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Monday, July 7th
At first glance, Credit Verify seems like a comprehensive option for credit monitoring in Canada, offering daily checks on your TransUnion credit score, alerts for suspicious activities, guidance for credit history errors, and the enticing perk of "reward dollars" that can be redeemed for discounts. However, diving deeper into the service reveals some concerning aspects that should make you reconsider its appeal.
Daily TransUnion updates if you live in their service area
Credit Verify's offerings include daily TransUnion credit monitoring, fraud and reporting error guidance, monthly "reward dollars," and a real-time credit score simulator. But, it's crucial to note early on that the service is currently limited to residents of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.
You'll pay $1 to try it for a week
To test Credit Verify, you'll need to invest $1 in a 7-day trial, which then automatically transitions into a $34.95 per month membership plan. This approach is different from the norm, where many credit tracking services provide either free features or a jump-right-in paid subscription. This initial paywall at Credit Verify might be a deterrent for those seeking a commitment-free trial.
Often described as a scam
Despite its seemingly robust features, Credit Verify suffers from a tarnished reputation, particularly under its parent company, Credique LLC. Even though the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has upgraded the company to a "B-” grade (up from a "D” at the time of our last evaluation), we continue to see scary feedback from consumers across Canada. In fact, we didn't find a single review from a subscriber thrilled with the Credit Verify service. The word most commonly used to describe the experience here is "scam”. Not a good sign. Many people express frustration with the toll-free number provided for subscription cancellation being out of service (especially since the only way you can cancel that $34.95/month is via phone or regular post).
You may wind up subscribed here after applying somewhere else
A number of Canadians found themselves inadvertently subscribed to Credit Verify during the application process elsewhere (for a loan or other credit product, not even on the Credit Verify website) and were billed hundreds of dollars before they realized it. The refund offered? Often just $34.95, and almost always less than the total amount charged. Imagine having to dispute your credit monitoring service... with your credit card company. That's the reality for a lot of Credit Verify members, unfortunately.
Canada's lowest-ranked option for credit monitoring
Given these concerns, it's obvious that there are more reliable avenues for credit monitoring in Canada. Whether you want to work with credit bureau services directly or choose a reputable third-party platform, there are alternatives that prioritize your peace of mind. Your credit history is too vital to be entrusted to a monitoring service with a questionable track record, and Credit Verify's numerous issues make it plain that it's not a trustworthy option. Explore the higher-ranked services in our review for a more hassle-free and transparent credit monitoring experience.
Credit monitoring services have become very popular in recent years. Because financial transactions are increasingly conducted online, the risk of identity theft and fraud is greater now than ever before. Credit monitoring services act as a vigilant guardian against such threats by continuously monitoring credit reports for any suspicious activity.
In Canada, these services help you keep track of your credit information and detect any potential signs of identity theft or fraudulent activity. These services typically provide ongoing monitoring of your credit report and alert you to any significant changes, such as new accounts being opened, inquiries into your credit history, or changes in your credit score.
Manually reviewing credit reports and scoring systems can be daunting for the average person to navigate. Credit monitoring services simplify this process by providing easy-to-understand analyses and explanations of credit reports and scores. By demystifying financial jargon and offering insights into creditworthiness, these services empower individuals to make informed decisions about their finances.
The increasing prevalence of data breaches and cyberattacks targeting personal information has made many people more aware of the importance of data security. Credit monitoring services often include features such as identity theft insurance and dark web monitoring. These features further enhance their appeal by providing comprehensive protection against various threats to personal and financial security.
Several credit monitoring options operate in Canada, offering various features and levels of protection. Some of the key players include Equifax and TransUnion, which are the two major credit reporting agencies nationwide. In addition to these credit bureaus, there are also third-party services that offer comprehensive credit monitoring, identity theft protection, and other related features.
However, not all services are created equal. It's one thing if you just want an updated credit score every year (after all, you can get that for free from the credit bureaus), but another thing entirely if you want your service to be actively tracking what's going on with your credit profile. You may even be surprised to see that some free credit monitoring options provide more features than their paid counterparts.
Not sure what you want? Here are some key features that may appeal to you; take a look and see which ones are a must-have, and choose your credit monitoring service accordingly:
To give you an overview of the credit monitoring landscape in Canada, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have evaluated and ranked today's most popular services. Whether you're just looking for a basic, free option to watch over your credit score or a robust monitoring platform, use our research to choose the service that's the right fit for you!
Select any 2 Canadian Credit Monitoring Companies to compare them head to head