Warning about Creditexpert.com

davidlaine

Perhaps it's just me! A year ago - following a link on this site - I got a free credit report from Experian / Creditexpert.com. This was a 30-day free trial, but the bit I missed was at the end of 30 days they charge you £6.99 a month for ever, and make it difficult to cancel.

• Lesson one: Always read ALL the small print!
• Lesson two: If you get online bank statements ... READ THEM

This money-saver hangs his head in shame having wasted £83.88!!!!!
Does Martin have a dunce's cap or a naughty step? I deserve both.

smileyjohn

I've done the same thing and can't cancel my 'subscription' either. It is impossibled to login and find any method of cancelling. You've reminded me now to do something about it and I'm going to call them in the morning and get my 'subscription' cancelled

Thanks

PeteHerts

I almost did the twice but on the 2nd subscription I managed to cancel over the phone and I got my 2nd years money that I'd paid for up front back in full.

smileyjohn

Once you are in there it is difficult to get out!. There is no way that I can see on the website to cancel your membership, the offices are only open 9 - 5 and the phone numbers that are on the website are not much help!.

The phone number to cancel your membership is 0800 656 9000 Ext 4

Mat_Lock

I never had a problem when I signed up first time to get my free 30 days use. I rang up and cancelled straight away.

Then when I had my identity stolen I went straight back and reapplied and have been paying ever since. I don't trust to leave it down to my bank/myself to check what's happening with my identity. Specially as nothing was flagged up until I received notice of a new Audi S3 turning up on my door step. Ordered online by the identity thief. Then when I checked Credit Expert there were 7 or 8 application for credit which I had no idea about. For a small amount per month I would rather know where my credit/applications are coming from.

Ms-Pacman

when I signed up for the experian 30 days free trial I suddenly started getting loads of phone calls, emails and letter offering me loans, debt advice. I had not signed up to anything else or applied for anything. Just wanted to check my file as I am in a dispute over an amount being tried to be collected.

I have since found out that Experian own Wescott, a well known debt agency and have also read on another well known consumer forum that Experian sells information on to related companies - although how true this is I don't know. Might explain all I have received including endless annoying phone calls

What you might find interesting is to do a SAR on Experian - not the £2 credit report which is essentially a cut done print out.
A full SAR gives a lot more information and it is quite scary how much more information they have on you then you realise. Mine was 22 pages of lots and lots of things including things like loyalty cards (nectar), surveys completed to online purchases linked to my address and email.

google the words cag cra s.a.r club
A very interesting revealing thread

Jvic28

I never had a problem with credit expert. I signed up and cancelled before they charged me no problem. I then signed up later and paid for a few months while i sorted out some errors on my report. I found it really useful. But yes, you should always read the small print and I am quite jelous that you are able to have this money come out of your account every month without noticing. I would definately have spotted the money missing.

x

C_Ronaldo

I got a credit report from experian and i emailed them and said id ike to cnacel and it was cancelled no problem

Jan_C_3

I got the 20 day trial and cancelled straight away once I'd got my report. Now they email me twice a week trying to get me to subscribe, I got a shirty email about cancelling (which I forwarded to their head office complaints team) and I get calls from 0845 845 0050 everyday asking me if I am having trouble with my debts!

I have reported 0845 845 0050 to the call preferenceing people as I have that but 0845 845 0050 deny they are marketing or selling so they say it doesn't count. I have told the call preference lot this and we'll see what they reckon.

I think that if they are calling to sell you a service then its' a sales call - whatever they want to call it.

At least now I know why I get the calls!

mikegahan

if you take out a CapitalOne credit card(the terms are not the best but i do not pay interest on it) you get a free memebership of Experian who will email you any time there is a change to your credit status, dodgey things or routine issues like a credit card company raising your credit limit without bothering to tell you. It is free, not a deferred subscription and to date it has been very impressive. You also get a limited number of basic credit reports.

leaston

I've been using creditexpert.com for around 12mths now and have spoken to them (Experian) on the phone at length about Black Horse Finance (who royally screwed my credit rating - another story coming soon!). Experian were extremely helpful and polite on the phone and their web service has saved me far more than the £6 per month I pay. I haven't had a single marketing call since signing up from anyone else.

It's been well worth the money so far for me, but that won't be the case for everyone.

Regards,
Leaston.