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Sep 23, 2008 -- Verizon drops contracts, TransUnion gives FREE credit freeze

Clark has a trio of exciting developments to share. First off, Verizon is doing away with contracts under certain conditions. Let's face it, contracts are for cowards. Carriers had to default to them because of the industry's spotty record of customer service. It was their way of preventing you from fleeing.

So here's Verizon's deal: If you already have a phone, you won't have to get locked into a contract. You'll only need a contract if you want Verizon to provide you with a subsidized phone when you sign on as a customer.

Clark applauds Verizon's move and hopes it will prompt the other 3 carriers to eliminate contracts too -- unless you're getting a subsidized phone.

The second development involves T-Mobile's introduction of the G1 -- the first phone based on Google's Android platform. It is essentially a cellular computer that looks like a little mini-computer with both a keyboard and an iPhone-like touch screen.

Finally, the last exciting development involves your credit. Doing a credit freeze online through TransUnion is now completely FREE -- even if your state normally requires a fee! Clark has no idea why they're doing this, but he's happy that they are. (Editor's note: TransUnion began charging for their credit freezes, effective July 24, 2009.)


Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • States Rights?
    Some people are on the cheap @ $3 with these services, thanks to their state government bureaucrats, while others get to make up the difference for the rest when companies charge much more. Invoke the Interstate Commerce Clause. These fees should be equal among all states.
  • credit reports/ transunion freeze
    none of the 3 will give me an online credit report...the link to the "free" transunion freeze doesn't work either.
  • TransUnion Security Freeze is Free
    TransUnion security freeze was free and a breeze for me and my wife, EquiFax a royal pain to mail in and cost $10 for each of us, and Experian was easy-to-do online for $10 each.
  • Georgia credit reports
    OK, just froze my accounts using the link Clark provided. I live in Georgia. Super easy and quick. The TransUnion was free. Paid $3 for Experian and Equifax. With Equifax, as others have complained, it did not give me a pin number, so I called 888-298-0045 and someone answered in 10 seconds and after verifying some info, they are mailing me my code within a week. Cross your fingers!
  • Transunion freeze
    With Transunion I did it online and had no problems. I also went to Experian and froze my credit there for $10 (OK) then went to Equifax and filled out the online info, only to be told I have to mail them info! What a pain!
  • Credit Freeze
    I had to keep going back to the freeze tab before I was able to get the freeze for free, but it worked.
  • Verizon Freeze
    I'm not sure where you get your info but I've had Verizon for about 6 years and everytime I upgrade my phone they stick me with another two year contract.
  • TransUnion free credit freeze NOT FREE
    system always down, retry later. Gave up called 888# paid five dollars.
    NOT FREE,NOT EASY.
  • Security Freeze - Trans Union
    Very easy to do and nice that it did not cost anything! Make sure you write the important info. down i.e. user name, password and pin#. Thanks Clark!
  • Transunion
    Online credit freeze was easy and fast...received confirmation via US. mail. No charge...thank you Clark!
  • Transunion Credit Freeze
    Systen is down everytime I try to use it and if you caal they want $10.
  • Freeze was a breeze
    I wound up clicking forgot username / password button cause I remembered the annual credit report I did before. A SSN, last name and my first grade teacher's name and clicked a tab, Wrote down a pin on a old credit report I had and it's DONE!! TOO EASY...
  • TransUnion
    TransUnion website was difficult to navigate. Was finally able to freeze mine after much back and forth. Went back in to freeze my husband's and never could get back to the correct page. Guess we will have to call them for his. And, yes, it was a huge chore. Experian and Equifax were easily navigated.
  • TransUnion Freeze Free?
    First there was a temporary issue with the website. Later it allowed me to go through the order but at the end said "sorry..you'll have to call in to complete the order." Their fee structure shows a $3 charge if not the victim of id theft rather than free. Free only to victims or anyone over 65. Haven't tried to call in, but based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like a chore!
  • Trans Union Freeze
    it worked perfectly with no fee; very easy and good idea; thanks
  • TransUnion
    You can get it free but have to go through some hoops. Cancel the credit report for $10.95. Go from there.
  • Free freeze
    was unable to freeze for free. Need phone # to call them.
  • Freeze
    Freeze worked perfect for me. No fee. Had previously registered with them.
  • TransUnion Freeze
    Easy to do and only took a few minutes. Wish the others would do for us.
  • Free Credit Freeze with Transunion
    I just did the FREE freeze via phone as the on-line service is still charging $10 and there's no way around it. Doing it with a customer service person was grueling as the questions she asked were from data that was over 30 years ago. I have enough trouble remembering data from last week, let alone an PO Box # from 30 years ago! What a test of my sanity & patience this was! I finally was successful though, so it paid off in the end. Thanks Clark & Team Clark!
