Checkmyfile 'unlimited access' - anyone else had issues?

yenool

I joined the checkmyfile website to check my credit reports last month; I opted for the £17.95 quarterly subscription which offers access to all 3 reports and allows you to refresh the reports every month........... So far so good.

Anyhow I decided to cancel the recurring billing via paypal as I figured I had paid for the quarter and I didn't want the rebill to renew automatically.... Anyhow, when I went to refresh my credit reports this month they are asking me for more money, saying I have canceled my recurring billing? -

But surely that £17.95 quarterly payment should cover me for 3 months (IE: three reports)


Also as far as I can see the reports are not showing full data of accounts that I know to be active and I generally feel ripped off.

Has anyone else had issues withh them?

balmk

Hi, I have subscribed with them for the last couple of years and have found them to be very helpful, so it would be worth getting in touch with them.

I pay by recurring credit card payment, and it is only when my credit card has expired and I forget to update it that my access gets suspended.

It may be becuase the system wants to see that you have a permanent renewal method on there and because it has been canceleld it is cuasing issues?

Drop them an emaill; they usually repsond in a couple of hours.

System

yenool
Probably best to give them a call and ask them to give you what you have paid for.

To be honest checkmyfile really isn't worth it. Take a look at how much data is missing from their reports:



Experian is by far the most utilised credit reference agency of the three so it's not much use having virtually all the important data missing!

If you must use a subscription service, Credit Expert by Experian will be more useful. Or just request your reports by post whenever you feel like for £2 each.

balmk
Be careful with recurring card payments. Regardless of whether the card expires, gets replaced or even if you close the account, they can still claim payment. The only way to cancel it is to ask the payee and rely on them doing it, they are not self cancelable.

Regards
UNDERGROUND

choc_mouse

I think with checkmyfile (haven't re-read the T&Cs) if you cancel before the end of the first quarter, then you've basically cancelled your access. Which is why it wants you to pay again.

I only check my credit report occasionally but the quarterly-access on checkmyfile works out the best value. So once a year, I just use my CC to setup a recurring card payment.

- First month, get reports immediately preferably in first week of the month. Then change quarterly payment date to the end of the month.
- Second month get report as usual.
- Third month get final report. Ring their CS to cancel my subscription before the end of the month. (Done this before and they don't ask any questions; just confirm name/address etc and done - takes less than a minute.)

Then I don't bother checking again until I need to e.g. before any major credit application or just out of curiosity once per year.

yenool

choc_mouse wrote: »

I think with checkmyfile (haven't re-read the T&Cs) if you cancel before the end of the first quarter, then you've basically cancelled your access. Which is why it wants you to pay again.

I only check my credit report occasionally but the quarterly-access on checkmyfile works out the best value. So once a year, I just use my CC to setup a recurring card payment.

.

Yes, you are right. It seems by going on to paypal and stopping the billing from renewing (so I didn't forget), I have cancelled my access to further reports, despite paying for 3months in advance.

although hidden away in their terms and conditions (who reads those until AFTER they have a problem??) I feel this is very sneaky as it is NOT the way MOST other sites operate.... I mean is is normal to be able to join any paysite / subscription site and to be able to cancel the membership on the same day but still receive access for the period paid for.

This is wrong IMO and I am currently complaining to checkmyfile customer services.

balmk

UNDERGROUND wrote: »

yenool


balmk
Be careful with recurring card payments. Regardless of whether the card expires, gets replaced or even if you close the account, they can still claim payment. The only way to cancel it is to ask the payee and rely on them doing it, they are not self cancelable.

Regards
UNDERGROUND

Hi, thanks for the heads-up. I have checked with them and it hasn't set up like a recurring payment - it just bills against the details that I have on the account, and if I remove them they are unable to bill.

Daveb

I think they offer a great service, used them for well over a year now.

Underground - I dont think its that Checkmyfile doesnt give all the information - the credit agencys all hold different information. For example experian doesnt actually hold information on credit files. Between the two other companies - one gives company names, the other doesnt. However between all 3 reports you get all the information you want.

I was paying by Debit card but they have stopped this for some reason? I havent gave any new credit card details yet - just moved house so will wait a month or two.

CannyJock

Daveb wrote: »

For example experian doesnt actually hold information on credit files.

Who told you that? My Experian and Equifax credit reports look pretty detailed

YorkshireBoy

Daveb wrote: »

Underground - I dont think its that Checkmyfile doesnt give all the information...

Well if the excluded data shown by the crosses in UNDERGROUND's post #3 doesn't present any doubts as to the quality of the material purchased, maybe this from the 'checkmyfile' T&Cs should...

7. We provide credit reports on a simplified basis to make it easier to understand the contents. If you are using our services to check the accuracy of your own file, you acknowledge that a credit report from us is not the same as the file you would receive if you exercise your statutory rights to obtain a copy of your credit file from any credit reference agency at any time upon payment of the statutory fee of £2.

http://www.checkmyfile.com/content.asp?display=terms

For example experian doesnt actually hold information on credit files.

Please explain further?

However between all 3 reports you get all the information you want.

You do if you purchase them directly. If you go to checkmyfile you clearly don't! Witness the table in post #3 and condition 7 above.

In summary, £6 gets you everything...£17.95 gets you bits and bats!

System

Daveb wrote: »

I think they offer a great service, used them for well over a year now.

Underground - I dont think its that Checkmyfile doesnt give all the information - the credit agencys all hold different information. For example experian doesnt actually hold information on credit files. Between the two other companies - one gives company names, the other doesnt. However between all 3 reports you get all the information you want.

I was paying by Debit card but they have stopped this for some reason? I havent gave any new credit card details yet - just moved house so will wait a month or two.

Daveb
You really need to do some research about credit reference agencies (CRA) and credit reports. I'm not trying to be patronising, I just think you need to get a real picture of your credit files' contents and not the severely trimmed down version offered by checkmyfile.

Also, I think you have confused what is shown on the table in post #3, it does not show what information the CRAs hold, it shows what information will be missing when you order your report from them.

Have a look at the following thread:

Credit Reference Agencies - Who Really Uses Who?!

You'll see just how important Experian are in the CRA world.

Regards
UNDERGROUND

Daveb

That t&c says 'simplified basis' - not that they have cut out information from your credit file!!!

In my experience I have had a credit file from Equifax before. The information I receive from Checkmyfile contains every piece of information I got in the report from Equifax directly. Yes it is presented differently, ie. Checkmyfile split the report into sections by Credit Card, Bank Account, Loans etc...

I have never got a report directly from Call Credit or Experian so cant compare.

Re: Experian - when you go into the Credit Accounts section of your report within Checkmyfile it states the following:

" Your credit report based on Experian is a public credit report, as seen by landlords, employers and most UK companies, who do not share payment history and are therefore unable to view your details. Only around 200 of the largest lenders actually view shared account history, though there are over 4000 registered lenders, banks, building societies, mortgage lenders, credit unions and specialist lenders in the UK.
If you wish to check your credit reports specifically to see your Payment Performance, we recommend you check your report based on Callcredit or Equifax data."




Are you saying they are speaking out their a*** Underground?