Why is there a charge for $1.00 on my credit card from you when I'm still in my free trial?

You will be asked for valid credit card information when you sign up for the free credit monitoring trial. CIC will verify your credit card information before processing your order. An authorization in the amount of one dollar will be performed on your credit card to make sure it is valid and in good standing and the one dollar authorization amount may count against your credit or debit limit. Additionally, your credit card will be charged a non-refundable $1.00 fee, plus any applicable sales tax, for your Credit Report which 100% will be donated to a worthy charity. However, CIC will not bill you the monthly membership price of $14.95 until the free trial period has ended.

Can you explain how the donation works?

As part of recent regulation regarding the marketing of free credit reports, we are charging a low fee of $1 to provide consumers their credit report during their trial membership. We decided to donate the net proceeds of the credit report fees collected to charity.

Where does my $1 donation go?

Experian has a dedicated community improvement program committed to making an important difference in each of the communities in which we operate and live. Experian uses these donations to lend financial support to a number of qualifying public charities. Some recipients of our funds include schools, community involvement programs and volunteer fund raising.

Do you offer me a receipt for my $1 donation? (for claiming on taxes)

The $1 fee that you´re charged to see your report is an actual fee and not itself a donation. We are taking the fee and as a gesture of goodwill, donating to charitable causes on your behalf. Because of this, no receipt is provided for tax purposes. Also, because it´s a fee we have to charge applicable sales taxes.

Which bureau's credit report does Credit Manager monitor for me?

Credit Manager monitors your Experian^® credit report and notifies you of several important changes to your Experian credit file with online daily monitoring alerts. You'll know about new derogatory information, recent inquiries into your credit, and several indicators of possible credit fraud. Credit Manager also includes free copies of your Experian Credit Report and PLUS Score anytime during your membership.

How do I cancel my membership?

Isn´t it nice to know you have the security of a money-back guarantee when you order Credit Manager? If you try the service and decide it is not for you, please contact our Customer Care Center toll free at 1-866-252-8811. Your credit card will NOT be charged if you cancel during the free trial period. If you decide to cancel after your free trial ends, you have 180 days from the date you were billed to receive a pro-rated refund of the current year´s membership fee.

Why am I not eligible for another 30-day free trial membership?

The credit report and PLUS Score is a promotional offer for first-time Credit Manager customers only. If you have already tried the program and would like to enjoy the exclusive benefits of Credit Manager, including unlimited access to your Experian Credit Report and PLUS Score, then please click here to sign up for a full membership.

The reports that I ordered prior to joining Credit Manager are missing. Can I still view them?

Any reports ordered prior to you joining Credit Manager can be viewed by simply clicking the view archived reports link in My Credit Center for the duration of each report's availability.

How long will my online credit report be available?

Your report is available online for 30 days after it is delivered. It´s a good idea to print a copy for your records when you first view it.

3 Bureau Credit Report with PLUS Score

How is a 3-bureau credit report different from a single-bureau credit report?

The 3-bureau report includes your complete information from all 3 US credit bureaus -Experian, Equifax & TransUnion. A single-bureau report contains your information on file at one of those 3 bureaus.

Why is my credit report and PLUS Score different among the 3 bureaus?

When creditors report information to the credit bureaus, they can choose which bureau(s) they want to report to. Some report to only 1, whereas many report to all 3. When a creditor chooses only to report to 1 or 2 of the bureaus, the remaining bureau(s) will not have access to, and therefore will not include, that account information in your report.

Similarly, the credit bureaus do not share information and may report information that is inconsistent with the other bureaus.

What is a PLUS Score?

A PLUS Score is a credit score developed by Experian, using a similar formula to those used by lenders. It is calculated based on information contained in your credit file and can range from 330 to 830 with a higher score indicating lower credit risk to lenders. Your PLUS Score can help you understand what factors raise and lower your credit rating, and what you can do to improve your credit standing.

Why is it important to check my credit report & PLUS Scores at all 3 bureaus?

When creditors, landlords, and potential employers check your credit history, they can pull your credit report & credit score from any bureau(s). Some only check 1 bureau; some always check all 3. By checking all 3 yourself, you´ll be prepared no matter which bureau(s) they go to.

Where can I find out how to read my 3 Bureau Credit Report?

