'Truecredit.com'

Fred (64.76.37.59) -

Truecredit advertises that you can receive unlimited credit reports for a small monthly fee.

When you sign up you get a copy of your credit report and they say it is available for 30 days.

Ok, so you can see the same report for 30 days. That is not exactly my idea of "unlimited." In fact, why shouldn't they let you see the report for 10 years! Even better you can print the report or save it on your computer and review it as often as you like for as long as you like... so what's the big deal about them saving it for 30 days?

After a few days, of course, the information is stale. So after 28 days why do you want to look at a report that is a month old? Even after a week it is probably stale for any practical purposes (to see if errors have been corrected, so see what a bank you apply for credit at, will see, etc).

Already I was upset so I complained to the BBB about it. After about a month truecredit said, I could use the "update report" function if I wanted a "new" report more often than 30 days.

Ok! I found the "update report" link (maybe I missed it before), it is in small print and not designed for people to use.

When you click it the first requirement is to opt out of some kind of "special offer". Then you are informed that you already have a report from within the last 30 days and should look at that.

If you instead choose to really get a new report then you have to confirm the report is really for you (again).

What is clear is that they don't want to you regularly see your report. Do you think they encourage credit granters to use 30 day old reports to make decisions? Why should you?

I found over a 4 day period one of my credit scores when up several points.

If you use truecredit (or maybe other services to see your credit report), make should you are actually getting a current report and not one days, weeks, or months old!

Comment #1 Jimmy (152.163.35.214) -

It is a good idea to check your report and scores before you make an application for credit and immediately after. This works especially good if you do an online application so you know exactly when your report is accessed.

For example, I found an online back account application reduced my score by 4 points as a result of the inquiry. The very sad part is that since the bank will never report back to the credit bureau they are just leaching from it.

How long will it take to recover those 4 points? That answer I will find out by regularly (like daily) checking my scores.

I found my score (from another bureau) dropped about 6 points over a week even though nothing was reported (good or bad).

Only with updates more often than monthly can you analyze specially what helps and hurts your score. To learn when exactly in the month different creditors report new information and how that affects your scores.

If a credit card reports your account on the 15th and it helps your scores, you should apply for credit after the 15th not before.

Comment #2 Moe from Vancouver, Canada -

Thanks for the information! I have had a problem with credit for a long time, and need to start keeping track. I'll use this and make sure i'm looking at an updated credit report!

Comment #3 Kyndra from Somewhere Out There -

That was some of the best information I have seen about credit scores lately. I need drastically to improve my credit score to buy a house in the next 3-5 years when my husband and I both graduate from college. I didn't even realize there was a site that would allow you to check your credit daily without paying each time you did it.

Comment #4 Moe from Vancouver, Canada -

Yeah me either! I was always under the assumption that NOTHING ever comes free! It's nice to know for once, something is helpful, and free at the same time :)

Comment #5 PokerPrincess (1) from Earth -

What I don't understand is why can't a person get their own credit score for free. The companies investigating you pay to have credit reports done so it's not like the credit companies are losing out on money.

I mean this is all information about you and what about the Freedom of Information Act doesn't that cover all information that pertains to you?

I certainly think this is an area that should be looked into.

Comment #6 snowbird (1) from The North -

I rarely check my credit report. I know it is a good idea to do so in case of fraud or someone intending to steal your identity. I just don't like the fact that it shows as an inquiry on your report, which could lower your score.

Comment #7 Eileen from The Blogosphere -

I had no idea checking your credit report would actually harm it until it was too late. It really does make a difference. I had applied to different places for vehicle financing and because I had inquired about my credit, my scores ended up lower, thus getting a higher interest rate.

Comment #8 Tara from Somewhere cold -

I don't understand either why we can't get our credit score information for free. It's ours anyways!! I think it's such a ripoff and the ones that you're allowed to get once a year for "free" is completely useless.

Comment #9 lexzy (216.147.158.21) -

i need credit card visa, amex, discovery and more you can email me at lexzy_coded@yahoo.com

Comment #10 annette j smith (74.46.155.25) -

i want to be able to monitor my credit score so i can see if im improving on my credit.

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