I paid a stupid tax today. I had checked my credit score last week, and instead of paying the $5.95 for a one time score, I decided to enroll in the "7 day free trial" for free, and then cancel it before I had to pay. Why pay $5.95 when you can pay nothing, right?
Well, I can't really say what happened between the time that I made that decision and today when I checked my bank account, but perhaps it was all the excitement of BF coming to visit. Some how, some way, I started thinking the "trial period" was a MONTH instead of a WEEK. Needless to say, when I was logging into my new checking account today (the one that I haven't deposited money into because I'm having a heck of a time trying to get checks for it), I was VERY surprised to see that I had a NEGATIVE balance!!!
FreeCreditReport had charged 14.95 to my banking account, and then because I didn't have any deposited in there to cover it, I was charged a $35 overdraft fee. Hence the negative balance of $44.96.
At first I was ticked off because I thought I had been charged prematurely for the credit reporting, but then when I checked the site, I realized that it was only a WEEK free trial. So, it is my fault and my fault only.
So for this time, I will chalk it up to a VERY expensive credit score/report. If there is a positive to come from it, maybe it is that now I will be forced to make a stop at a local BBT branch and deposit some of the cash that BF gave me today. Maybe I will also get the checks situation straightened out.
And I did cancel the credit reporting membership effective today, so that is taken care of at least.
I have just started reading the Fly Lady website, and I am excited about starting that. Even though it really has nothing specifically to do with what happened to me today, it does focus on organization, and a "chaos" free life. Sounds good to me. I've got to get organized and stop costing myself money!
FreeCreditReport.Com Does Not Make Me Happy
March 29th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
March 29th, 2008 at 10:44 pm 1206830668
March 30th, 2008 at 12:17 am 1206836271
March 30th, 2008 at 05:46 am 1206855994
March 30th, 2008 at 06:03 am 1206857033
March 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm 1206879365
Yep, that's how they get cha. i think it's called a negative option-in, meaning you're automatically enrolled unless you make a point to cancel.
March 30th, 2008 at 03:46 pm 1206891977
I work at a credit union and KNOW that if you called and let us know those facts, we would reverse the fee. (unless, this was habitual)...Give it a try. Good luck.
March 30th, 2008 at 05:04 pm 1206896655
I've never had a returned check or NSF charge in my life, and it figures that it would be my first new checking account and a credit check that causes it. Oh well, at least I know better for next time.
March 30th, 2008 at 06:11 pm 1206900689
Honestly, we would be glad that you called and gave us an opportunity to help you...I sure hope this is the resolution you receive.