Please click on the Credit Report Guide button located at the top of your 3 Bureau Credit Report.

I wasn't able to receive my 3 Bureau Credit Report with PLUS Score, or the transaction failed. Was I charged?

No, we don't charge your card unless your 3 Bureau Credit Report and PLUS Score is delivered. We will not charge your card if:

(a) we are unable to process your request;
(b) you do not pass our authentication process;
(c) any of the 3 credit bureau systems are down.

How long does it take to get my 3 Bureau Credit Report and PLUS Score?

After you pass our online authentication process, you will generally receive your online credit report and score within 30 seconds. However, if we are unable to automatically authenticate your identity, you will receive instructions for further verification.

Why didn´t I get my credit report?

Although we usually deliver credit reports to our customers within seconds, there are some instances that prohibit us from doing so. These include:

• When there is not enough information to compile a 3 Bureau Credit Report for you. Sometimes a credit bureau does not return information about a consumer.
• When we are experiencing a technical networking issue.
• When we are not able to verify your identity.

How long will my 3 Bureau Online credit report be available?

Your report is available online for 30 days after it is delivered. It´s a good idea to print a copy for your records when you first view it.

PLUS Score

What is a PLUS Score? A PLUS Score is a credit score developed by Experian, using a similar formula to those used by lenders. It is calculated based on information contained in your credit file and can range from 330 to 830 with a higher score indicating lower credit risk to lenders. Your PLUS can help you understand what factors raise and lower your credit rating, and what you can do to improve your credit standing.

Where can I find out more about my PLUS Score?

More information about your PLUS Score can be found here.

I wasn't able to receive my PLUS Score. Was I charged?

No, we don't charge your card unless we can authenticate you and deliver your report. If we are unable to process your request, we will not charge you. Please note that when you complete our order process, your credit card may be authorized for a charge, but that does not mean that it has been charged.

How long does it take to get my PLUS Score?

Your Credit Score is calculated within seconds, as long as we are able to locate your credit report. However, if we are unable to automatically authenticate your identity, or your report cannot be located, there may be a delay.

How long will my PLUS Score and report be available?

Your report is available online for 30 days after it is delivered. It´s a good idea to print a copy for your records when you first view it.

Gene ral Questions

Is the transaction safe?

Yes, the process of sending and receiving your information is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. This technology helps ensure that your credit card information is protected. Preferred web browsers are: Netscape 6.05 or later, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, and AOL 8.0 or later

Our company has passed the rigorous security screening processes set up by ICSA and the credit reporting agencies, and we have also partnered with VeriSign, Inc. To read more about our security measures, see our security page.

What will happen to the information I enter?

The information that you provide is used to verify your identity. This information remains on our secure database to ensure confidentiality of your request. Additionally, we remove the credit report from our database after 30 days. (The credit reporting agencies will always keep your record, of course). We do not resell or provide your credit information to any third-party marketers. Please see our privacy policy for full details about how we protect the information you submit to us.

Will ordering my credit appear as an inquiry on my credit report?

Anytime your credit report is pulled - including when you order a copy of your credit report directly from the credit bureau - an inquiry is added to your report. Only some of those inquiries appear to creditors and therefore impact your credit rating. Inquiries that were made for credit cards or loans for which you applied will be shown to creditors. Inquiries added when you request a copy of your credit report or when an employer checks your credit report do not appear to creditors. We are pulling your credit report on your behalf, so the inquiry on your credit report will not be shown to creditors and will not affect your credit rating or score.

However, ALL inquiries will be displayed on copies of your credit report that you order from any of the credit bureaus. This is done so you know who has been looking at your credit. Some inquiries on your report are accompanied by a description of why the report was pulled.

I don't have a credit card. Can I still purchase a credit report?

Currently, we only accept credit card payments. Our system is not set up to accept checks or cash at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.

What is the refund policy if the transaction fails?

For first-time membership orders, we don't charge your card until after your free trial period. For returning membership and/or transactional product orders, we don't charge your card unless you get your credit report or you complete the request; however, if we are unable to process your request, we will not charge your card. Please note that when you complete the order process, your credit card may be authorized for a charge, but that does not mean that it has been charged.

Where is my report?

You may view the status of your orders by logging into My Credit Center.

Will my spouse's name and information appear on my report?

