Free Credit Score Reporting

Truecredit is a website owned and operated by a subsidiary of TransUnion, one of the three major credit reporting agencies. Their website advertises “FREE instant access to your credit report.”  They advise this service includes: “immediate access to your credit reports and credit scores,” “access your reports and scores as many time as you want,” and “24 hour notification of changes to your report.” This offer can be found on their website at: www.truecredit.com

After clicking for more information, you are directed to an application screen that asks for personal data so you can enroll you in their service. The information further explains the offer is for their “TransUnion Credit Monitoring” service and after the 30 day “risk-free” trial period, the service will continue automatically at a charge of $11.95 per month unless you choose to cancel within the 30 day trial period.  

The company also has a similar program that offers immediate access to your 3-bureau credit report with similar features to the other program for $14.95 per month.  This program does not mention a free trial period though it does include “$25K ID Theft Insurance at no additional cost” (note there is a disclaimer attached to this statement).  

One thing I did not like about the site was a pop up box with an instant message from one of their representatives. It appeared when I tried to close the window. Some may find that a bit intrusive. The site does appear to offer a valuable service to its customers since monitoring credit is very important nowadays. However you should always read the disclosures and small print before deciding to share your private information with any company.  

Privacy Matters 1-2-3 is a website that offers credit monitoring services to help its members maintain and safeguard their financial security.  

The website offers the opportunity to obtain a “free 3-in-1 credit report and Triple Score instantly” for TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.  In order to obtain this free information, you must sign up for a seven day trial membership with them.  

The website also explains that as a member “you’ll receive automatic alerts when activity is detected on your credit files at all three credit bureaus.”  

After clicking on the offer on the homepage, you are directed to another page that explains in addition to access to your credit report information, you will also receive “Your Savings Club” automatically.  This is a “premier shopping and savings program” which allows you to “save up to 10% instantly on gift cards for major stores and restaurants” (please note there is a long legal disclaimer in small print at the bottom of this page that should be reviewed before signing up for the offer). Also note there is a $1.00 monthly fee for this service.   

Additionally, the website states if you agree to avail yourself of the website’s “free trial” offer there is a refundable $1.00 monthly processing fee charged. Also if you do not choose to cancel the trial membership, they will automatically charge $19.95 per month to the credit card number you provide them when you sign up.  

While this can certainly be a valuable service, it is definitely worth checking with other websites that offer similar services to compare offers. At the very least, be sure to read all of the small print carefully before giving any company your credit card number.  

MyFICO is a website that offers access to your FICO score and credit report monitoring with their “Score Watch 30-day FREE trial” (they can be found by clicking here www.myfico.com. They explain that their service “monitors important changes to your FICO score and Equifax Credit Report,” provides timely alerts when important changes are detected, easy-to-read view of how lenders see you and items affecting your score, and alerts when you might qualify for better interest rates on loans.  

MyFICO offers a “100% risk-free 30 day FREE trial.” Please note myFICO will send you an email approximately seven days prior to the end of your 30 day trial period “to confirm that you wish to convert your trial to an annual subscription.”  If you do not cancel prior to the end of the 30-day trial period you will be billed $89.95 for the year when the trial period expires.  

In addition to the features listed above, the subscription comes with “Two Score Power reports” one when you enroll, and another available any time during the subscription period.”  The “Score Power report” includes: your current FICO score, an explanation of items that are hurting or helping your credit score, your complete Equifax credit report, and the FICO score simulator, which shows you how paying down balances, missing payments, or transferring balances to other cards may affect your credit score.  

The services offered by myFICO can be useful as it is very important to be aware of your credit nowadays. However it is also important to review all disclosures before you agree to provide your personal, private information to anyone.  

Identity Guard is a company that provides protection against identity theft. Their website can be found at www.identityguard.com. On their home page they advertise “Free - 6 months of credit bureau monitoring” and “Free - credit report and score.”  

After clicking the “learn more” key, you find out that they will provide a six month trial subscription to their “Identity Guard Good Start” service which “verifies, monitors, and protects your identity.”  They further explain while they do require your credit card information; there is no obligation with this offer.  They “will NOT automatically bill you at the end of the complimentary period” unless you “choose to enhance your protection” at the end of the trial period.”   

In addition to the monitoring service you also get unlimited access online to your credit report and score, based on information from Equifax.  Their “Identity Guard Good Start” plan also includes daily monitoring of your credit to detect fraudulent activity, email alerts that notify you of changes to your file, and the assistance of their “identity theft recovery unit” in the event your identity is compromised.

If you are looking for a more comprehensive identity theft protection tool, Identity Guard also offers their “Total Protection” which is an alternative to the service they offer with the 6 month trial.  This service offers additional features and is free for 30 days and then $14.95 per month.  

The services offered by Identity Guard sound useful and the fact that there is “no obligation” with the free 6 month trial is a plus but before giving anyone your personal information, read all of the disclosures and be sure you are comfortable working with the company.  

FreeCreditReport.com is a website that offers “your free credit score and a whole lot more.” They offer the opportunity to a “free credit report” but by doing so you have to agree “to begin your free trial membership in Triple Advantage Credit Monitoring.”  It is very important to note if you don’t “cancel your membership within the 7 day trial period” they will bill you $14.95 per month to continue your membership.  

FreeCreditReport.com touts itself as different from other websites that offer similar services by stating their report is “easy to understand,” “delivered quickly, safely, and securely with 24 hour access,” and they “alert you of key changes to all 3 of your national credit reports.” Please note there are asterisks and disclosures attached to many of these statements.  

Additionally, the website offers access to your Experian credit report and credit score without signing up for membership for $14.95 or “3 credit reports & 3 scores in seconds, all of your credit reports in one” for $39.95.

FreeCreditReport.com goes on to advise they are not affiliated with the annual free credit report program. They state “under federal law, you have the right to receive a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies.”  They direct you to a different website for information about this program. However, they include the reminder that “all free credit reports are not created equal.”  

FreeCreditReport.com certainly offers a valuable service as each person should keep track of their credit report information regularly.  However, please remember it is important to review all disclosures and small print carefully before giving anyone your personal information.