Pretty much everyone knows by now that FreeCreditReport.com is a scam. It's no secret. However, the company still operates no matter how many people have found themselves angry about the not-so-free credit reports which reportedly charge customers around $15.00 a month for a service it tacks on along with the "free" credit report. The wrap it up in a neat little gift called "free trial" as if it's something you would actually like to try, yet require you to try it if you want your free credit report.

The site has received federal injunctions on deceptive marketing and business practices. In one of two major lawsuits FreeCreditReport.com has been involved in, they were sued by the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive marketing practices. As a result of this lawsuit, FreeCreditReport.com settled for $950,000. In an email written to the Huffington Post, Ed Mierzwinski of the US Public Interest Research Group wrote, "Consumers have wasted millions buying a service that doesn't prevent identity theft and doesn't raise your credit score, sold by one of the companies whose sloppy practices make identity theft easy and keeping your credit score accurate hard."

I signed up to FreeCreditReport.com to get my credit report. I was aware of this "membership" that I was signing up to and kept it in my head that I was going to cancel during the free trial period which is 7 days. Within 7 days, I canceled, like I promised myself. Done, right?

Today, I see on my credit card that I was charged for the membership. I called them up and told them I canceled in my seven day period. She kept calling me sir for some reason, which is weird because I don't have a masculine voice, I ignored it. Anyway, I explained to her that I don't have the credit card that I signed up with on me, but I have my SSN. She said that wouldn't be a problem. I gave her the number and she pulled up the account and said "it says here: female." I'm like, "yeah, so."
"Well you are male."
"No, I'm female."
"Well you didn't correct me when I called you sir"

What was I supposed to say to that? I just ignored her because I didn't want to be a jerk and correct her. I didn't really care what she'd called me. I hadn't called FreeCreditReport.com to correct pronouns, I just want to see why my service with them hadn't been canceled and I why I was charged.

Anyhow, she wouldn't let me cancel the service even though I could provide a maiden name, address and all that based on the fact that my voice sounded male to her. Apparently I sounded like a scammer with my "male" voice trying to cancel a service. I got pissed and hung up on her.

Right after hanging up, I decided to go on a hunt for the credit card and found it on my dresser.

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I called back and it was the same woman. I told her right off in a crappy voice, "Look, I'm female, I have my husband's credit card, and my social security number, a maiden name, and an address"

I gave her the information and she said that I never called and cancelled and that I was rightfully charged. I said, "Well what do I do? Cancel payment with my credit card company?"

"No, you can't do that because we don't have a record of you calling and canceling."

"Ok, then I would like to speak with a manager."

"Just a moment."

---The line goes blank for a bit, crackles, and the same woman gets back on the line---

Okay, we are going to remit your payment and cancel your account. Is there anything else I can help you with.

"Nope, that's it. Thank you."

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In the end you have to get really crappy with companies to get money back that is rightfully yours. If they still refuse, contact your credit card company. AND NEVER USE FREECREDITREPORT.COM. There are ways to get your a free credit report Online WITHOUT being scammed.