When I answered an add for a free online credit report, of course I expected a catch of some sort. I read everything carefully. The site makes several references to paid services, but no notation that anything is automatically billed. When asked for a credit card, the site claims it is only needed for verification. Nothing is to be billed unless authorized by the consumer.interestingly enough, somewhere in the tiny and nearly illegible print, you are authorizing a monthly fee for some sort of monitoring.
After signing up, I had only a moment to glance at the report prior to leaving for work. The following day I was unable to log in to the account. I called the customer service line, where my information was verified and allegedly my password reset and account unlocked. I was still unable to log in.
Suspecting a bit of unethical business practice, I called again. This time I requested the account closed and that I did NOT wish to participate in ANY paid services and did NOT expect to be billed for anything. I was assured I did not sign up for the paid services and no billing was to take place. I thought this was the last conversation I would need to have with consumerinfo.com.
Skip ahead 3 months. My wife was looking over statements and remembers to ask me why "credit report monitoring" shows up on the debit card statements every month. I recognized this immediately and knew what was happening. I made arrangements with the bank to refuse any further charges, then gave them a call. They seemed quite uncooperative at first, threatening to hang up because I was being "rude" I didn't raise my voice at all and did not use profanity of any kind. I'm sure my tone of voice came off as angered, but who wouldn't be angry after discovering someone had been stealing from them for 3 months?
I explained my account was closed, they claimed no record of this. I was arguing with the snobbish female on the phone for about 10 minutes when I finally played the ace up my sleeve. Yes, as soon as she knew my bank was refusing all additional charges my account was finally closed and I received a confirmation email. Allegedly the supervisor was going to be notified of the employee who never closed my account 3 months ago. I did ask for a refund of the unauthorized charges but was only rebutted with "I can't do that, we DON'T DO that."
Interestingly enough, the so-called credit monitoring you unexpectedly pay for doesn't even work. During the 3 months I was unknowingly charged for this "service" I purchased a new car and secured a loan for over $13,000.00. Based on the purpose of the "service" I should have received an email notifying me of a major change on my credit report. Did I? Nope...
Welcome another party to the class action suit. Employees of consumerinfo, start looking for new jobs. We. The consumers, are getting back the money your employer stole from us!
Call me k
Hatley, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
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