FreeCreditScore.com Credit Monitoring Plan Review

In a crowded field of credit monitoring services, FreeCreditScore.com stands out for reasons beyond the fact that we've all seen the commercials for its sister-site, FreeCreditReport.com, featuring that down-trodden, yet cheerful band, singing about the pitfalls of financial obliviousness.

What really elevates FreeCreditScore.com above the others is its lineage as a member of the Experian family of financial information services. Experian is, of course, one of the three major credit reporting agencies (the other two being Equifax and TransUnion.) So, while other services offer to act as an intermediary between you and these agencies to provide access to your credit reports and credit scores, FreeCreditScore.com has an inside track.

Particularly appealing about dealing with FreeCreditScore.com is that, with its direct link to Experian and other Experian offerings, it can focus on serving your needs without piling on lots of tangential come-ons. Many other credit monitoring services use your information to collect "leads" that they sell to various commercial enterprises - mortgage brokers, credit repair services, auto loan providers, etc.. So, while you may simply be interested in acquiring your free credit score, your inbox lands up being inundated by marketing proposals. With Experian at its foundation, FreeCreditScore.com foregoes those additional revenue streams, leaving the consumer with a less complicated and more trustworthy experience.

What FreeCreditScore.com does share with most of its competitors is the requirement that you register for a 7-day free trial of its credit monitoring service in order to receive your free credit score. As with all these companies, you have 7 days to cancel your membership, or you'll start to be charged a monthly fee of $14.95. Even here, however, FreeCreditScore.com offers extra convenience: you may cancel through an email if you prefer, rather that relying of their toll-free number.

The credit monitoring service promoted by FreeCreditScore.com, of course, is Experian's own Triple Advantage program - and once you've tried it for a week you may very well be persuaded to stay onboard.

Triple Advantage provides these useful services:

* Online access to your Experian credit report and score, but you also daily monitoring of your credit reports held by Equifax and TransUnion.
* You'll receive emails to alert you when changes occur, so you know if your accounts are exposed to any unauthorized activity or erroneous information.
* Your credit score is monitored, and you are alerted whenever it changes for the better or for the worse - especially if your score drifts towards a new risk level.
* In case you become the victim of identity theft, you are protected by the $50,000 Triple Advantage Guarantee, coupled with 24-7 access to a Fraud Resolution Specialist.
* Receive a monthly statement with your credit score, summary of alerts, and an inventory of the major financial indicators displayed in your profile for potential lenders.
* Because you are dealing with Experian, you have an online fast-track to disputing incorrect information that may be contained in your credit report.

The bottom line is that through FreeCreditScore.com you are connected to the best in the business. You'll not only have access to vital information regarding your financial well-being, but a relationship with professionals who can actually help you if things go wrong. Triple Advantage is a credit monitoring service that is well worth $14.95 per month.

Now, if only you could get their theme song out of your head...