Today I decided to check my credit score. Immediately, I thought of FreeCreditReport.com. I went there and filled in all the appropriate information. Then I was asked for my credit card number. Credit card number? I thought it was free? Just to be sure that my idea of free is a correct one, I checked dictionary.com for the definition related to price/cost. Here it is:
11. provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.
12. given without consideration of a return or reward: a free offer of legal advice.
Yep, that's what I thought it meant. Hmmm... So the deal was, there was a 7 day trial period, after which they would automatically charge you the monthly fee for "Triple Advantage" membership. Ok... Maybe they meant "free" as in free to cancel before you're charged? Anyways, after reviewing my credit report I tried to do just that. I could not find anything on their website about how to cancel. Finally, I clicked "Contact Us" where I found a "FAQ" with the question "How do I cancel my membership?". Here's, in short, what it said:
To cancel, please contact Customer Care at 1-888-xxx-xxxx.
What?? You mean I have to call to cancel? Pssh. Figures... But I sent them a lovely e-mail instead:
I would like to cancel my trial membership. And no, I will not call so that you can put me on hold and then try to talk me out of it. Nice try. Funny that a site called "FreeCreditReport.com" would try to con you into paying money.
What, seriously, has this world come to? Free should mean free. Free of cost, and free of obligation to cancel within 7 days to avoid being charged. And if you can register online, you should be able to cancel online. There should be a law to that effect...