Anyone use the $4.95/month Experian CB monitoring service?

[PaKettle]

On a whim, without really researching it, I signed up for the $4.95/month service through Experian that promises to allow me to monitor all 3 credit bureaus' reports.

I haven't even had time to use it yet, it takes several days they say to "set up" your account, whatever that means.

Anyone use this service? is there a better one? (I actually HATE Experian and hate to give them my money, so would be happy to cancel and use another service. On the other hand, it occurred to me that maybe using their service will make it easier to dispute things with their report, because in the past they have given me the most problems of any of the 3. Is there any validity to this theory?)

[Cali]

That is a great price if you actually get all 3 reports.

On a whim, without really researching it, I signed up for the $4.95/month service through Experian that promises to allow me to monitor all 3 credit bureaus' reports.

I haven't even had time to use it yet, it takes several days they say to "set up" your account, whatever that means.

Anyone use this service? is there a better one? (I actually HATE Experian and hate to give them my money, so would be happy to cancel and use another service. On the other hand, it occurred to me that maybe using their service will make it easier to dispute things with their report, because in the past they have given me the most problems of any of the 3. Is there any validity to this theory?)

[Flamingo]

We have it and have had it for almost two years after I had a close call with someone else having my social security number for 14 years! Turned out to be a Social Security Dept. error (yes, they do make them) and not identity theft, but at their advice I started monitoring our credit at that time and just have not stopped the monitoring because they do send a message to our cell phones and also to our email if there are any changes and one comes each month if there are no changes (we monitor mine and my husband's). Also, some places have the same monitoring for free (i.e., Paypal once offered it for free to members) so check to see if that is a perk for you on any of your accounts. I can recommend the service - no issues or problems with it. And they are quick if you have an inquiry to a report - you can get a cell phone notice and/or email notice immediately.

[PaKettle]

That is a great price if they do let you see all 3.

I made a mistake when signing up. I THOUGHT it allowed you to see your credit reports, but it does NOT. In fact, all they do is notify you if THEY see any changes in your credit reports.

It's okay for what it is, but I really didn't sign up for that service, I thought I could see my credit reports with it.

So what do I sign up for to see my credit reports? Is there any such service that does not cost an arm and a leg? (yeah I know there is one free per year but I already used that up before my bankruptcy 9 months or so ago and I need to see my reports NOW.)

[Flamingo]

No, they don't - it's a monitoring service that sends you notices if there are hard inquiries on your reports or if any changes were made to your reports on either or all of the 3 major reporting agencies. I believe there is a higher cost service through Equifax that will provide your reports along with the monitoring. You may want to check that out and switch if available. When reports are provided, it's not as cheap as $4.95 per month for all three - or they were be swamped! :-)

[Flamingo]

Sorry, I meant "Experian" not "Equifax" in my previous post.

[PaKettle]

I'm hoping I never have to do business with Experian again. I'm going to look for the cheapest deal to get all 3 reports, and then see if I can just "keep 'em alive" by making disputes every so often.

[Flamingo]

It's funny as to how that differs for all. All my issues have been with Equifax. Not many issues with Experian or TransUnion. I disputed so much stuff with incorrect "Date Last Last Major Delinquency was Report" recent listings with Equifax that I shocked them in sending out 7 letters to each creditor as to the discrepancy (after disputing for several months with Equifax) and copying Equifax on each one. Don't ya know I get cleaned up reports about 6 weeks after sending out all those letters removing all those creditors and Equifax advising me they do not report to them anymore? And just a few months before that I was advised that the information was being reported correctly - now, figure that one out!

[MidwestGuy]

I'm watching all 3 through TransUnion. $14.95 a month. Few other things are included in that package as well.

[PaKettle]

I'm watching all 3 through TransUnion. $14.95 a month. Few other things are included in that package as well.

Yeah, I saw that deal. Not too bad. Can you dispute right from there, or do you have to go to each of their sites to dispute?

With Myfico they give me access to Equifax but then I have to go to Equifax's site to dispute and they do not allow disputing online, I have to do it through the mail

Whereas with Experian I can dispute online and with Transunion I can (and did) dispute online.

I got a free month from Myfico.com which gives me 2 fico scores (one now and one whenever I want it later within the month) and free access to Equifax's report for a month. Of course I can parlay that - I believe - into longer than a month because when you make disputes they have to keep your access open to see the result of the dispute(s). Same with Experian, I am still seeing that from a dispute I made months ago.