Cicinfo - UPDATED

Lately, I've been getting a ton of hits from people searching for cicinfo.  I had no idea why until I got a letter from Freecreditreport.com advising me that freecreditreport.com entered into a settlement with the FTC over consumers who weren't given full refunds.  The letter reminded me of the lawsuit I had against Freecreditreport.com back in 2004.  (Search the site for the saga.)

Since I've been getting so many hits, I thought I'd dig and see what I can figure out about cicinfo.

Apparently, Freecreditreport contracted with Garden City Group to handle the details of the settlement.  Garden City Group appears to be a legal "middleman" that processes the paperwork, refunds, etc. in class action cases and other cases with a large number of people involved.  I have no idea how reputable/honest/efficient that Garden City Group is, but judging by their list of clients, I assume they're at least OK.

Freecreditreport.com and I resolved our differences back in 2004, so I have no need to participate in this settlement.  However, if I did, here's what I would do:

• Follow the directions in the letter.
• Not send my social security number via email.
• Send any paperwork or forms via certified mail and keep copies for myself of anything I sent.

All the standard disclaimers apply: I'm not a lawyer; this isn't legal advice; if you have legal questions, find a lawyer through the yellow pages or your State Bar Association.

On a side note, I'm happy to see that the FTC did some good in this case.  The wheels of justice turn slowly, but at least they still turn.

UPDATE:

For more info, visit the FTC's page about the settlement:

"Consumerinfo.com, Inc., doing business as Experian Consumer Direct, has settled Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceptively marketed “free credit reports” by not adequately disclosing that consumers automatically would be signed up for a credit report monitoring service and charged $79.95 if they didn’t cancel within 30 days, in violation of federal law. The settlement requires Consumerinfo to pay redress to deceived consumers, bars deceptive and misleading claims about “free” offers, requires disclosure of terms and conditions of any “free” offers, and requires the defendant to give up $950,000 in ill-gotten gains."

Comments

[Glenn Huber]

Claim # 01631698 Control #

[Melisa]

I was charged for a "free" credit report not only once but again a year later. I never received any info in regards to any so called credit monitoring if in fact that is what they were actually supposed to be doing. I did not know that 79.95 was going to be taken out again, therefor this cost me a small fortune in returned and bounced check fees. Of course no one was going to account for these incured cost accept for me. So Im glad something is finally being done about this!!!!!!!!!

[Don]

I just want to say how happy I am that the FTC caught this. I also have not recieved any monitoring info,in fact I never even recieved my FREE CREDIT REPORT to begin with. I fell ripped off! I hope I can get full refund because they took my money and didn`t do anything for it.

[Peggy J. Ferrier]

I am being charged on my credit card for a credit monitoring service. Please cancel and credit my card EDITED for all charges by CIC Credit Montoring. The only time I recall ordering this service, which I don't remember the company offering a free one time service. I don't even recall receiving a report. Please see to this cancellation is taken care of and credit returned immediately.

Thank you

Peggy J. Ferrier
email: pjf

[betty cole]

claim# 01834089///control#
i have never received a free credit report or
any report.my banking account was charged a
79.95 charge for this report that was never received.all contact to see what the hold was
has been unanswerd by phone and letter.
i have sent back the form,and was informed i would be getting a 5.00 refund.i should get a full refund,because i have never received this report.what is my next step to get a full refund?please help thank you

[christine champion]

Just checking on my refund check..
If its in the mail already..
thank you

I did not receive a credit report and I am notifying you of this because of the Right To Cancel Notice I received today in the mail.

Please cancel anything that might have been improperly punched in. Thank you.

I did not receive a credit report and I am notifying you of this because of the Right To Cancel Notice I received today in the mail.

Please cancel anything that might have been improperly punched in. Thank you.

[Mark Gestrich]

I was charged for free credit report which i never received.I am hoping for a refund.Please cancel an give a full refund. Thank You Mark Gestrich

[Linda harrison]

I just got a letter telling me about your company charging people 79.95 on my credit card. Well I did complain about the charge that was on my credit card back in Nov. 2002.
I called the number on the letter and all I got was 8.24 (what happen to the 71.71) and if you have prove where it is at I would like to see it. By the way to make a long story short I did this credit check for my mother and she is deceased now.If you need verification of that just let me know.

[Linda harrison]

I just got a letter telling me about your company charging people 79.95 on my credit card. Well I did complain about the charge that was on my credit card back in Nov. 2002.
I called the number on the letter and all I got was 8.24 (what happen to the 71.71) and if you have prove where it is at I would like to see it. By the way to make a long story short I did this credit check for my mother and she is deceased now.If you need verification of that just let me know.

[Heidi Brightly]

Claim number 01403052
I am on temporary assignment in California and just received notification of refund and the form must be returned by January 24, 2006. I got it (forwarded from people watching my house) late January 23, 2006. I will not be able to get it returned before today January 24. Will this penalize me and make me ineligible for the refund?

[William Novak]

As All The Others Who Have Stated That They Have Received.... LESS... Than Full Refunds Of The Promised $79.95 . I Too Have Received A Refund In The Amount Of $8.96.... WHERE IS THE $70.99 Differance????

[martha henderson-fisher]

My claim number is 01471645. I just got my letter on Jan. 23, due to a divorce and change in address and last name. I mailed my information back on the 24th.I was glad that this realiziled and want make sure I get the refund that is due to me. My new address is 9520 West State Road 48, bloomington In. 47404. I hope to get a response back soon. Thank you Martha Fisher Henderson.

[John McGlinchy]

I was overjoyed to receive a letter informing me of a full refund . I paid 79.95 one year and received no report for it. The next year when I saw it on my credit card I called and told them to remove it and cancell my subscription which they did. I could get no refund for the first year. Well, I finally received my check for ; ready drum rollplease . .89cents
This is what happens when you give crooks a volentary option of making good on an outright theft . Is it a big surprise they don't pay off ? The FTC is appointed by the Bush administration . All fluff and no action. Incompetence reigns supreme. aka WMD/KATRINA/OUTING CIA AGENTS AND THE LIST GOES ON !!!

[Tracey L. Cottrell]

I would like to cancel my membership with free credit report, my ref# 70423949. I would appreciate it thank you

[Irene Lee]

I wish to cancel any CreditCheck Monitoring program. I am unable to get into the company to even check if it is still existing.

[Doneeely]

I found this site to be very good. Easy step by step instructions

[Carol Dagostin]

I have been tryin for months to contact you at the phone number listed on the NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CANCEL. The number is eternally busy. Please cancel my credit report membership immediately.