PRIVACY MATTERS unauthorized charges to my credit card how did they get it anyway? STAMFORD Connecticut

It is a ploy to get your financial information. You will be told to go to truecredit.com when you finally inquire about why you haven't got your report. There is another report on this site that pretty much lays this out.

You will continually be billed by this savingsmart thing.

Yes, like the author of this thread, I filled out the online form and READ THE FINE PRINT, but felt strangely uncomfortable after clicking OK/Sumbit at the bottom of the credit info entry screen-- there was no "thank you for registering" screen afterward, it just went back to the main screen. There was no confirming email in my mailbox the next morning. The trial period is just seven calendar days, I'll wait 5 days and cancel if nothing happens (I've put this on my calendar). They charge $30 per month for their services. The fine print does state that I will be AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED with their partner SAVINGSMART. It does not stipulate what the separate charge is for that service. Here's the text:

Offer Details: Simply click "Submit" on the next page to activate your trial membership in Privacy Matters 1-2-3 and claim your Free 3-in-1 Credit Report and Triple Credit Score! To activate your trial membership to Privacy Matters 1-2-3 you will be charged/debited a $1.00 refundable processing fee and then you can immediately take advantage of the exciting savings Privacy Matters 1-2-3 has to offer! After your 7-day FREE trial period its just $29.95 per month for Privacy Matters 1-2-3. Remember, you can call Privacy Matters 1-2-3 toll-free at 1-877-993-6264 within the first 7 days to cancel, and you will not be charged/debited. To ensure continuous service, at the end of your trial period your membership will be automatically charged/debited each month at the then-current membership fee on or about that same date to the credit card you provide today or from the checking account associated with the debit card you provide today. If for any reason you are dissatisfied, call our toll-free number to cancel, and you'll no longer be charged/debited.

It continues:

By clicking "Submit" on the next page, you also agree to activate your separate membership to SavingSmart at the special low price of just $1 per month. To ensure continuous service, your membership will be automatically charged/debited each month at the then-current membership fee to the credit card you provide today or from the checking account associated with the debit card you provide today. If for any reason you are dissatisfied, call SavingSmart at 1-800-316-8774 to cancel, and you'll be charged/debited.

I'm trying this reporting service because it has become soooo important to creditors to get a "number" that represents the credit-worthiness of an individual. Worse, they tend to use the LOWEST score from the big three (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax) as a reference, so the individual has to run around to see what each company is reporting to the banks- Arrgh!!! There are always errors!

PrivacyMatters 123 is just one of many companies offering all three credit scores on line. If this doesn't work, I guess just try another.

I also was charged by "Privacy Matters" when I did not believe I had authorized ANY of their charges against my bank account. First, the website gave me no confirmation either on the screen or by email that my sign-up was successful. Then, I received absolutely nothing from this company -- nothing but charges, that is. I certainly never received a credit report or anything else. When I was reviewing my banking records for end of year accounting, I saw the charges and called the number given on my account statement for them. I expected some trouble, but they were congenial and said they would return all charges within 2 business days. We shall see. In any event, I still feel like it was a scam, but it might have just been a mistake. They gave me no trouble agreeing to a refund of over $90 though.

Why don't you read carefully before putting you credit card information on a web site. I have also went to this web site and I have read the terms and agreement associated with the free credit report. I also understand that NOTHING IN LIFE IS FREE! If you read it states " TRIAL PERIOD" and that you will be charged the fee if you do not call and cancel you membership before your trial period ends. I wish people would not blame Companies for their mistakes when clearly it their mistake. I did put my credit card number in and I did recieve my free credit report and score, I called and cancelled my subscription within (2) days and I was never charged. So Lets not give the wrong Company a Bad Name. Next time take out the time and read whatever it is you think that you are getting for free. (READ THE FINE PRINT ALWAYS). All charges were authorized when you decided to put your credit, bank or debit card number in when asked to do so, you authorized privacy matter or whoever to charge you if you did not respond in a timely manner.