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FAMILY SECURE SM
Why does my child have a credit history?
There are several legitimate reasons for your child to have a credit history. Some credit card companies allow parents to add children to their credit cards. Your child might have a credit history if he or she is listed as an authorized user on your account.
Why can't I see my child's information online?
We take you and your children´s privacy and security seriously. That´s why we insist upon verifying your identity before we show you any of your children´s personal information such as a Credit Report. Because there is no definite way for you to prove that you are the parent or guardian of your child online, we require you to fax documentation to us as proof. Once we have received this information and verified that you are the parent or guardian, you will be able to obtain a hard copy of your child´s information in the mail. That way, no else can access your child´s information.
If I can obtain this information about my child's files, can't other people also obtain this information?
No. That is why you cannot view your child´s information online. You must first fax in documents proving that you are the parent or legal guardian before we will send your child´s Credit Report.
If I enroll my child, what will you do with my child's information?
When you enroll your children, we use their information to monitor their credit information. We are unable to monitor your children´s personal information until you provide us with their first and last names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers. This information is required to verify their identities. Your children´s information is safe with us, and will be used to verify their identities, and so we may begin monitoring their personal information. To learn more, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Is my child entitled to a free Credit Report by law?
Yes. You will find instructions for requesting your child´s free Credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. For security and privacy reasons, only parents or guardians may request a Credit Report on behalf of a minor child under 13 years of age. Please note that additional identification documentation must be provided to prove you are the child´s parent or guardian. Instructions for completing these requests can be accessed through www.annualcreditreport.com
Can I monitor my child without enrolling myself in this product?
No. You must be an active member of our website to enjoy the valuable benefits of Family Secure, such as child protection.
How do I change the information on my report?
You may not change items in your Credit Report unless the information is proven to be inaccurate, or you initiate a dispute process that results in updated information. To dispute an item in your Credit Report, go to your “Credit Center,” then to “Dispute Information.”
How can I reactivate a deactivated child?
Once you have deactivated your child from Family Secure, you must contact our customer care team to reactivate that child. Simply call us at: 1-888-609-2456.
Which credit reporting company's credit report do I receive?
FamilySecure.com provides you with an Experian® Credit Report.
Why didn't I get my online credit report?
Although we usually deliver online credit reports to our customers within seconds, there are some instances in which we are prohibited from doing so. These include:
- When we are not able to verify your identity. For your security, we only deliver your credit report when you pass our online identity verification process.
- When we are experiencing a technical issue.
- When the credit reporting company does not return a credit report. Sometimes the credit reporting company does not have enough information to create a credit file for you.
FACTA
What is the FACT Act?
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) was signed into law in December 2003. The FACT Act, a revision of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, allows consumers to get one free comprehensive disclosure of all the information in their credit file from each of the three national credit reporting companies once every 12 months through a Central Source.
Will everyone be able to get their free statutory annual credit file disclosure at the same time?
Consumers will be able to get their statutory annual credit file disclosure beginning Dec. 1, 2004.
How can I request my free statutory annual credit file disclosure?
The FACT Act required that the national credit reporting companies establish a central source though which you will request the statutory free annual credit file disclosures. To obtain that free report, you must go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
Which credit reporting company's free statutory annual credit file disclosure do I receive?
You are entitled to receive your free statutory annual credit file disclosure from each of the three national credit reporting companies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Remember, your request must be placed through the Central Source.
How often can I get a free credit file disclosure?
The FACT Act entitles consumers to get one free statutory credit file disclosure from each of the three national credit reporting companies once per year. Because of state law, residents of Georgia can receive two free credit reports per year.
What are monitoring alerts?
Your Experian Credit Report is monitored daily to see if key information has changed or if new data has been added. You will receive a monitoring alert if essential information has changed on your report. That way, you can identify fraudulent activity early in cases where credit activity is unfamiliar or unauthorized.
A Monthly “No Activity” email will be sent when no key changes have been posted to any of your three national credit reports in the past month.
How do I enroll for SMS Text Messaging alerts?
Alerts of key changes to your credit reports are always sent through email. As a member, you have the option to also receive alerts via SMS Mobile Text messaging. There are three alert emails that you may receive through SMS Mobile Text Messaging:
- Monitoring Alert -- This will inform you whenever a key change is detected on your Experian credit report .
To begin receiving SMS Text Messaging alerts, simply log in, and click the "My Account" link to update your preferences.
When will I receive my first daily monitoring alerts?
If you are a new member, please note that for parents and guardians it may take up to five to seven days from the date you ordered to be enrolled in the daily monitoring system.
Which credit reporting company's credit report does Family Secure monitor?
Family Secure monitors your Experian Credit Report. You will be notified of several important changes to your Experian Credit Report and, if you choose, SMS Mobile Text messaging alerts. You'll know about new derogatory information, recent inquiries into your credit, and several indicators of possible Identity Theft. Remember, Family Secure members also receive unlimited copies of their Experian® Credit Report and PLUS Score with paid membership.
How do I cancel my membership?
If for any reason you are not satisfied, you may cancel anytime to discontinue your membership to Family Secure and stop the monthly billing. However, you will not be eligible for a prorated refund of any portion of your current month's paid membership fee. To cancel, please contact Customer Service at 1-888-609-2456.
SCORE TRACKER
How often is my score tracked?
Your score is automatically plotted on the Score Tracker once every month during your active membership.
Why doesn't the score number on the graph match the score number on my report?
