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last updated June 1, 2008
Online Credit Reports & Monitoring Services
Cost Benefit Comparison Chart
*Costs subject to change without notice.
With so many choices for credit report and credit score services, which product to choose can be a difficult decision. We are bombarded by television, radio, and internet ads on a daily basis, particularly with the current economic conditions which have no doubt elevated the importance of individual credit scores. If you just want a quick look at your credit, choose a single credit report or a free credit report. The free credit reports usually come with a credit monitoring trial. A credit monitoring service can be a very valuable tool in your credit repair efforts, as well as the fight against identity theft, and there are many out there that are run by large, reputable companies. If you want a complete look at your credit reports and credit scores from all the credit bureaus, try a credit monitoring service or three bureau (tri-merged) credit report.
The reality is, that most of these are the same products and services "repackaged" by different companies, with some variation in pricing and included services. If you purchase a creditmonitoring product and you decide that the
service is not useful for your personal situation, you typically can cancel within the trial period but still get free access to your credit report and score. Whatever your individual needs, we have researched many of the services out there and have constructed the table below to provide a convenient, side-by-side
comparison of the products and services that they offer.
As of Jan 1, 2004, all credit bureaus are required to give out one free credit report per year. However, they are not required to give out your credit score for free. Most bureaus have a charge of $9 - $15 if you want your score included. Don't despair, though; there are ways to get FREE credit reports and scores through signing up for a credit monitoring service. Many credit monitoring services provide a 7 to 30 day free trial, including unlimited access to their service(s), which typically includes a free credit report with a credit score, as well as credit monitoring.
SERVICE OR BUREAU NAME
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SCORING MODEL
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TRIMERGED REPORT COST
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SINGLE REPORT COST
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CREDIT MONITORING PROGRAM
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BENEFITS &
POTENTIAL
PROBLEMS
|
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Equifax.com
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FICO
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29.95 (without score) $39.95 (with score)
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$14.95(with score) $9(without score)
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Equifax Credit Watch Gold with 3-in-1 monitoring and Score Power, $14.95/mo, 3 bureau monitoring, free 30 day trial and credit report with score
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FICO score is used by most lenders, and free trial included.
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Experian.com
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Experian "PLUS" Score
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$39.95 (3 bureau w/Plus Score included)
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$15 (Plus Score included)
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Triple Advantage plan offers 7 day free trial, is $14.95/mo, includes 3 bureau monitoring and unlimited Experian credit reports/scores
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All 3 bureaus are monitored, free trial, but you only receive Experian credit reports and scores
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TransUnion.com
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TransUnion scoring system
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$29.95 (includes TU score)
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$14.95 (includes TU score
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Includes unlimited TU report and scores for $11.95/mo, 30 day free trial
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Only one bureau is monitored; no FICO score included
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freecreditreport.com
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Experian "PLUS" Score
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$39.95 (3 bureau w/Plus Score included)
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$15 (Plus Score included)
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Triple Advantage plan offers 7 day free trial, is $14.95/mo, includes 3 bureau monitoring and unlimited Experian credit reports/scores
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Site is run by Experian; All 3 bureaus are monitored, free trial, but you only receive Experian credit reports and scores
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creditchecktotal.com |
Experian "PLUS" Score |
N/A |
N/A |
Offers 7 day free trial, $19.95/mo, unlimited reports and scores from 3 bureaus |
Provides scores for all 3 bureau reports, using Experian PLUS scoring model |
myfico.com
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FICO
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$47.85 (includes all 3 credit bureau reports and 3 FICO scores)
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$15.95 (includes 1 credit bureau FICO score and report of your choice)
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For $89.95/yr ($7.50/mo) you get a free Equifax credit report and FICO score; 30 day free trial; and 2 free ScorePower reports/yr
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Doesn't include unlimited report access, but does include FICO score(s)
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creditreport.com
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FICO
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$29.95 (includes 3 reports/3 scores)
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$12.95 (includes single report/score of your choice)
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30 day free trial, $12.95/mo, free credit report and FICO score from one bureau, email alerts
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Monitoring is less expensive but doesn't seem to offer as much value
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identityguard.com
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Various
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N/A
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N/A
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The "total protection plan" is available for $14.99/month (second month free), includes free reports and scores from all 3 bureaus on a quarterly basis
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Useful for identity theft detection and prevention |
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TransUnion scoring system
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N/A
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N/A
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Privacy Matters 1-2-3 service offers a 7 day free trial, is $29.95/mo, includes unlimited reports and FICO scores from all 3 bureaus using TU
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Offers a good data package and free trial but a little pricey
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truecredit.com
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TransUnion scoring system
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N/A
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N/A
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Creditmonitoring for $14.95/mo, no free trial, unlimited reports and scores from all 3 bureaus
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Same service as Privacy Matters 1-2-3, cheaper but no free trial
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| annualcreditreport.com |
TransUnion Scoring System, FICO, Experian Plus System
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N/A
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N/A
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This site is run by the 3 major credit bureaus and is for providing your free annual credit reports as required by law. The law does not require them to give you free credit scores, however.
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You may purchase a credit score from any of the 3 bureaus for $5.95 - $7.95
Using this service bumps up the time that credit bureaus have to investigate your credit disputes from 30 to 45 days.
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creditbureau.com
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FICO
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$29.95 (no score) $39.95 (with Equifax FICO score)
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$10.50 (no score) $15.95 (with Equifax FICO score)
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Creditmonitoring is offered through Equifax, same programs as above, you may save a few dollars here though
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FICO scores are given, but unclear whether a free trial is available
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* For more details, please check out each service's websites.
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