Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is ConsumerDirect® Score, Fix & Lock™ technology and how will it benefit me?

A: ConsumerDirect is the only system with Score, Fix & Lock technology. It is an entirely new technology to quickly and easily Control your Identity.

BENEFITS:
	FREE Credit Scores and Credit Analysis* Instantly and every 30 days.
	Fix Credit Report Errors & Improve your Credit Score.
	Lock your Credit Report(s) FREE.
With ConsumerDirect, you now have control of your Identity, all using our simple point & click Action buttons. Our Alerts & Creditor responses keep you informed. ConsumerDirect is truly a technology of convenience.
SCORE, FIX & LOCK™:
	Along with your ConsumerDirect Credit Score (350-850)* you also get an important analysis that includes: Your Future Credit Score, Your Identity Theft Risk, Your potential exposure to Liability and Damage from Identity Theft, plus savings potential using ConsumerDirect. Fix Credit Report Errors & Improve Your Credit Scores. Declare & Recover From Identity Theft. Settle Reported Debts. Ask Your Creditor questions or address your customer service needs. No More Phone Calls, No More Voice Mails No More Endless Call Transfers or Holding No More Writing Letters No More Waiting for Business Hours
	ConsumerDirect is linked to over 95% of Creditors in the United States giving you a faster and more effective way to:
	ConsumerDirect's Credit Report Lock gives you control over your Credit Reports and your good name. Anyone wishing to grant credit in you name should get your permission by contacting you at the phone number you designate with ConsumerDirect. Credit Report Lock with our Always On Protection is FREE and will remain active until you deactivate it or cancel your membership. You may deactivate your Credit Report Lock any time you wish. You have until Midnight PST to cancel this initial activation. Please deactivate if you no longer believe that you are, have been, or might become a victim of identity theft. Any one wishing to grant you credit should first validate your identity and your application for credit, either at the phone number you designate with ConsumerDirect, or in person. This gives you the protection you need for your good name.

Q: How does ConsumerDirect's Score, Fix & Lock give me Faster and More Effective Results?

A: Our patent-pending technology links directly to Creditors giving you faster and more effective results!

With ConsumerDirect Score, Fix & Lock technology you are Linked to over 95% of Creditors in the United States.

The ConsumerDirect Credit Report Lock is linked to all three national Credit Bureaus.

We are also Linked to the Federal Trade Commission for any Identity Theft issues you may have.

Q: What is included in my ConsumerDirect Membership?

A: All the advantages of our patent-pending Score, Fix & Lock technology, including:

FREE Credit Scores & Analysis* Instantly and every 30 days includes:
• Credit Score
• Auto Score
• Insurance Score
• Employment Score
Fix Errors & Improve your Credit Score
FREE Credit Report Lock™
Fix your 1st Problem FREE
FREE Alerts & Creditor Responses!
Plus, you have a FREE Trial Period!

Q: Basic or Enhanced Membership. Which is better for me?

A: Each Membership plan gives you all the advantages listed above in the "What is included in my ConsumerDirect Membership" section. Choose Basic or Enhanced Membership, depending upon your needs:

Basic Membership:

$29.95 after your free trial period. You get five free Action per month and only $2.95 after that.

Enhanced Membership:

$39.95 after your free trial period. You get UNLIMITED* Actions.

Trial period may change from time to time depending upon the original marketing promotion you may have received. You have a 30 Day RISK FREE period where satisfaction is guaranteed.

* Please see our Terms of Membership for further definitions and information.

Q: How does the FREE Trial Offer work?

A:You may cancel your account within your free trial offer without any obligation or cost to you. During your free trial offer you will get your free Scores, credit analysis and the ability to fix at least one credit report error. Plus, you can do an initial Credit Report Lock.

Q: How does the 30-Day Satisification Guarantee, Refund Policy and Cancellation Policy work?

