Online Credit Reports & Credit Monitoring Services - Comparison Chart
Last Updated: February, 2011
*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.
* For more details, please check out each service's websites.
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