Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Don't use FreeCreditReport.com without reading the fine print! Really, just save yourself time and don't use it at all!

I needed to check my credit. I joined freecreditreport.com and just asked for the report with no added services. But really, the site is BS. Avoid it. Here's why:

It pulls your report from Experian, an already government required free service. Then it offers you monitoring of your report and help on ways to raise your credit. You may think you've said no to those offers, but WRONG you've signed up for credit monitoring.

You are asked for your credit card number and enrolled in a program that you really aren't aware of unless you actually read the Terms (who does that?). It explains that you aren't being charged for anything at the time on the page where it asks for your card and makes it seem they're just collecting account information in case you request further services.

A day or so after the report, I was charged a dollar. Showed up on my statement as from FCR.com. OK. A dollar, that's fine. I let it be. I continued to get more emails from FCR offering me services, which I immediately deleted.

Over a week later I see an unknown, unnamed charge in my BoA account (which is EMPTY because I just went off unemployment, started work, but haven't been paid yet!!). By calling the bank, I find a phone number attached to the charge and then called the number and guess what? Freecreditreport.com. Apparently, I was enrolled in a 9 day free trial and I didn't cancel it in time. An email maybe a day or two ago reminding me of this would have fucking been appreciated.

I assumed since I hadn't heard "scam" talk about this site I didn't need to look into it beforehand. But really, doing a basic search brings up some interesting info I wish I'd discovered before I got hosed.

In late 2006, Florida’s state attorney general’s office launched an investigation into Experian’s business practices, citing a “failure to adequately disclose negative option enrollment … deceptive advertising, misleading domain name, and failure to honor cancellations.”...

FCR is a shady and dishonest venture from Experian. I found that I was billed for a year of their service after giving my information for a one-time “free” check. When I disputed the charge, I thought that I had just been careless in enrolling. What a SHAM! – Erik, NJ (MSNBC’s Red Tape Chronicles blog)...
When I called to try to get a refund, it was pretty clear they weren't going to offer me one. They even tried to sell me on the redit monitoring service which would fight identity theft. I retorted that I was never interested in that and hit No, thanks for anything like that which had come up while I was registering. Finally, he cancelled my account and said I'd get an email confirmation. Well, that still hasn't arrived!!! If I run into any problems with the cancellation I'll have to follow the advice of this guy and this guy.

Bottom line: the safest way to request your free annual credit report is through AnnualCreditReport.com. Period.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Bay State Bike Week

Thanks to Yelp, I just find out that next week (May 11-17) is the Bay State (that's MA's nickname for all those of you who may not know) Bike Week. There are events throughout the entire state. See Calendar of Events.

Bostonian's can bike to work as part of the Mass Commuter Challenge. I've already been biking at least some of the way to work (weather permitting) but I can certainly try to do it every day next week.

The site registration is a little confusing as it sets up a page where you can email friends to accept donations for the ride. However, the pledge amounts for this event are in miles, not money and I'm not sure where money would go IF you had some donated.

Anyways, you can even join a bike convoy to City Hall for Mayor Menino's Bike Week Festival on Friday morning, which is a police escorted ride to downtown Boston.

I'm registered to ride for Harvard to work each day and also joining the Allston-Brighton convoy for Friday (will I get up early enough..?). For that I need a helmet though...guess my moped helmet will have to do.

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