A: Canceling an account, which is no longer in the free trial offer period will immediately cease any additional charges. A full refund will be given after you have cancelled your account and you make a refund request to our customer service, by using our on-line "Contact us" form on our web site, within 30 days of becoming a member. After 30 days, only the very last amount charged will be refunded. Any partial refund does not automatically waive any further balance owed. You may reactivate your account at any time.

Please see additional details in the Membership Terms & Conditions.

Q: How do I use the ConsumerDirect Action Wizards and what do they do?

A: Simply point & click! The ConsumerDirect orange Action Wizards are fast and simple.

Each Action Wizard guides you step-by-step to take Action.

Here are some of our Action Wizards and what they can do for you:

Fix Credit Report Errors

Goodwill Corrections

Not My Account

Declare ID Theft to The Credit Bureaus, FTC & the National Sentential Awareness System.

Recover from ID Theft with Immediate Creditor Action

Debt Settlement

Reduce Your Interest Rates

Defer Monthly Payments

Verify your Account

Customer Service Question

Billing Statement Issue

Report Fraud on Billing Statement

We do all the work! There are no phone calls for you to make, no letters to write, and no headaches.

Our Alerts & Creditor Responses keep you informed of updates and results.

Q: What are the benefits of Locking My Credit Reports and what should I know?

A: BENEFITS:

Protecting yourself by taking control of your Credit Reports!

It is FREE with ConsumerDirect Membership and takes less than one minute to do.

Any one wishing to grant you credit should first validate your identity and your application for credit, either at the phone number you designate with ConsumerDirect, or in person. This gives you the protection you need for your good name.

No worries! Credit Report Lock with our Always On Protection is FREE and will remain active until you deactivate it or cancel your membership. You may deactivate your Credit Report Lock any time you wish. You have until Midnight PST to cancel this initial activation. Please deactivate if you no longer believe that you are, have been, or might become a victim of identity theft.

ConsumerDirect^'s Credit Report Lock should NOT interfere with any of your current, pending or future credit/financing needs.

OTHER INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW:

ConsumerDirect's Credit Report Lock instructs the Credit Bureau(s) to place a standard Fraud Alert on your credit file for a minimum of 90 days; ConsumerDirect automatically renews and maintains this on your behalf with your active Membership. When you, or someone else, attempts to open a credit account in your name, the lender should contact you on the phone number you designate with ConsumerDirect or in person, to verify that you want to open the new account. If you are not available the credit account should not be opened.

When you activate ConsumerDirect's Credit Report Lock, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires a simple affirmation to ConsumerDirect that you have been or believe you might become a victim of Identity Theft. You should know that Identity Theft is in the news almost every day, and conclusion can be drawn from multiple non-profit Public Research Institute Group studies is that every adult in the United States has been or is likely to become an Identity Theft victim in the near future.

This is the protection you need for your good name!

Q: What if I decide that I don't like the service?

A: We are so confident that you will love your ConsumerDirect Membership, that we offer a RISK FREE 30 Day money back guarantee - NO questions asked!

Cancel any time. There are no long term membership contracts.

ConsumerDirect is the only service with Score, Fix & Lock technology allowing you to truly Control Your Identity. Give it a try, RISK FREE! Sign-up Today!

Q : How can I contact ConsumerDirect's Customer Service?

A: Our Customer Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please click here for our on-line eMail contact us form or call (866) 914-8906

Q: Is my information safe on the ConsumerDirect web site?

A: Absolutely. Your information is secured with the same 128-bit encryption used by leading companies, financial institutions and governments worldwide.

We are certified to an ISO 17799 standard.

We have an independent 3rd party verify the safety and integrity of our data and systems, daily.

We are PCI certified for safe processing of credit/debit transactions.

We are members of Verified By Visa and MasterCard SecureCode to further ensure your identity when you become a Member.

You are safe with ConsumerDirect!

Q: Can’t I do all of these things myself?

