Here's how they got me:
I signed up for a free credit report at ClearCredit.com in 2003.
First mistake: The above signup also triggered a hard inquiry on my credit report from a Clear Credit affiliated Real Estate company who ultimately sent me a mortgage offer that I didn't ask for.
Second mistake: I went to ClearCredit.com in 2 just to see if they ever updated my free credit report and found I had reached MyPerfectCredit.com. The buyout of Clear Credit was explained and I was encouraged to "login" using my former User ID and password... No charges were mentioned up to this point. As a matter of fact, the word FREE is all over their new website!
Third mistake: Upon logging in, I encountered a notice asking me to accept the conditions and terms of the new provider's contract by pressing an "I agree" button. I DID NOT press the button and logged out immediately.
Fourth mistake: A few days later, I received an email welcoming me to MyPerfectCredit.com. Unfortunately, I did not read the entire email because it did state (near the end) they were going to start charging me $9.95 monthly for their services and I only had 5 days to cancel before the charges would start.
Yes, I finally found out about the charges by reviewing my credit card statement... So now I'm really ticked! What to do?
I located their phone number (877-469-7373) and followed the prompts to "cancel an account." The person that answered is really an answering service screener. She did ask if I wanted a refund and I said yes; however, I'm not holding my breath. She also said she would forward my request to the MyPerfectCredit billing department and I would hear from them soon. (I'll update this if or when I do)
As an added precaution to ensure the account gets cancelled, I am downloading a cancellation form I obtained from their website (yes, I had to login to get it). Their instructions for completing this form are terrible and they give you two options for delivery to the company:
1st option: Complete the required form fields, sign and date it (required), and fax it to 425-977-8729
2nd option: cut and paste the form into an email, complete it, and send it to [email protected]. (how are you going to add your required signature to an email?)
Anyway, I chose the 1st option and faxed it off today as a backup to my call (I'll update this post when I successfully get my account cancelled and tell you which method worked)
One more thing, I contemplated reporting this as fraudulent charges to my credit card company; however, I did read their entire "terms" document (click terms at the bottom of their main page) and this company appears to have tailored it to protecting them when they feel they are in a legal position to "start charging" uninformed consumers like myself (yeah, I should have read the first email fully). Please be careful if you try to go thr fraud route with this company.
Sorry to be so long-winded; however, it was an honest attempt to give you all the big picture of how this company operates.
So for me, Ill just eat the $9.95 and work very hard to get this account cancelled before their next billing cycle. (Note: I am retired and I just don't have the energy to fight these guys)
More to follow...
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