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An In-Depth Look at Credit Score IQ Services
Credit Score IQ is a well-known credit monitoring and identity theft protection company that offers comprehensive services at affordable monthly rates. In this article, we will take a deeper look at the various service plans Credit Score IQ offers and analyze whether it is a legitimate and trustworthy company. We will also provide tips to help consumers avoid common credit score scams.
Credit Score IQ Company Overview
Credit Score IQ is a subsidiary of IDIQ®, an identity protection company that has been in business since 2008. As one of the original companies offering credit monitoring and identity theft protection services online, IDIQ has built a strong reputation over the past decade.
Credit Score IQ was launched in 2014 as a sister brand focused specifically on credit monitoring, restoration, score tracking, and identity theft protection. The company has continued to expand its service offerings and protection plans over the years based on customer and industry feedback.
Some key things to know about Credit Score IQ:
- Headquarters in sunny San Diego, California
- Over 1.5 million customers currently subscribed
- Plans start at just $9.99/month
- Offers FICO® Score 8, TransUnion and Equifax credit reports
- Highly rated customer service team available 7 days a week
Credit Score IQ prides itself on providing comprehensive credit and identity protection solutions at affordable monthly rates. All plans include credit report monitoring from TransUnion and Equifax, as well as daily dark web monitoring and score tracking.
Credit Score IQ Service Plans
Credit Score IQ offers a variety of service plans at different price points to suit different protection needs and budgets. Here is an overview of each plan:
Basic Plan – $9.99/month
The Basic plan is ideal for those wanting essential credit protection at an affordable rate. It includes:
- Daily credit report monitoring from TransUnion and Equifax
- Daily dark web scan
- Up to 3 bureau credit reports/year
- Credit Score tracking
- $1 million identity theft insurance
Standard Plan – $16.99/month
For a modest upgrade, the Standard plan adds valuable extra features:
- Everything in Basic plan
- Up to 6 bureau credit reports/year
- $1 million identity theft expense reimbursement
- Lost wallet protection
- Address change verification
Premium Plan – $24.99/month
The Premium plan is a great all-inclusive identity protection solution:
- Everything in Standard plan
- Up to 12 bureau credit reports/year
- 3-bureau FICO® Score 8
- Accelerated fraud resolution
- Public records alerts
- Bank & credit card activity alerts
Ultimate Plan – $29.99/month
For ultimate peace of mind, the top-tier Ultimate plan has it all:
- Everything in Premium plan
- Unlimited credit reports
- $1 million identity theft insurance deductible waiver
- Parental monitoring
- Identity theft insurance available for family
All plans automatically adjust to give ongoing protection even if life events like marriage, divorce or relocation occur. Customers can easily pause coverage if temporarily unneeded, like during a long vacation.
Credit Score IQ Features in Depth
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable Credit Score IQ features across all plans:
Comprehensive Credit Monitoring
Daily monitoring from all three major credit bureaus- TransUnion, Equifax and Experian – helps catch signs of identity theft or suspicious credit applications early. Customers receive email alerts for any changes, good or bad.
Dark Web Monitoring
Hackers regularly upload stolen personal details to underground forums, so daily scans help uncover compromised info before it can be misused. Alerts notify customers if their name, address or credentials surface online.
Unlimited Credit Reports
The top Ultimate plan grants truly unlimited access to your full TransUnion, Equifax and Experian credit reports and histories through the user-friendly mobile app or online dashboard.
Credit Score Tracking
FICO® Score 8 monitoring shows changes to your main credit score over time. Factors impacting your number are explained so customers can work on improving problem areas.
Identity Restoration Assistance
If identity theft or fraud occurs, a team of U.S.-based trained professionals handles clean-up and dispute work. They contact creditors, law enforcement and credit bureaus until accounts are closed and your report is repaired.
Identity Theft Insurance
Up to $1 million in coverage reimburses customers for expenses like attorney fees, loan repayments or lost wages from identity theft incidents. Higher tier plans increase this limit.
Credit Score IQ Reviews and Ratings
Credit Score IQ has built a strong reputation among consumers since launching in 2014. Here is a snapshot of customer review sites:
Trustpilot
Credit Score IQ has an impressive 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot based on over 40,000 reviews. Three quarters of reviewers give the company a “great” or “excellent” rating.
Customers praise Credit Score IQ’s affordable prices, user-friendly interface and responsive customer service team. Complaints are relatively minor, such as difficulty canceling or issues with inaccurate credit scores in rare cases.
ConsumerAffairs
On ConsumerAffairs, Credit Score IQ has a 4.3 out of 5 rating from over 1,000 reviews. Users again comment favorably on the ease of setup, cost-effectiveness and thorough protection offered.
A minority of one-star reviews involve trouble contacting customer support or delays resolving identity issues. But most acknowledge these problems seem rare or were addressed quickly by the company.
BBB
At the time of writing, Credit Score IQ had an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Their detailed profile shows a very low complaint volume of just 0.0005% of total customers served since 2014.
Issues raised were generally minor and BBB confirms the company made efforts to quickly resolve any consumer problems that did arise. No unanswered complaints are on file.
Is Credit Score IQ Legitimate?
After evaluating Credit Score IQ’s strengths as well as potential downsides, it stands up as a legitimate and trustworthy credit monitoring provider:
- Parent company IDIQ has over a decade of positive industry experience
- Houses headquarters in the United States under proper business licensing
- Provides clear, accurate information on service plans and features
- Ranks highly across major third-party review sites like Trustpilot and BBB
- Responds constructively to the few complaints that occur according to reviews
-Includes valuable identity protection benefits like insurance and restoration - Remains competitively priced for the protection level offered
While no company is perfect, Credit Score IQ seems genuinely committed to consumer transparency, data security best practices and quality customer service. For these reasons, it can be confidently recommended as a legitimate choice for credit score monitoring needs.
Tips for Avoiding Credit Score Scams
Not all companies claiming to offer credit scores or identity protection are as reputable as Credit Score IQ. Consumers need to be cautious of potential scams, which often use deceptive advertising to steal personal details. Some tips:
Do Not Believe Offers of “Free” Credit Reports
By law, you are entitled to request one free credit report annually from each of the three major bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. Any company outside this charging zero is likely fraudulent. Scammers try tricking people to disclose sensitive data.
Beware of Phishing Schemes
Be wary of unsolicited pop-up ads or emails with links promising “updated credit scores” or claiming your accounts were compromised. Scammers employ phishing to infect devices with malware for future theft. Only access official company websites directly.
Thoroughly Research Any Company First
Take time to read reviews, look for official licenses and accreditations, check the business address and do online searches on the company name combined with “scam” or “complaints.” Avoid signing up in haste without conducting research.
Verify Authenticity Before Providing Details
If a company calls claiming to be from your bank about suspicious activity, hang up and call the official customer service line to verify the story before confirming any account numbers. Legit firms won’t pressure divulging details asap.
Contact Regulators With Suspicions
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and your state’s Attorney General consumer protection division investigate identity theft and deceptive business practices. Reach out if ever uncertain about a company’s authenticity before becoming a victim of financial fraud.
Being proactively informed is the best defense against the growing scourge of credit scams. By verifying companies thoroughly beforehand and avoiding unsolicited offers, consumers can feel confident their sensitive data is protected. Sticking to reputable brands is the safest approach.
In summary, Credit Score IQ presents as a highly legitimate choice for comprehensive and affordable credit monitoring packaged with valuable identity protection. Just be sure to fact check any company thoroughly before handing over private details to avoid falling prey to increasingly clever scams out there. Staying informed is key to keeping your credit report and scores secure.
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