Credit Reports - A RANT

[LynneSin]

So I'm pulling my annual free credit report. Once a year you're entitled to receive a free credit report from each of the three major credit folks: Transunion, Equifax and Experian ( https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp - that's the link for it).

This is pretty cut and dry but what you don't get is your credit score - the 3-digit number that tells how 'credit-worthy' you are. The higher the number the better rate you'll get when you apply for loans. So I figured I'll pay to see my credit score just so I know how I'm doing from last year.

First Experian - I try buying their credit score but they provide some number on a scale completely different from the normal credit scale (350-850). So now I've paid money for a number that means NOTHING to me. Then Transunion - I see something that says for $9.95 I can get my credit score from all 3 companies. But by the time you get to actually purchase it, they add on all this extra stuff you really don't want and have to remove each one. Except I removed what I really wanted and ended up paying $5 more for something I was already getting for free.

Why can't they just have a fucking button that says "Yes, I'll pay $10 please show me my 3 fricking credit scores and DON'T bother me with all this other stuff you're trying to push on me". I'm gonna have to spend an hour tonight calling back Experian & Transunion (I gave-up and didn't bother with Equifax) trying to get refunds on the $25 wasted on things I didn't want and can't use

[seemunkee]

1. I recently went through that myself

You would think that companies that "securely" handle our financial history would be able to come up with a user interface that was easy to understand AND gave you the information you want.

[mainegreen]

2. Ha! Transunion wont let me pull my free credit report online because it has been 'secured'

whatever the hell that means. There is no way to undo this 'secured' state and so I have to request it via mail.
I have no doubt this is a way to try and deny me my free credit report.

[PVnRT]

3. Because it's easier to confuse you to run the scam

My credit card has a nice $4 a month option that gives me quarterly credit reports and scores. It's very nice.

[LynneSin]

4. When I have providian, they had monthly credit scores included

But I got rid of Providian cause their rate was outrageous compared to what I could get from the company I work for

[PVnRT]

5. I get them from some outfit called "CreditInform"

And I get to see my score hold steady at 650. Hooray for fair credit!