CIC Credit Monitoring Service CIC Refunds Cash!!! Orange California

to chris in carlsbad;
i think you still got taken by this company! $35 for a copy of your credit report? thats amazing. did you know that you can go to one of the three major credit reporting agencies and request a copy for as little as $9? It all depends on the state you live in. Actually, in California, you are allowed one free report every 12 months. And they will never ask you for any financial information. You can just call their automated line and give your SSN and address, and they will send it to you.

Just a thought.

I've used this service three times before and never had a problem with them. I used it about two years ago when they were called something else, and then again at the beginning of this year, and my girlfriend used it two months ago. But I also paid for it each time and did not get charged for credit monitoring service. They state quite explicitly the various options on their website and what the options are with each price plan.

If you buy the straight credit report, you don't have any problems. You get charged once, and the credit report is in a great format. If you go for the "free" credit report, according to their website, you are signed up for the credit monitoring service.

I can't believe that there are 554 reports on here about this when it clearly states on their site that you are signing up for a $79.99 credit monitoring service.

Yes, the credit monitoring service is probably worthless, but you are signing up for it. I think you even have to give them your credit card #. What do you think they are going to do with it? I'd understand if they didn't explain everything, but they do. That's why I chose to pay $35 (I think) for the single report.

People, nothing's free. I mean it, absolutely nothing is free. When you see "free" be suspicious.

I like many of you did not read the fine print. After my account was charged $79.95 I went back to CIC's site and I admit that I was wrong for not looking at the "minor details" to my "free" report.

I pulled up my bank account online and found the phone number to CIC listed right next to the transaction. I called them and told them that I wished to cancel my service. They told me they had already charged my account yesterday and that I would have my credit monitored for one year. I told them I wasn't interested. When asked why I wanted to cancel, I responded that I had not read the fine print, she laughed (as if she had heard that before) and said I would have a refund in 7-10 business days. Much to my surprise I just got the refund today (3 DAYS LATER).

I think the way to deal with them is simply stating you wish to cancel and not arguing the fact that you made a mistake and didn't read the fine print.

Michelle, I also was hurt by the unprofessional business practices of CIC, for the second year in a row! Don't talk down to people who have honestly followed the correct, legal steps to sever ties with CIC.

I asked for my free credit report in April of 2002, and cancelled 2 weeks later, and this was confirmed by CIC. Yet, the $79.99 fee was deducted! This caused 2 bounced checks, as I only keep money in my account to cover checks issued. I did get this $79.99 fee back a month later, after 5 phone calls to "remind" them.

On June 27 2003, CIC again took $79.99 out of my account, and explained, it "was a computer error, you had been automatically renewed". I did get their claims clerk to agree to a full refund for this, and was told to wait 10-14 business days! I lost another bounced check fee, and was waiting.

Imagine my surprise on July 2, 5 days later, when CIC took another $79.99 from my account! I am working hard on this, believe me.

My bank suggested the following steps to prevent theives like CIC from taking my money. 1) use only a credit card, not a checking account debit card. This way you can place a freeze on disputed items. 2) if you did use a checking account debit card, go to your bank and get a new debit card issued on the same checking account, with a different card number. This prevents CIC from taking money out anytime they wish.

Thank you, Lisa, for your reply. These situations can be very stressful for those involved. I understand that. But I believe that it is understood that it is important to review rules and regulations on websites before any financial information is relayed.

I have no doubt that there is some shady business going on with this company, and anyone who has their drouthers about them, will not give up. Someone even wrote in that they were willing to assist with a class action suit. This person is willing to fight for their rights.

Lisa, you did everything in your power to recoup your money, which is unfortunately what each person will have to do.

I also believe that the bottom line is not only to read the fine print, but to encourage others to not use this company at all. Refund, or no refund. It's not worth the hassle.

Besides, once you've been rejected by creditor you automatically have the right to request a copy of your credit report from the Credit Reporting Agency the company used to obtain your credit rating. Or you may request a copy from the reporting agency for a nominal fee. Better a nominal fee than $79.95. Yeah, on-line access is fast, but in the end, it's not cheap.

With regards to bank fees, well, I didn't incur any because I've learned my lesson on not having enough in my account to cover "incidentals". But, that's a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Everyone isn't that "lucky". That's why I take the approach to this situation the way I do. My mistakes usually cost me money. So, I try not to make them again.

Thanks again, for the input.

Thank you, Lisa, for your reply. These situations can be very stressful for those involved. I understand that. But I believe that it is understood that it is important to review rules and regulations on websites before any financial information is relayed.

I have no doubt that there is some shady business going on with this company, and anyone who has their drouthers about them, will not give up. Someone even wrote in that they were willing to assist with a class action suit. This person is willing to fight for their rights.

Lisa, you did everything in your power to recoup your money, which is unfortunately what each person will have to do.

I also believe that the bottom line is not only to read the fine print, but to encourage others to not use this company at all. Refund, or no refund. It's not worth the hassle.

Besides, once you've been rejected by creditor you automatically have the right to request a copy of your credit report from the Credit Reporting Agency the company used to obtain your credit rating. Or you may request a copy from the reporting agency for a nominal fee. Better a nominal fee than $79.95. Yeah, on-line access is fast, but in the end, it's not cheap.

