ConsumerDirect
Author: Kaitlyn Short
ConsumerDirect is the company that built the SmartCredit.com credit monitoring system which is designed to benefit both consumers and businesses.
The company has a strong focus on the consumer experience and offers various tools like ScoreTracker, ScoreBuilder®, ScoreMaster®, Money Manager, and more within its SmartCredit.com system that help consumers manage their credit and money in one, convenient place.
ConsumerDirect’s SmartCredit.com system offers unlimited credit monitoring services in addition to a Smart Credit Report®. Consumers can also choose to obtain two-per-month or unlimited credit report and score updates.
Read on to learn more about ConsumerDirect’s SmartCredit.com tools and services.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Free 7-Day Trial
- Unique Credit Tools
- Patented Technology
Free 7-Day Trial
Those who sign up for SmartCredit.com can obtain a free seven-day trial. Although it’s not unheard of for companies in the credit monitoring industry to provide free trials, it’s less common than not.
Since consumers must pay for SmartCredit.com’s services, this seven-day trial period provides consumers with the opportunity to try out the system’s services with low financial risk.
Additionally, once consumers pass this free trial period, they can cancel their membership at any time without any costly consequences. Those who cancel their memberships can also reactivate their accounts at any time.
Unique Credit and Finance Tools
As mentioned above, ConsumerDirect strives to provide a good consumer experience to all who use SmartCredit.com’s system. Because of this, ConsumerDirect has created a few unique credit and finance tools within SmartCredit.com that can help consumers manage, build, and track their credit as well as their finances in one place.
With SmartCredit.com, consumers can get access to the Smart Credit Report® tool which allows consumers to do the following:
- See what is being reported on their credit reports
- View their credit scores and credit history
- Receive credit monitoring alerts via phone or email
In addition to the Smart Credit Report® function, SmartCredit.com gives members access to a Money Manager tool which allows them to keep track of and manage their online accounts in one place, three-bureau credit reports and credit scores, up to $1 million in identity fraud insurance, and more.
SmartCredit.com also provides three unique credit tools including the ScoreTracker tool, the ScoreBuilder™ tool, and the ScoreMaster® tool. All three of these credit tools are designed to help consumers learn more about their credit situations and help them achieve better credit over time.
Patented Technology
According to the ConsumerDirect website, the company has three granted patents for its product features as well as technology. The majority of companies within the credit repair industry cannot say the same.
Additionally, ConsumerDirect claims to have four additional patents currently pending.
The Bad
- Limited Website Information
- Higher-Than-Average Pricing
Limited Website Information
Although consumers can find some information on ConsumerDirect’s SmartCredit.com website, the company does not disclose information about the following that many other credit monitoring companies provide:
- Refund/money-back guarantee policy
- Customer service and support availability
- Helpful resources
- Mobile app details
- Frequently asked questions
Those who wish to learn about the things listed above must contact a ConsumerDirect or SmartCredit.com representative.
Higher-Than-Average Pricing
When it comes to the credit monitoring industry, prices tend to range from $0 to $30+. Although SmartCredit.com does not hit the ceiling of the industry’s price range, the service’s plans, especially its premium plan is slightly higher than average.
That said, there are many credit monitoring services available for free through various means, but these services do tend to lack in terms of credit monitoring updates, alerts, coverage, credit report and score information, and more.
SmartCredit.com’s premium plan includes unlimited services which results in a higher required monthly price.
The Bottom Line
ConsumerDirect is the creator of SmartCredit.com, an all-in-one credit and finance system that is designed to help consumers learn, be more in-tune with their credit and financial situations, and achieve their long-term goals.
SmartCredit.com offers unlimited credit monitoring services and provides consumers with unique tools that can help them build, track, and manage their credit.
In addition to credit monitoring services, the company provides a Money Manager tool and up to $1 million in identity fraud insurance. Since ConsumerDirect has patented technology, consumers will have a difficult time finding similar, all encompassing services elsewhere.
If you are looking for basic credit monitoring services, then ConsumerDirect’s SmartCredit.com system may not be the right fit for you as there are many cheaper, basic credit monitoring services out there.
If, however, you are searching for a one-stop-shop in terms of credit monitoring, online account management, and credit building services, SmartCredit.com may be the best option.
It’s important to keep in mind that SmartCredit.com offers two different membership options. Before you make a decision, make sure to do your own research to see if SmartCredit.com has everything you are looking for.