  • Trans Union Credit Freeze
    It took me less than 5 minutes to freeze my credit w/ Trans Union--no problems and no charge. Thanks!
  • security freeze
    I got a message"temporary issue". haven't heard taht one before. Try later.
  • Clark doesn't do his homework
    I BET CLARK IS A DEMOCRAT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T DO HIS HOMEWORK; CLARK RECOMMENDS SO CALLED "FREE" THINGS THAT DON'T TURN OUT TO BE FREE ...
  • FREE CREDIT FREEZE FROM TRANS UNION
    Trans Union agreement states, currently a credit freeze is free, but they can charge in the future WITHOUT NOTICE
  • Credit Freeze
    Tried to order TU credit freeze, but could not accomplish online. Error message said my identity could not be verified and I would have to call in. Never mind.
  • credit freeze
    I got through the process with no charges. It showed it was going to charge me $10 for a copy of my report or something, but I hit cancel and it finished fine.
  • credit freeze
    I had already done my freeze on-line with Epxperian, now I have done TransUnion. One to go. Thanks for the heads up Clark. FB
  • Transunion
    Clark once again doesn't check out his recommendations. Wave any kind of consumer friendly news and Clark comes running - a big leap, never a look. I bet Clark backed the principal of loaning mortgage money to bums, so the democrats could tell the poor that they were providing for them.
  • Contracts
    Clark, you never quite tell the whole story. Contracts are consumer beneficial in that they allow a consumer to select a plan and get a phone. The contract allows the carrier to recoup the cost of the phone. If it weren't for this "regulated" practice consumer would have to shell out major cost at service initiation. With regard to service - what do you expect. Cell is a convenience and the companies try to be as reliable as possible. However, don't plan a drive through the Mojave and expect cell service and don't look for phone booths ever 5 miles either. It's a business, not a public service
  • Contracts aren't the carriers fault per se
    Clark you are dead wrong. The biggest reason carriers use contracts is to recoup the cost of the heavy subsidies on the phones you and everyone else expects for free or nearly-free. When everyone pays for their own phone at regular prices, then and only then can you get rid of the contracts.
  • Transunion Freeze
    Worked great and very easy... Could not get my free Credit Report though.
  • TRANS UNION CREDIT FREEZE
    I just followed the link and it said my identtiy could not be verified and that I would have to continue my credit freeze via phone or mail.. It also stated that there would be a $10 for someone who was not an identity theft victim. So it is NOT free as stated in Clark's email.
  • FREE411
    I called FREE411 just as Clark said, but I was not given a phone number. I was connected to a business. I told them I just wanted a phone number of Super 8 Hotel in Buloixi. They would not give me the number. We drove to the hotel and registered. When I was arrived I told the clerk I had called FREE411 and they tried to book the room, but I declined and I was sure they were going to chage a fee. Don't do it. When I got my Debit Card Statement the amount was more and from Hotes.com. I PAID 20 DOLLARS TO USE FREE411. NOT A GOOD DEAL! I could not get anything done and that free call cost $20 dollars, count them 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Freeze for minors
    is it possible to freeze your child's account? i have heard of cases where the SS # of a child was stolen and used with other fake paperwork.
  • Verizon
    Verizon did not do this out of their confidence in their customers. They lost a lawsuit and part of the settlement was no early termination fee for 24 months and they have to pay 20 million dollars to settle people who already paid them early termination fees. Just wanted to clarify that.
  • Free Transunion Credit Freeze
    It worked for me the first time through. I already had an account set up through them not sure if that makes a difference or not!
  • transunion freeze
    Didn't work for me. Intro says it will be free, then it tries to charge you $10.50. I refreshed repeatedly. No luck, then finally it dumped me. A waste of 10 minutes.
  • Transunion freeze
    Thank you for the link to the Transunion Freeze site. It was so easy to do. I just hope the thaw(lift)is just as easy. GREAT PEACE OF MIND! Now on to the other 2 sites.
  • TU Credit Freeze
    I was able to get it done online. I had to keep going back to the Security Freeze tab and refresh it to get it to work for free. It redirected me to the pay for report etc page three times before it worked. Keep hitting the security freeze tab and see if it works.
  • Credit Freeze Report
    I suggest Clark investigates why this is happening when he reported free. Can cost $ to unsuspecting people.
  • ktlauruhnberg@gmail.com
    I went through the process online and then got a message that I would need to call in to finish the process. I was then charged the ten dollars to put the freeze on my account.
  • t/u credit freeze
    was unable to freeze for nothing, wanted to charge for it
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