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).

Mary of Las Vegas NV (10/11/08)
My 84yr old relative attempted to get a free credit report after his checks had been stolen. The ad on line for CIC states 3 times that a 3 Bureau credit report is free, but you have to give a credit card # to get the free ones. My relative claims he did not ok any charges for any reports or other services. CIC charged the credit card 34.95 claiming because he got 3 reports not just one he had to pay for them. When I explained he is 84 & doesn't know the intricacies of purchasing on line they had no consideration so I contacted AMEX & they are disputing the charges & were interested in hearing this group is being investigated by the FTC.

My 84 yr old relative cannot afford to pay 34.95 for something that should have been free.

Estella of Albany, NY October 9, 2008

Estella of Albany NY (10/09/08)
My account is being deducted for a service I do not want. I cannot make contact.

11.95 per month.

A1c of Warner Robins, GA October 8, 2008

A1c of Warner Robins GA (10/08/08)
In May of 2008 I received a credit report from CIC Credit Monitor SVC. In October of 2008 my account was billed for the first payment of 9.95. I was able to reach a representative and despite poor customer service by the representative I was able as far as I know to end my so called membership.

Shanee of Newark, NJ October 2, 2008

Shanee of Newark NJ (10/02/08)
I noticed on my bank statement that a charge for 14.95 had been deducted from my account. I only looked at the statement in detail because I was going for recertification for the apartment complex that I reside in. As I looked further, I noticed that this charge has been coming out of my account on the first of each month for the past year. I called the company and they did cancel the service and gave me back a credit of only 14.95, even though i had been billed for 179.40.

To make matters worse, it's not even my account. It was set up by a male and I'm female. The charges are fraudulent. This isn't the first time this has happened to me, but it happened about 2 years ago after I requested a free credit report from annualcreditreport. They need to be stopped.

This is a disservice to anyone that arranges to get a free credit report, only to realize that it's not free at all. This has caused a financial hardship, and I know you're saying it's only 179.40, but that's my hard earned money and I deserve a refund.

Melanie of Jersey City, NJ September 29, 2008

Melanie of Jersey City NJ (09/29/08)
called 09/29/2008 after seeing charge on my bank account for credit monitoring that was never ordered. I had ordered a free credit report? in May, had been careful NOT to check the box for constant credit monitoring, but was subsequently charged every month from July (don't know why they didn't charge me in June?) till when I discovered it in September for 14.95

Was overcharged a total of 44.95. I am really just interested in assisting in a class action suit, because this is easily the 3rd or 4th time it has happened to me over the year, usually for longer! But only since last year have I started documenting when it happens.

Cynthia of Mason, OH September 29, 2008

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