Checking credit reports with free trials

The_Boss

Hi all,

I was going to sign up for the free trials (through Quidco) for Equifax and Experian (credit expert).

I used to have the online Equifax account around 5-6 years ago. When I went to sign up for the free trial, I logged in as requested but it took me to a payment screen with the header "existing member log-in".

I last had the Experian free trial in February 2012. When I click through to the free trial, I log in and then an option comes up "renew my membership".

Now as a very experienced MSE-er, I know that you need to enter your card details for if you do not cancel at the end. However, the Equifax screen said "existing member log-in", implying I do not qualify, and was inviting me to pay for the product (no mention of free trial at that point). Does this mean I do not qualify for the free trial? Similarly with Credit Expert, does the 'renew my membership' button which is the only way of proceeding mean I will be charged without the free trial?

I'm firing off emails to both, but they take quite a while to get back...

Little_Miss_Uni-Debt

Why don't you try Noddle? That's free, gives you a breakdown of payment history & what's currently owed. It doesn't give you an exact credit score but it gives you a score out of 5. (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, Bad)

hereigoagain22

Hi, no you don't qualify for the free trial unfortunately.

Noddle does a monthly credit report free for life and is easy to sign up to x

The_Boss

Noddle used to be Call Credit, right?

The_Boss

Little_Miss_Uni-Debt wrote: »

Why don't you try Noddle? That's free, gives you a breakdown of payment history & what's currently owed. It doesn't give you an exact credit score but it gives you a score out of 5. (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, Bad)

Thanks although not interested in the scores as they mean nothing (no application data present to 'complete' what a score should be).

OneLife_OneShot

Noddle is the free part of CallCredit you can still get a statutory report from Call Credit for £2. Noddle is good for being free but its usually quite behind.

The_Boss

conisme wrote: »

Noddle is the free part of CallCredit you can still get a statutory report from Call Credit for £2. Noddle is good for being free but its usually quite behind.

It has been extremely useful, because I only ever check my Experian report but had a specific query that I needed to check on other files. Last year I had an issue with Santander suddenly stopping accepting my direct debit, which they apologised for and promised to correct what was reported to the CRAs in terms of late payments. Although it has been fine on Experian, I also wanted to see it corrected on Equifax too. The Noddle report has the correct data, so that is very reassuring. Will also check my Equifax report via the statutory report.

OneLife_OneShot

I use Noddle too but it can be slower in updating certain accounts but for being free it is top notch.

sistafromanothermista

I had this problem too, i'm not sure how it's linked though as i have changed my email address since i last had the free trial.

Experian_company_representative

If you proceeded past the 'renew my membership' page it would be made clear that as a returning customer you aren't eligible for another free trial.

James Jones

DGuest

Experian_company_representative wrote: »

If you proceeded past the 'renew my membership' page it would be made clear that as a returning customer you aren't eligible for another free trial.

James Jones

Hi James,


I cancelled my CreditExpert free trial yesterday by phone and received this email:


"We’re sorry to hear you want to cancel your CreditExpert membership. Your request has now been processed and no further payments will be taken.

Remember, you can still view your credit report and Experian Credit Score for 30 days after your last payment or the start of your trial.

Last chance to improve your credit rating

So while you can, log in and check the details on your credit report for inaccuracies that could damage your chances of being approved for credit in the future and check for information you don’t recognise, which could indicate you’ve been the victim of identity fraud.

We will send you a confirmation email on the last day of your membership.

All the best,

The CreditExpert Team"


...strongly implying that I can login without being charged, however, when I do, the memorable word confirmation button is labelled 'renew my membership'.

Can you confirm whether this means I can continue to use the service until the end of the trial, without having to call again to cancel in order to avoid being charged?

Regards,
DGuest.