Complain about a product or service

ConsumerInfo.com

One City Blvd West Suite 401
Orange CA 92868
Phone: (888) 888-8553, Fax: (714) 978-0059

Also known as:
CIC Credit Monitor SVC; Consumer Info; Consumer Information;
creditmatters.com; freecreditreport.com; homeradar.com;
I Place; I Play Innings; QSpace.com

Your Credit • CreditReport.com • Free Credit Reports • Equifax • Experian • Trans Union • Consumerinfo • Freecreditreports.com • Certegy • Chexsystems --- News • Feds Spoof Bogus Credit Report Offers • FreeCreditReport.Com Is Far From "Free" • Equifax Settles Consumer Protection Charges in Indiana • Washington Improves Credit Freeze Law • Should You Place A Freeze On Your Credit Report? • How Are You at Managing Your Credit Score? • Consumer Understanding of Credit Scores Remains Poor • TransUnion to Provide Credit Scores to Millions • Class Actions Challenge LifeLock • FreeCreditReport.com Can Get Expensive • Children Becoming Prime Identity Theft Targets • Study: Seniors Not Familiar With Credit Freezes • Feds Propose New Rules for Credit Bureaus • Experian To Offer Credit Freezes To Consumers • Two Credit Bureaus Offer Consumers Credit Freeze in 50 States • No 'Free' Lunch on Credit Report Sites • Insurer Unlawfully Poached Consumers' Credit Reports • ConsumerInfo.Com Settles FTC Charges • Rep. Frank Promises Hearings On Credit Bureaus • PayPal, Equifax Team Up To Offer "Free" Credit Monitoring • Free Credit Reports Available Nationwide Starting Sept. 1 • Marketer of "Free Credit Reports" Settles FTC Charges • Credit Bureaus: Biggest Threat to Your Identity • Escape From Plastic Prison • Experian, ConsumerInfo.Com Named in Class Action Suit • Free Annual Credit Reports Required by Next Year • Big 3 Charged • Trans Union Ordered to Stop Selling Consumer Data • Equifax in Trouble Again

Things haven't been going quite as well for Consumerinfo.com since the Federal Trade Commission caught up with them.

Many reports are similar to this one ...

April of Virginia Beach VA (4/19/03):
I was charged the $79.95 for the so called "free credit" report without warning or receiving an email about the upcoming charge. I realized the trial period was coming upon me, but I could not find the internet address for "CIC." I was charged the $79.95 without prior notification of the upcoming charge. It screwed up my bank account and would have made me bounce several checks if I had not caught the charge on my own.

Unfortunately, April's experience is a common one. ConsumerInfo.com is owned by Experian, one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States. It in turn is owned by GUS PLC, a giant British retailer who at last report was pleased as punch at Experian's 18 percent increase in North American sales during the first quarter of 2003. A large part of that increase came from ConsumerInfo.com, which GUS Finance Director David Tyler said was one of the company's "best ever acquisitions."

Experian and the other two major credit bureaus are, of course, required to provide a free credit report to anyone who asks for one after being turned down for a credit application based on information in the report. However, as the complaints below illustrate, Experian and its subsidiary are quite skilled at getting money out of consumers who in many cases have little to spare. (More about credit reports).

Robert of Maplewood MO (12/21/07)
I signed up for a free credit report (CIC Triple Advantage) and didn't use it and forgot about it, and for more than a year (I'm embarrassed to admit) I was being charged 12.00 for a credit monitoring service that I was unaware of. I confused this unwanted service for a free credit report service I was to get for completing my income tax return via the internet. When I finally realized what was going on, I called to cancel the service and the company provided me credit for one month's bill, but that was all. I asked for all of my money back for the unwanted and unused service, but the company refused to do so and was unpleasant about it.

I was hoodwinked out of 240 dollars for this unwanted service. This is simply a scam--a slight of hand if you will--that preys upon the multitudes of distracted citizens. It should be made illegal.

Carole of Saginaw, MI December 12, 2007

Carole of Saginaw MI (12/12/07)
I saw on msn.com that I could check my credit report for free, so I tried it. It worked for a while and then quit. When I tried to cancel it, I couldn't. That was 3 years ago. I am getting charged 9.95 a month for nothing.

I am just throwing 120 a month out the window. I am getting myself into more debt by being charged interest on that 10 every month.

Jackie of Ennice, NC December 4, 2007

Jackie of Ennice NC (12/04/07)
Apparently I went online to check my credit report and gave them information, and since have been charged a couple different amounts for several months. I do not have a credit card or debit at this time. I just called CIC and canceled. We will see what happens. It was to be free--but it was not. I've just started going online to do checking and found these unauthorized charges, called my bank, and they looked up the dates for me. They could only go back 6 months.

I'm not a rich woman at all. And I know that I would not agree to pay for something monthly, for something I do not need. Example: I have not had TV for 3 yrs. No long distance on my phone and canceled my DSL. Because? I don't need it. I've had a great anxiety attack over this.

Darlene of Coconut Creek, FL October 24, 2007

Darlene of Coconut Creek FL (10/24/07)
I signed up for CIC's triple advantage service. It was free for 30 days, then 9.95 per month. I was charged 19.95. I canceled, but they won't refund the 19.95 .

They charged me more money with out my consent. I gave them my credit card # . They scammed me.

Michele of Chicago, IL October 16, 2007

Michele of Chicago IL (10/16/07)
I signed up to receive the CIC free credit report. I issued my information because not only did they state that my card would not be charged, but they would not let me continue the process.  However, money I didn't have to spare was deducted from my account for the past two months.

Jaffer of Des Moines, IA September 23, 2007

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