS PUT ON MY ACCOUNT AND I KNOW I DIDN'T USE THEM OR MY CARD ON LINE. SO I'M GOING TO CALL THE BETTER BUISNESS BUREAU.

[mel]

Took advantage of my "free credit report" and the following month found a $12.00 charge on my Master Card. A call to their "customer care number" just got me some runaround in that it was my obligation to cancel....asked where such a warning /opportunity to opt out could be found and the ladies assured me the info was there. Have gone through all of the documents I've received from them and have found ZIP.

[Francesca]

I also recently recieved a charge to my card from them. I requested my "free" report a while ago but the charge came through today.When i signed up, I was never able to view my account, when I called customer service, they said they had no account for me and I would not be charged. When I just spoke to someone she said my account would be refunded.

[corey]

yeah i just found out about it i checked my report last month sometime.... and found nothing like some of the others on here.... didnt get a conforming email for my renual or anything.... and just got charged 12.95 for services i am not getting.... it is really irrating that nothing has been done to stop this scam

[LeeAnn]

My account was charged $12.00 and I had no clue what it was for until I logged onto this site. I intend to stop any payments going to them in the future thru my bank.

[Elizabeth Kidder]

Same thing happened to me...Twice a month Triple Advantage has been taking money out of my account...I have to go down to the bank and fill out dispute forms...

[Bry]

I just got off the phone with them.

Let me say I used to be impressed with the website. They have an a good format, I was able to access my credit report instantly and they had some well developed tools for explaining how credit works. I let it go for several months, then I called and cancelled. Right after cancelling I got on and though I could login, had no more access that to my credit report.

I was satisfied I had cancled and left on what I thought was a good note. I even planned on using them agin if I refinaced.

However, they did not stop taking 12.95 out of my account, I had to call back several times, and I have found the service incompetent and rude. (why cna't people who work on the phone for a living speak english?)

Now I will not be reimbursed for several months of service though they admit I did canceled 6 months ago.

And I was going to use them again....

[James]

I am a college student who had to get a credit report for the apartment I just moved into. I, like so many others, saw the word "Free" pasted all over the freecreditreport.com site and figured it couldn't hurt.
Well, the "free" site's membership charges are the reason my bank account is overdrawn right now. Like I said, I'm a college student and every $12.95 counts.
Talking to their customer service people reminded me of a scene from "The 12 Tasks of Asterix" when Asterix and Obelix must survive the place that drives you mad. The only difference in this case was that the people in "The 12 Tasks of Asterix" spoke english.
After speaking with several people and their respective supervisors I was finally able to get them to refund the membership fee (Which I won't see for 10 days, so that still doesn't help my bank account) and cancel my membership.
The customer service script that they stuck to (and this may sound familiar to those of you with the same frustration as mine) is that the membership charges are "clearly stated" on the website and "all their fees are valid." Well, I am happy to say I got them to refund their "valid" fee but judging by the long list of grievances here I might have to hassle them again before I see anything. As one other person said, this is a class action lawsuit waiting to happen.

[vernon]

I just discovered this site today. This freecreditreport.com--I don't think you want to confuse it with annualcreditreport.com I have understood there is only ONE site where you can get a free credit report and that is annualcreditreport.com You are entitled to one report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once a year. When I saw "freecreditreport.com" questions came into my mind even without reading any of the messages, something like it was a scam site or something of that sort. I typed {freecreditreport.com complaints} into Google and got a bunch of results something to the effect that freecreditreport.com was one of these "imposter" websites and that there have been many consumer complaints about that site.

[Joyce]

Seems like everyone gets the same treatment.
I have tried several times to cancel. Every time I think I have,THEN ZAP, 12.00 out of my account costing me money I don't have.

[Casey Dotson]

Wow! I have good news. I am in the Navy and lucky enough for me lawyers are free. The Navy takes scams extremely serious. Hopefully something can be done about this atrocity! I will try to keep all of you updated with my progress.

[Jonathan]

I had this same problem just 2 days. FreeCreditReport.com charged me for $9.95 for their 'monthly' service which I 'signed' up for. I never authorized them to make monthly charges to my card and I sent them a letter as well. It's a small charge, but none the less, I never authorized it. This is very shady business practice and I would like to join in with any small claims or anything you might be doing.

Joyce: Please do, I would love to be part of anything going on here.

[Tamorah Davis]

Ito tryed to check my credit report and some thing happen and it would not show it.then for the last six months cic triple advanta has been taking $12.00 dollars amonth out of my checking acount.How do i get this to stop.

[Natalia]

it has happen to me also, i have realized that cic triple advanta was charging me $12.00, i have called my bank and theyd a fraud claim against them. and cancel my credit card and sent me a new one.

[Alex]

PLEASE HELP...

What can we do to stop them?
I just noticed and for five months I have been charged $78.24.

How can I cancel this and get a refund?

thank you,

[Ashley McNaughton]

I have also been scammed by this company. They keep charging my acct $12.00 each month for a service for which I have no clue about. My bank tells me I can't do anything unless I close my acct. I have called the company several times and have gotten no assitance.

[Jennifer Wapelhorst]

I am glad I seen this, last month I was checking my account online and noticed a transaction for cic triple advanta on my account, so I called the number to find out what it was, and was told it belonged to the free credit deal, I let them know i didn't sign up for it, and we hashed about it for several minutes, after they talked with me about it, I thought it sounded ok, but told them that I didn't like the fact I was signed up by some one who had my information, and would like to choose not to sign up and to cancel the membership. This month however they did not cancel me, so I will have to go to the bank to rectify it. Also a few days ago, 7 different transactions came over my account that I did not verify to come out resulting in 577.40 came out of my account, my bank is reissueing that money but the bank charges for all the bills, and checks I did write are either being bounced or being returned. And I will have to work on rectifing that. Being a single mother that will be hard to do, but soon as I find out who stole my money I will go after them, and refund all my money. Thank you for the warning about the free credit people!

[Mrs. Leppert]

I filled the entire application out, got a free cretdit report (or so I thought), and recieved TWO charges of $9.95 on my credit card. One for me and one for my husband. I am one of the suckers that thought free meant free, not $9.95. And at this point I can either live on hold and get no where or search the web for the culprit and get no where even faster.
I am angry!

[Matt Fitzgerald]

I just canceled my account with these frauds and i guess ill have to wait and see next month if they are still taking money out but I think that we should all get together and form a class action suit against these people. I'm in the Marines and have a hard enough time making ends meet cuz we dont get paid much, and then I have to find that ive been getting ripped off!!!!!! Completely wrong!!!!!! And they think it makes it all better if they offer you a complimentary gift card for $25 ya right!!!! Dont get sucked in by these scams!!!!!!

[Ruchit]

Well, I emailed the support with my confirmation ID, they confirmed that I will not be charge and the account will still be active till 25th August. Surprisingly, next day I could see $12 transaction in my account!!!

I cannot reach the number anymore so sent an email to those people and warned them that if they dont take the charge back, I will be filing a despute. I don't want them to charge me $12 for nothing when they have confirmed that I will not be charged!!!