THIS BUSINESS IS NOT BBB ACCREDITED

FreeCreditReport.com (Headquarters)

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(877) 481-6826 P.O. Box 19729, Irvine, CA 92623

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Description

This company provides online consumer credit reports and scores, credit monitoring products, and other credit-related information.

BBB Accreditation

This business is not BBB Accredited.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

Reason for Rating

BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered.

Factors that lowered this business's rating include:

Advertising issue(s) found by BBB

Factors that raised this business's rating include:

Length of time business has been operatingComplaint volume filed with BBB for business of this sizeResponse to complaint(s) filed against businessResolution of complaint(s) filed against businessBBB has sufficient background information on this business

Customer Complaints Summary Read complaint details

4460 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 358 closed in last 12 months
Complaint Type Total Closed Complaints
Advertising / Sales Issues 1587
Billing / Collection Issues 2141
Problems with Product / Service 723
Delivery Issues 8
Guarantee / Warranty Issues 1
Total Closed Complaints 4460

Additional Complaint Information

Some complaints allege that the disclosures on the website are inadequate concerning the charges for access to credit reports. Specifically, these complainants indicate that they're charged for the monitoring service even though they've cancelled within the free trial period. Other customers allege that they weren't aware they would be charged if they signed up for the trial period. Generally, the company responds to complaints concerning inadequate disclosures and unauthorized credit or debit charges by disputing complaint allegations. The company contends that the terms of their agreements clearly and conspicuously disclosed on their website. The company also responds by issuing refunds, cancelling accounts, and apologizing for any inconvenience.

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  • Government Actions

    BBB has no information regarding government actions at this time.

    What government actions does BBB report on?

  • Advertising Review

    On January 19, 2011, we wrote to this company about our concerns with their website advertising relating to free trial offers for credit reports and credit scores. Our concern was that the sign up page was unnecessarily obscure resulting in the public failing to understand that they were enrolled in a program that resulted in monthly charges. The company responded by advising the BBB that the site now offered a free unconditional path to obtain a report without committing to a trial membership. We have since reviewed the website and have determined that the sign up page dangles an offer for a “free” credit score and if accepted, the result is enrollment in a trial membership which leads to a recurring payment program unless cancelled. We believe the company's advertising is deceptive or misleading. As of our last review on 7/14/2011, incomming complaints for the company continue to allege a pattern of the same or similar problems. We believe customers who begin the order process on a free, no membership required site should be able to obtain their credit report without being enrolled in a recurring payment program.

    What is BBB Advertising Review?

Additional Information

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13062929
BBB file opened: 11/12/1997 Business started: 5/24/1993
Contact Information
Renee Borsack - Director of Public Relations
Number of Employees

930

Business Category

Credit Reporting Agencies

Alternate Business Names
FreeCreditReport.comConsumerInfo.ComConsumer Information CenterCredit Report Monitoring ServiceCreditCheck TotalConsumer Info
Industry Tips
This company offers credit monitoring services, credit reports, credit scores, and other credit related services. Their services are marketed via various internet sites and are usually presented in the form of a free trial offer for monitoring service. Offers for fre or low cost credit reports, or, scores are often used as buyer incentives to enroll consumers in the monitoring service.

The monitoring service is promoted with a negative option cancellation clause. Tiny gray text on the right side of the screen explains that, in addition to requesting a credit report, you are signing up for a "free 7-day trial" of Experian's credit monitoring service. If you do not call and cancel the service within the 7-day period, you will receive a $14.95 monthly charge on your credit or debit card." This means that by agreeing to the initial trial offer, you are also agreeing to be charged $14.95 each and every month for the monitoring service on an ongoing basis unless you cancel the agreement before the trial period ends. According to website disclosures, consumers may cancel at anytime to stop the monthly billing, but the company will not issue refunds on the current months paid membership fees.

Many companies claim to offer free credit reports – and some do. But others give you a report only if you buy other products or services. Still others say they’re giving you a “free” report and then bill you for services you have to cancel. If you go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com and follow the prompts for your free credit report, you can be sure the reports you get really are free.

Federal law requires commercial websites that say they offer free credit reports to include a box letting you know you can get a free credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com. You can request your free report online, by phone or by mail. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, call 1-877-322-8228, or fill out the Annual Credit Report Request form and mail it to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. No matter how you request your report, you have the option to request all three reports at once or to order one report at a time. By requesting the reports separately, you can monitor your credit more frequently throughout the year.