With regards to bank fees, well, I didn't incur any because I've learned my lesson on not having enough in my account to cover "incidentals". But, that's a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Everyone isn't that "lucky". That's why I take the approach to this situation the way I do. My mistakes usually cost me money. So, I try not to make them again.

Thanks again, for the input.

Thank you, Lisa, for your reply. These situations can be very stressful for those involved. I understand that. But I believe that it is understood that it is important to review rules and regulations on websites before any financial information is relayed.

I have no doubt that there is some shady business going on with this company, and anyone who has their drouthers about them, will not give up. Someone even wrote in that they were willing to assist with a class action suit. This person is willing to fight for their rights.

Lisa, you did everything in your power to recoup your money, which is unfortunately what each person will have to do.

I also believe that the bottom line is not only to read the fine print, but to encourage others to not use this company at all. Refund, or no refund. It's not worth the hassle.

Besides, once you've been rejected by creditor you automatically have the right to request a copy of your credit report from the Credit Reporting Agency the company used to obtain your credit rating. Or you may request a copy from the reporting agency for a nominal fee. Better a nominal fee than $79.95. Yeah, on-line access is fast, but in the end, it's not cheap.

With regards to bank fees, well, I didn't incur any because I've learned my lesson on not having enough in my account to cover "incidentals". But, that's a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Everyone isn't that "lucky". That's why I take the approach to this situation the way I do. My mistakes usually cost me money. So, I try not to make them again.

Thanks again, for the input.

Thank you, Lisa, for your reply. These situations can be very stressful for those involved. I understand that. But I believe that it is understood that it is important to review rules and regulations on websites before any financial information is relayed.

I have no doubt that there is some shady business going on with this company, and anyone who has their drouthers about them, will not give up. Someone even wrote in that they were willing to assist with a class action suit. This person is willing to fight for their rights.

Lisa, you did everything in your power to recoup your money, which is unfortunately what each person will have to do.

I also believe that the bottom line is not only to read the fine print, but to encourage others to not use this company at all. Refund, or no refund. It's not worth the hassle.

Besides, once you've been rejected by creditor you automatically have the right to request a copy of your credit report from the Credit Reporting Agency the company used to obtain your credit rating. Or you may request a copy from the reporting agency for a nominal fee. Better a nominal fee than $79.95. Yeah, on-line access is fast, but in the end, it's not cheap.

With regards to bank fees, well, I didn't incur any because I've learned my lesson on not having enough in my account to cover "incidentals". But, that's a lesson I had to learn the hard way. Everyone isn't that "lucky". That's why I take the approach to this situation the way I do. My mistakes usually cost me money. So, I try not to make them again.

Thanks again, for the input.

Michelle,

I can appreciate your post. However, there are other issues involved here. Many people incurred bank imposed fees for insufficient funds. Isn't is a coincidence that CIC mentions in their disclaimer that they will not be reponsible for those fees? Kinda makes you think they're accustomed to being asked for reimbursement? Why would that be? I'll tell you why because they consistently withdraw funds out of consumer bank accounts without our approval.

Now you will probably say, well, people should read the terms before they "purchase" the free credit report, right? Well, there are 2 answers to that.

1. MANY, including myself, signed up for a free report and cancelled way before the 30 days was up and we were still charged.

2. There are other ways to enroll in the free credit report besides their website. If they are not going through the website, it is not emphasized or made clear to consumers that they MUST cancel to avoid a charge of $79.95

Which leads me back to point 1. Even if they do cancel in time, many have been charged.

I have read many comments from people where there bank account became excessively overdrawn and they couldn't even afford food to eat. How should that be rectified? Many feel too lost and frustrated and give up even dealing with them. So that's more money in CIC's pocket. Oh and what about those people that don't even notice it on the credit card statement? More money again. Let me not forget there have been stories of people FINALLY getting their money back only to be charged AGAIN exactly one year later.

The point is: NO CONSUMER should have to go through this crap.

It is not as black and white as some like yourself may think.

Despite their no-refund disclaimer on bank fees. Did I get all my money back? YES. After excessive phone calls, complaints, letters to FBI Internet fraud, the BBB, Dept of Consumer affairs (fl) and the fraud bureau.

There was no way in hell they were going to get away with leaving my account at a negative balance when I had cancelled like I was supposed to.

You know what saved me? I had the email with the date listed when I cancelled and I also had their email which they sent almost 10 days later stating they had just recieved it and were processing it.

Not that many people are that lucky or persistent. If I had been unable to prove it then I'd be out of luck like so many others here.

Ever part of their operation is a scam. What happened to the ONLINE INSTANT ACCESS CREDIT REPORT. Everything I've ever read seems to show that they can never verify anyone's identity so they pull the old "oops, got to send you a 2nd passcode in the U.S. Mail"...that takes up to 7 days and you better hope they send you the other code because they always seem to forget one or the other.....And we all know that you need both codes to access the report.

How convenient...seems to me like they deliberatly delay you accessing that report. Before you know it. BAM! 30 days is up.

Their scam starts off at the very beginning and you get one slimy trick after another. So please, not trying to slam your post or anything but I don't feel that those left with no money in their bank tonight feel as sympathetic or understanding towards the company as you seem to.