A: Yes. However, ConsumerDirect's Score, Fix Lock technology is truly quick and easy. One of the reasons ConsumerDirect has become so popular and successful is that it takes the frustration, uncertainty and tedious legwork out of properly managing your identity. ConsumerDirect is the only service with Score, Fix & Lock technology allowing you to quickly, easily and effectively Control Your Identity.

Give it a try, RISK FREE! Sign-up Today!

Q: What is Credit Scoring?

A: Credit scoring is a statistically based computerized method for predicting how likely it is that a borrower will pay back a loan before it's even issued. Each credit bureau calculates your credit score differently which is why your score may vary among different bureau credit reports. Several factors are considered when calculating a credit score. Various credit scoring companies use different methods and scoring systems. Credit scoring is a method for calculating risk, and gives creditors a way to predict how well you will manage your debt based on your credit report.

Know exactly what's on your credit report. Ask your lender for your credit score, and make sure
it's explained to you in detail. You can improve your credit score by managing your credit responsibly over time.

Q: How Does It Work?

A: Credit reports from millions of borrowers are compared to each other using a computer program that considers similarities between the reports and whether the borrowers paid some or all of their bills on time. The program puts the reports in rank order, giving each a score - like a grade on a test.

Predictive variables are categories for predicting risk. Your credit score is calculated based on these variables. By looking at your credit score, the creditor can figure out how much risk is involved with loaning you money. The score gives the creditor a way to predict how well you will manage your debt.

Consumers with credit scores between 620 and 639 can expect to pay 7.09% interest on a
$150,000, 30-year fixed mortgage as opposed to 5.51% for someone with a credit score of 760 or higher. A score lower than 620 will get you an even more expensive “sub-prime” loan. (Orange County Register, 10/17/05.)

Q: Changing the Score

A: No credit score lasts forever. It changes over time as your credit behavior changes. Think of it as a snapshot of your credit performance at one point in time. Your score can go up or down depending on how you manage your credit.

The credit score, which is based entirely on the credit report, is the creditor's most powerful tool for assessing credit risk. To make sure you score high with your credit history, its important to understand what factors affect your credit score.

Q: Factors in Credit Scoring

A: Different types of information, known as factors, are gathered from your credit report to make up your credit score. These factors fall into broad categories, such as payment history and outstanding debt.

Credit scoring models rate the importance of each category to calculate your credit score.

Credit scores reflect credit patterns over time. An adverse action, like a tax lien or bankruptcy filing, can immediately and significantly impact a credit score.

Several factors can have a negative impact on your credit score:

History of nonpayment

Public record information
Evidence of collection accounts
Recent delinquent accounts
High balances owed on accounts
Credit cards charged to their limits
Too many new accounts

Only the applicant's prior credit history is considered when calculating a credit score. For this reason, credit scoring is considered unbiased. Any factors that would show bias are not allowed.
Your credit score cannot be based on any of these factors: race , gender, age, income level, national origin, religion or marital status.

Because income level is not a factor, you could have a low income and a high credit score; or, you could have a high income and a low credit score. It just depends on your credit history.

FICO® scores, developed by Fair, Isaac and Co., Inc., are the most commonly used credit
scores today. According to FICO, the various factors used to calculate credit scores can be grouped into five primary areas:

1) Payment history
2) Outstanding debt
3) How long you have been using credit
4) Pursuit of new credit
5) Types of credit in use

FICO is one credit scoring company. Other companies may use different factors.

Q: Whose score is it?

A: Yours!

You must take ownership of your credit reports and attend to them properly.
You own your credit report(s) and the corresponding credit score(s) and you are responsible for them.
You are the one to fix credit report errors and recover from identity theft.
You control who has access to your credit report. There are exceptions to this rule, such as:
- Various Federal, State and Local Governments as permitted by law.
- Legal issues such as for judgments and liens against you.
- Debt Collectors, regulated under the Fair Debt Collection and Practices Act.
- Creditors that you have an open account with.
- Soft Inquires. Prospective creditors looking at your credit to pre-qualify you for credit.
- Triggers. The practice of inviting competitors to your recent credit inquiry. For example, if you are applying for a mortgage, it is often the practice of Credit Bureaus to send a notice that you are possibly applying for a mortgage to trigger competing mortgage company to compete for your business.