The credit reporting agencies maintain credit files on individual U.S. residents only. They do not maintain joint files for spouses. Only accounts that are in both your names or those for which you are an authorized user will show up on your report. Therefore, your credit report is separate and different from your spouse's.

How do I dispute possible inaccuracies on my credit report?

To request an investigation into information you don´t agree with on your credit report, you should write directly to the credit-reporting bureau that supplied the information. A credit bureau has 45 days to investigate disputes regarding possible inaccuracies on credit reports. The credit bureau must then give you the results in writing.

Can I order someone else's report?

No. Under federal laws, any person who knowingly and willfully obtains information on a consumer from a Credit Reporting Agency under false pretenses (for example, getting a credit report on an individual without his/her permission) shall be fined under Title 18 United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

Isn't everyone entitled to one free credit report annually?

Yes. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) allows consumers to get one free comprehensive disclosure of all of the information in their credit file from each of the three national credit reporting companies once per year through a Central Source. Click here for more information about requesting your free annual credit file disclosure.

In addition, consumers also have the right to a free credit file disclosure directly from the credit reporting companies if (paraphrased) they:

• are the recipient of an adverse action (for example, denial of credit) due to information contained in their credit file;
• are unemployed;
• are a recipient of public welfare assistance;
• have inaccuracies in their credit file due to fraud.

What are my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designed to promote accuracy, fairness, and privacy of the information in the files of credit reporting companies. Please c lick here for the summary of your major rights under the FCRA.

What are my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designed to promote accuracy, fairness, and privacy of the information in the files of credit reporting companies. Please click here for the summary of your major rights under the FCRA.

What if I forget my Username and Password?

If you have forgotten your username or password, use our reminder form. Enter your full name and the last e-mail address we have on file for you, and click "Submit". You will then be prompted to answer the question you chose as your "Reminder Phrase". If you answer this correctly, you will receive your username and password via email.

What is your authentication process and what happens if I don´t get authenticated instantly?

Generally, we can authenticate you online immediately after you place an order. If you order a product that is delivered instantly, and we are unable to verify your identity online, you have the option of going through further verification. We then deliver you a private access code via U.S. mail within 5 to 7 days, which provides you full access to your report online. For your protection, if we are still unable to verify your identity, you will be asked to Customer Service. If you submit the required information, you are agreeing to purchase the report. Once your information is received, your identity will be manually verified. You will receive an email confirming the outcome within 3 business days. If your information is verified, your login information also will be provided in this email. You can then login at the site to view your report, which will be available online for 30 days.

Why is there a sales tax and how is it calculated?

Starting December 1, 2008, certain orders may be subject to sales tax based on specific laws in your state of residence. Sales tax may be included on membership orders and any additional reports and scores that you purchase, such as a 3-Bureau report and score.

The address you provided during the order process is used to determine whether sales tax applies to your order(s) and if so, at what rate. Since sales tax rates may change over time, you might notice minor fluctuations in the membership fee.

Keeping your address up-to-date in our system will help ensure the sales tax is calculated accurately during each billing cycle. You can easily update your address information anytime by logging in to My Credit Center and using the Edit Profile section. You may also contact our Customer Care Team at 1-866-673-0140 for address changes.

FACT A

What is the FACT Act?

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) was signed into law in December 2003. The FACT Act, a revision of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, allows consumer´s to get one free comprehensive disclosure of all the information in their credit file from each of the three national credit reporting companies once every 12 months through a Central Source.

Will everyone be able to get their free statutory annual credit file disclosure at the same time?

Consumers will be able to get their statutory annual credit file disclosure beginning Dec. 1, 2004.

How can I request my free statutory annual credit file disclosure?

The FACT Act required that the national credit reporting companies establish a central source though which you will request the statutory free annual credit file disclosures. To obtain that free report, you must go to www.annualcreditrepor t.com.

Which credit reporting company´s free statutory annual credit file disclosure do I receive?

You are entitled to receive your free statutory annual credit file disclosure from each of the three national credit reporting companies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Remember, your request must be placed through the Central Source.

How often can I get a free credit file disclosure?

The FACT Act entitles consumers to get one free statutory credit file disclosure from each of the three national credit reporting companies once per year. Because of state law, residents of Georgia can receive two free credit reports per year.