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3 years ago
Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:07 am
DustinD
Secured Rebel
DustinD has been gardening for over 2 years.
Last edited by DustinD on Thu Oct 07, 2021 11:01 am, edited 11 times in total.
This post is a work in progress and needs a full rewrite. I will update it with more info. The process and offers keeps changing.
Credit Check Total aka CCT run by Experian is one of the better Credit Monitoring Services (CMS), but it has several quirks. One trick is to get unlimited free 7 day trials without any gaps in the Experian additional FICO reports. Each free trial comes with one 3 bureau report that you can pull at any time during the trial. Don't forget to use it before the trial ends or it is forfeit. I have had continuous CCT free trial coverage for over two years now, not counting the times where I either forgot or didn't bother to log in on any given day.
CCT gives several scores daily: F8 the most commonly used, F2 the Experian mortgage score, FICO Auto 2 and 8, FICO Bankcard 2 and 8, and F3. Plus one pull of EQ-F8 and TU-F8 per free 7 or 30 day trial.
When you go to the main login screen you should get an option for a free 7 or 30 day trial. Ignore the $1 trial offer. If you get the free 7 day option take it, if you get the 30 day option refuse and keep the basic membership.
If you didn't get the 7 day option yet, log in and when you get to the member overview page there should be an option for a membership upgrade to the right of your score. If you received the 30 day offer before this may give you the option for a free 7 day membership now.
As of around October 2021 they are also offering bundles, a $4.99 intro for the first month of Credit Works 30 day service, and $4.99 bundles for sets of FICO pulls for non members. Skip all of those. The choices seem to change frequently as of Fall 2021, hopefully they stabilize and keep giving us free trials.
If you still didn't get a 7 day offer: Start the process to check your 3-bureau reports by going to the "Reports & Scores" tab and click either "Credit Reports" or "FICO Scores" from the drop down options, and then click "Review my 3 scores" and that should get you a free 7 day trial.
https://www.creditchecktotal.com/
2) Select member login
3) Sign in button (my info is auto filled by my browser)
4) I am now at the screen shot page and hit Submit Secure Order
5) My profile > Membership tab
6) Do you want to change your Experian CreditWorks℠ Premium Membership? *Click* Update online.
7) Select CreditWorks Basic > Pick 'Not worth the price too expensive' (I doubt that last part matters)
I then keep my premium benefits for 11 days before repeating the process.
After you have cancelled the free trial it will say at the top of the member overview page "When your subscription ends in 11 days, you will no longer be able to lock or unlock your credit report." Despite it being a 7 day trial it lasts 11 days. Seeing that banner is my reminder that I cancelled, if the banner says anything else I go and cancel.
If you still haven't gotten a free 7 day offer: Go to "Reports & Scores" tab and click "FICO Scores" from the drop down options, and then go to "Compare All".
The path you take to log in and get the free trial can vary, I will try and outline them in detail as I encounter them. If the steps I outlined above don't work keep bouncing around the various pages and attempt to view scores that you don't have access to, possibly try logging out and back in to refresh offers.
The steps I usually take:
1) Go to Click images to enlarge them.
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Score data
Was EX-695 EQ-685 TU-712
Now EX-793 EQ-795 TU-804
F2-797 when AZEO - Classic 8 Scorecard CLEAN/THICK/MATURE/NEW-REVOLVER
- Mortgage Scorecard CLEAN/THICK/MATURE/NEW-ACCOUNT
- AoOA 18y 7m to 19y
- AoORA 28m
- Date of Last Inquiry and/or New Account Opening December 1st, 2021