Your credit score is a dynamic number based on the contents of your Experian® Credit Report the moment it is requested. As creditors report new information and your existing information ages, your credit report constantly changes, often impacting your credit score. The Score Tracker displays the credit score that was calculated based on the information in your credit report on a particular date each month. If the credit report you are looking at was requested on a different date, your score could vary.
Why does my score show as "zero"/"0" under my Credit Profile?
Your credit score is displayed on your Credit Profile after you request a new credit report and score and is viewable for 30 days. After 30 days, the score data will disappear and be replaced with a "zero." Simply refresh your Credit Profile by requesting a new report and score.
Where does the Score Tracker get its information?
Your credit score on the Score Tracker is always based off data from your Experian® Credit Report.
If I don't pull a report each month, will a new score appear on the Score Tracker anyway?
Yes, even if you don't pull your credit report, the Monthly Score Tracker will automatically track your score each month during your active membership.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Is the transaction safe?
Yes, the process of sending and receiving your information is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. This technology helps ensure that your credit card and other sensitive information is protected. Preferred web browsers are: Netscape 6.05 or later, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, and AOL 8.0 or later.
Our company has rigorous security screening processes set up by ICSA and the credit reporting agencies, and we have also partnered with VeriSign, Inc.
What will happen to the information I enter?
The information that you provide is used to verify your identity and remains in our system. We do not resell or provide your credit information to any third-party marketers. Please see our privacy policy for full details about how we protect the information you submit to us.
Will ordering my credit report appear as an inquiry on my credit report?
Anytime your credit report is pulled - including when you order a copy of your credit report directly from the credit reporting company - an inquiry is added to your report. Only some of those inquiries appear to creditors and therefore impact your credit score. Inquiries that were made for credit cards or loans for which you applied will be shown to creditors. Inquiries added when you request a copy of your credit report or when an employer checks your credit report do not appear to creditors. We are pulling your credit report on your behalf, so the inquiry on your credit report will not be shown to creditors and will not affect your credit score.
However, ALL inquiries will be displayed on copies of your credit file disclosure that you order directly from the credit reporting companies' consumer assistance centers. This is done so you know who has been looking at your credit. Some inquiries on your report are accompanied by a description of why the report was pulled.
I don't have a credit card. Can I still purchase an online credit report?
Currently, we only accept credit card payments. Our system is not set up to accept checks or cash at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
What is the refund policy if the transaction fails?
We don't charge your card unless you get your credit report or you complete the request. If we are unable to process your request, we will not charge your card. Please note that when you complete the order process, your credit card may be authorized for a charge, but that does not mean that it has been charged.
Where is my report?
You may view the status of your orders by visiting the "Account Summary" section of your membership.
Will my spouse's name and information appear on my report?
The credit reporting companies maintain credit files on individual U.S. residents only. They do not maintain joint files for spouses. Only accounts that are in both your names or those for which you are an authorized user will show up on your report. Therefore, your credit report is separate and different from your spouse's.
How do I dispute possible inaccuracies on my credit report?
Experian® wants your credit information to be as accurate as possible. If you have reviewed your credit report and believe that the information is inaccurate, you can dispute it online for the fastest resolution. To access online disputes with Experian, go to a current online copy of your credit report and click on the link "Click here for Experian Online Dispute" located near the item you believe is inaccurate.
To request an investigation into information you don't agree with on your Equifax or TransUnion credit report, you should write directly to the credit reporting company that supplied the information. For details, please see the Dispute Information page located in the "Resources Center" section of your membership.
Why aren't the graphs or calculators showing up?
You must have Java installed in order to view our graphs and calculators. You may download Java free of charge at www.java.com.
Can I order someone else's report?
No. Under federal law, any person who knowingly and willfully obtains information on a consumer from a credit reporting company under false pretenses (for example, getting a credit report on an individual without his/her permission) shall be fined under Title 18 United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.
What are my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act?
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designed to promote accuracy, fairness, and privacy of the information in the files of credit reporting companies. Please click here for the summary of your major rights under the FCRA.
What if I forget my Username and Password?
If you have forgotten your username or password, click "Forgot your password" at the customer login page. Enter your full name, last 4 digits of your Social Security Number, and date of birth, and click "Submit". You will then be prompted to enter your mother's maiden name, and answer the question you chose as your "Reminder Phrase." If you answer correctly, you will be prompted to change your password.
What is your authentication process and what happens if I don't get authenticated instantly?
Generally, we can authenticate you online immediately after you place an order. If you order a product that is delivered instantly, and we are unable to verify your identity online, you have the option of going through further verification. We then deliver you a private access code via U.S. mail within five to seven days, which provides you full access to your report online. For your protection, if we are still unable to verify your identity, you will be referred to Customer Service. If you submit the required information, you are agreeing to purchase the report. Once your information is received, your identity will be manually verified. You will receive an email confirming the outcome within three business days. If your information is verified, your login information also will be provided in this email. You can then login at the site to view your report, which will be available online for 30 days.
Why is there a sales tax and how is it calculated?
Starting December 1, 2008, certain orders may be subject to sales tax based on specific laws in your state of residence. Sales tax may be included on membership orders and any additional reports and scores that you purchase, such as a 3-Bureau report and score.
The address you provided during the order process is used to determine whether sales tax applies to your order(s) and if so, at what rate. Since sales tax rates may change over time, you might notice minor fluctuations in the membership fee.
Keeping your address up-to-date in our system will help ensure the sales tax is calculated accurately during each billing cycle. You can easily update your address information anytime by logging in to My Credit Center and using the Edit Profile section. You may also contact our Customer Care Team at 1-888-609-2456 for address changes.
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