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.  

Experian is the third reporting agency that offers credit report account information. This report can be checked once a year for free on annual credit report. However, if you already checked your credit report once, and want to check your credit score again, maybe due to a rejection for credit, you can use Experian.  Experian allows you to check your credit report for free, although they do need a valid credit card number to verify that the user is the person that is being inquired about.

In addition, Experian offers many other extra services that have to be paid for. Such as Smart Business Reports that allow you to check your business credit report. MetroNet that allows you to find current data on debtors, Contractor check allows you to get real contractors and stay away from fraudulent contractors. Another service that the website provides is the Business Public Records, which basically allows the user to find a lot of information about a particular business. The AutoCount provides the user with the information of who has recently sold or bought a vehicle, such service provides some companies with a list of customers for which they can target their advertising of their products.

What ever your needs are Experian can handle some of them for a small fee. However, if it is only the credit report that you are looking for, make sure that you exhaust your free option of getting the credit report from three agencies, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion at annualcreditreport.com.

Credit
Article Source