Warning about freecreditreport.com

[boscobel]

Maybe I'm the only idiot that gets duped, but I really thought this was the company that I used every year. Every year when I do my taxes, I run my credit report / score from the previous year, just to make sure everything is all good. I thought FreeCreditReport.com | Free Credit Report and Credit Score Online by Experian was the one that I used, but I've never been charged a fee before. This year, I ordered it from them and was charged a $25 fee. I sent an email to complain, b/c at no point during the process do I remember it stating there was a 1 time fee. It explained how I was signing up for a free week membership and if I hadn't canceled after that week was over, I'd be charged a $14.95 fee monthly. I canceled my membership the next morning, but then noticed this $24.95 charge on my credit card. Just wanted to put it out there that this obviously isn't a FREE credit report like they try to make it sound.

 

Does anyone remember the website that actually offers a FREE one? I know I do this yearly, but obviously i remember the wrong company. And aren't we entitled to one free credit report/year? I thought that was a law or something.

 

ETA: After typing this out and thinking about it, I think that usually the credit report is free and the score isn't, but in previous years I think it was $7.95, not $25.

[dolfinluck]

I'm pretty sure its Annual credit report. Its looks likes the one I have used in the past.

[boscobel]

Cool, thanks! I'm bookmarking that one for next year.

[Jessica]

Yep, it's annualcreditreport.com. Freecreditreport.com is totally misleading and many people have ordered from here not realizing the fee. Sorry Carly

[boscobel]

I know, it's so annoying. I mean, it's only $25, but WTF. When they said they can't refund the charge, I asked them "What about freecreditreport.com is "free" if there's a $25 charge?" They told me that I should call b/c there are things they can't say in email. But they are only open until 6pm, so I'm going to call tomorrow to see if I can get it refunded. Now it's about the principle of the thing, not about the money!

[jenne]

Hey Carly, that sucks! If they won't give you your money back, I would contact your credit card company to dispute the charge. I had something similar happen before where I ordered something online and it cost $2, which was the advertised cost so I paid it. And then a while later they charged my credit card $40 and no where did it say they would do this! My credit card company (Mastercard) got my money back for me!

[ktnicole]

You can contact your bank if you used a bank card and let them know you need to dispute the charge. I use www.creditkarma.com, its free (you never put in any info to be charged) and it gives an actual score- I just keep in mind that its probably just an estimate but its close enough that you have an idea. plus they have some nifty things to play with to see if a situation would make your score go up or down (ie close a card thats been open for a long time)

[Shakara]

I use truecredit.com they offered a free trial for one week.... there was no fee at the time. I kept mine but my FI cancelled like two days later and there was no charge.