Do you use credit monitoring?
 

I keep getting solicitations from Equifax for their credit monitoring services.

Anyone using a monitoring service?

I pull a free report every year at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

Sometimes I do all 3 agencies, sometimes just one for a quick check. May not be as good as regular monitoring, but I'd catch something in 12 months or less ...

G

I have had my personal info compromised about 4 times in the last 2 years after hackers hit the big companies. We were given free monitoring for a couple of years.

same here. I was amazed at the crap on there that wasn't right. I hate to think decisions are made about people based on what's on those reports.

I hit the three agencies for the truly free report at intervals throughout the year. You can get a report every four months that way. The amount of incorrect information is alarming at times, but if you keep up with it you can get rid of the bad info. It ticks me off that they rate your credit with a FICO score and make you pay them to see it. It's your information, you should be able to access it for free.

I have pulled my credit report a few times. I don't pay anyone to do it.

+1

I also use credit karma.com (free service) every month or so for a checkup.

Clark Howard suggest Credit Karma as they Email a monthly report free every month.

credit karma for me. No credit card or SS# required.

I've wondered how many of these "free credit score" sites are really just harvesting data for ID theft.

I simply asked for my FICO numbers recently when I was talking to a lender about refinancing the house; 813, 816 or 819, depending on the bureau.

I know the founder/CEO of creditkarma personally and have used his site for about 5 years... Definitely the real deal.

That being said, you are right that many of these sites (eg mint) monetize by mining data.

All the agencies offer to lock your credit for free. I can unlock it for a specific time or lender if needed otherwise no accounts can be opened.

Grant,

Once again thanks for the tip. I have been also using Mint.com with much success with tracking my money.

I just did my first credit check this morning and I was woefully suprised.

+1. You guys should pay attention to this post. Monitoring one's credit is taking action "after the damage has been done" and an ongoing hassle while this approach prevents the damage from occuring. Used to be $10 per agency...best $30 I've ever spent. For free, it's a no-brainer :).

ps: Added bonus...much of the bs junk mail "credit offers" cease to fill up your mailbox when they can't access your info!