Q: How Your Credit is Scored

A: Five sample factors for calculating credit scores are listed below, along with a sample of the importance each factor has to the total score. As you read through the list, think about how your credit might score today.

Payment History: 35%.
What is your track record? Have you made your payments on time?

Outstanding Debt: 30%.
How much do you owe? Do you have a high level of debt? Are you near the credit limit
on some or all of your accounts?

Credit History: 15%.
What is the length of your credit history? Has it only been a few years? The longer the better.

Pursuit of New Credit: 10%.
Have you made numerous applications for new credit? Are you taking on too much debt?

Types of Credit in Use: 10%.
Do you use a variety of credit types? The score will consider your mix of credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, finance company accounts and mortgage loans. It is NOT necessary
to have one of each, nor is it a good idea to open credit accounts you do not intend
to use. (Freddie Mac, 2002)

Q: Calculating Your Score

A: Each factor is given a weight or level of importance. This weight is assigned as a percentage (such as 35%, as shown in the example above). The score is graded for each factor, and then each factor is multiplied by the weight. Computers calculate credit scores in an instant.

Q: Improving Credit Scores

A: Raising your credit score, like improving your credit history, takes time and responsible credit behavior. Creditors look for stability in your credit history. ConsumerDirect™ also provides you tools you can use to help improve your credit and credit score. Erratic behavior, such as sudden increases in debts or many applications for new credit, can lower your credit score.

A study by Providian estimated that consumers could save an average of $76.00 a year in credit card finance charges by raising their score 30 points. (Orange County Register, 10/18/05.)

There are things you can do to make a difference. You can improve your credit score by:

Keeping It Clean

Check your credit report for accuracy. Report any errors immediately. As a member of ConsumerDirect.net, you can directly correspond with your creditors to report any errors and request their correction.

Pay off all collection accounts. Remember that negative credit information can stay on your credit report for 7 years and bankruptcies for 10 years.

Pay your bills on time. If you missed a payment recently, bring the account current. Don't be late again.

Limiting Yourself

Keep your credit card balances low.
Don't have too many credit cards.
Don't open several new credit accounts just to increase your available credit.
Make more than the minimum payment.
If you're trying to establish credit, don't open too many accounts at once.

Taking It Slow

Pay off debt rather than moving it around from account to account. Your credit history shouldn't look like a seesaw. Stability is key.

Don't close unused credit cards as a short-term strategy to raise your score. Closing an account doesn't make it disappear from your credit report.

*Our new patent-pending technology is "Resolution directly with your creditors or contacts that you provide or select." Results are not guaranteed. ConsumerDirect is a neutral system. Our Members control and instruct our system using Action button tools provided. ConsumerDirect is not responsible for misuse or abuse of Action instructions with our system, and assumes no liability of any kind for Actions taken by its members. ConsumerDirect reserves the right to monitor your custom Action request for misuse and abuse in order to maintain a positive system for its Members.

*Free Credit Analysis & Score Disclaimer: The ConsumerDirect Credit Scoring Meter calculates the estimated credit score based on information provided by user. Each credit bureau uses its own proprietary formula to calculate credit scores based on information in their credit file. Some elements of their formula are unpublished. While ConsumerDirect has used its best efforts to provide a realistic estimate of the credit score, it is an estimate. The Credit Analysis also estimates a risk potential for Identity Theft and monetary damages, as well as potential savings due to an increased score over time. All estimates and projections are educational and are derived solely from user input. No direct or implied guarantees of the accuracy of the Credit Scoring Meter's results are given.