Amy Roulhac

Controversy in ads can take shape in many different forms, such as ethical responsibility. Whose responsibility is it to ensure the authenticity of statements made by a product or service; the consumer or the government? Many would say both. Shouldn’t every adult over the age of eighteen be able to make an intelligent decision about a product or service? Alternatively, is it not the government’s responsibility to protect consumers from deceptive advertisements before they hit the market? Well, here is some helpful information for unsuspecting consumers.

You have heard the catchy jingle, FreeCreditReport dot com! Tell your friends, tell your dad, tell you mom! You have stopped to watch the cute commercials featuring the FreeCreditReport rock band. Well, guess what, FreeCreditReport.com is not so free.

Many television viewers have been lead to believe that Free Credit Report .com is a free service they can use to check their credit. The benefit, saving yourself from the embarrassment and surprise of discovering you or your spouse have bad credit, before you attempt go to buy that new house or car.

Well consumers beware and take note: the only free place to receive one’s credit report is, Annual Credit Report.com. So, how do consumers really get that “free credit report”? By enrolling in a $15 a month credit monitoring program.

Word to the wise, Free Credit Report.com has also received multiple fines from the Federal Trade Commission for its misleading advertising practices.

So how about a new jingle, “Free Credit Report.com! Don’t tell your friends, your dad or your mom! There is a hidden fee! Just sign up and you will see!

Did you try this service or another thinking it was really free? How do you feel about the ads now?

Graphic Credit:
Sabrina Segal