Freecreditreport.com advertises on its homepage that for $1 you can check both your credit reports and your credit score.
Specifically, it says:
"When you order your $1 Credit Report and Score here, you will begin your 7-day trial membership in freecreditreport.com. If you don't cancel your membership within the 7-day trial period*, you will be billed $19.99 for each month that you continue your membership. You may cancel your trial membership anytime within the trial period without charge.
*The credit monitoring benefit may only be available for 5 days during your trial period since enrollment can take up to 2 days. You may cancel your trial membership any time during your first 7 days without charge."
I called before I proceeded to confirm my account would only be charged $1 as long as I canceled before the 7-day deadline and was assured that was the case.
Immediately after I checked my report/score, I checked my account and was furious to see that they had posted two charges, one for $1 and the other for $31.95.
I called to complain and asked how they came up with $31.95. The operator stated that they had charged me the monthly fee of $19.99 and a 'handling' fee from Experian. She had no explanation why they had charged my account instantly, when they advertise (and tell you if you call) that no charges will post until after 7 days.
I could hear other operators in the background fielding the same complaint.
They eventually agreed to refund my money and cancel my account but the charges won't be replaced in my account for 7-10 business days.
This sure seems fraudulent to me! There are likely many people who don't check their accounts as frequently who may not notice these charges or who are not as vehement when they call to complain who are just out this 'handling' fee.
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