topic Re: Score Watch changes in myFICO® Product Feedback

Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:41:35 GMT

So I just got the email about the changes to ScoreWatch - no email alerts when your score changes. But does that mean we can still see updates to our score by logging in at MyFICO? We just will not receive email notification about changes?

The lack of an email notification is annoying, but fine. But if our scores do not update at all and instead we have to pay for updated scores then I kind of don't understand what I blew $89 on... If this is the case can any or all of the annual price be refunded, does anyone know?

Thanks.

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:48:36 GMT

From what I get out of it, it seems as if the alert feature is going to be removed all together. This totally defeats the purpose, I think.

I also found these two paragraphs of the emails conflicting:

First they say the alert setting will not be available any longer...

The first step toward implementing these improvements will include the elimination of the Score Watch alert option indicating that you will be alerted whenever your FICO score changes.” As of July 13, 2008, this alert setting will no longer be available.

Then they say

Over the next few months, we will be implementing additional system improvements to the Score Watch monitoring service. These upgrades are expected to increase both the accuracy and speed with which your Score Watch alerts are delivered.

Huh??? It's early and I have not had my coffee...Did I miss something?

Message Edited by UpUpUp on 07-08-2008 09:48 AM

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:57:00 GMT

Yes those 2 paragraphs seemed contradictory to me as well. Sounds to me like ScoreWatch is done for, but the PR folks at FICO are trying to couch it in a way that makes the elimination of the entire reason you purchased the service sound an actual improvement. They are doing a bum job of it because I ain't buyin what they're sellin!

(Well, actually I guess I already have... and so am likely screwed)

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:13:47 GMT

There are many different types of alerts. The two paragraphs are not contradictory. Just because the "alert me whenever my score changes" type of alert is being removed does not mean that all alerts are being removed.

Remember you can still have SW alert you whenever your score reaches a target score that you set in the system. The only thing that's different is that you will no longer be able to have it automatically send an alert on any score change.

(P.S.: If you set the target score to your current score it has the same functionality as the "alert me whenever my score changes" alert that is being removed.)

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:36:26 GMT

There is more to this than myFico is revealing. If they can alert me when ever I reached a set point, then they are checking my report daily. Why can't they let me know if there has been a change since yesterday. This alert feature is the most important thing to me. Without it, I guess I'll have to drop myFico and see what the others have to offer.

Re: Score Watch changes

jmbfl — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:06:50 GMT

They are not checking your score daily. That is why they cannot alert you whenever your score changes. Furthermore, I doubt it will be possible to receive any alert based on a FICO score change. This has not been working for a long time (if ever).

There is no substitute product. This is the only product the supplies an actual FICO score based on alerts. There will just be one less available alert, but hopefully the remaining ones will all work!

Now if they would just allow us unlimited CR pulls under SW none of this would matter. We can all hope...

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:36:41 GMT

jmbfl wrote:

Now if they would just allow us unlimited CR pulls under SW none of this would matter. We can all hope...

I guess if they don't allow us to do this then I really don't understand what the heck SW is for. I mean if ScoreWatch is not, in fact, watching our scores, then what the heck is it doing? Just taking our money and sending us PR-laden emails to make us think it's benefitting us?

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:59:14 GMT

paxson93 wrote:

jmbfl wrote:

Now if they would just allow us unlimited CR pulls under SW none of this would matter. We can all hope...

I guess if they don't allow us to do this then I really don't understand what the heck SW is for. I mean if ScoreWatch is not, in fact, watching our scores, then what the heck is it doing? Just taking our money and sending us PR-laden emails to make us think it's benefitting us?

Yeah, I agree. I signed up to get alerts automatically when there is a change in my score. Now I have to Score Watch-it-Myself.

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:26:47 GMT

Solarjuju wrote:

paxson93 wrote:

jmbfl wrote:

Now if they would just allow us unlimited CR pulls under SW none of this would matter. We can all hope...

I guess if they don't allow us to do this then I really don't understand what the heck SW is for. I mean if ScoreWatch is not, in fact, watching our scores, then what the heck is it doing? Just taking our money and sending us PR-laden emails to make us think it's benefitting us?

Yeah, I agree. I signed up to get alerts automatically when there is a change in my score. Now I have to Score Watch-it-Myself.

As I said above, you can still use the "target score" alert feature. Set your target score to your current score, and you will be alerted whenever your score changes in either direction.

The alert that is being lost was actually redundant functionality, anyway.

Message Edited by cheddar on 07-08-2008 09:26 AM

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:44:46 GMT

I just canceled....

Re: Score Watch changes

iamrayl — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:45:15 GMT

Incorrect statement that there's no substitute product. Equifax Score Watch gives you access to your FICO equifax score and in my opinion works better and the alerts work better than myfico sw. I subscribe to both but I'm going to cancel the myfico SW. It is absolutely useless.

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:50:51 GMT

Y'all should go up to the "sticky" posts and read the "Score Watch Guide." Scorewatch is going to work the same as always, except one feature is going to be turned off.

ScoreWatch will still notify you if your report changes. It will still notify you if you pass a "target score" point, which you can set.

And, as someone already pointed out, if you set the "target score" to be the same as your current score, you will be notified if it changes at all.

So as far as I can tell, there really hasn't been any change. Except that after a score change, I'll have to change my target score.

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:57:44 GMT

To me that is a hassle. How many people are going to remember to change their target every time - or how many are willing to bother? I'm not, so I voted with my wallet.

I think that they were probably sick of the endless stream of questions they must receive regarding notification delays and figured that if they just get rid of the feature it will:

1) cut down the CS burden

2) result in less data processing time, since overall less updates will be going out to customers

I personally didn't mind the delay in receiving notices, as long as it showed up within a few days I knew where I stood. I give a big thumbs-down to this "enhancement."

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:20:46 GMT

gary4872 wrote:
To me that is a hassle. How many people are going to remember to change their target every time - or how many are willing to bother? I'm not, so I voted with my wallet.

I think that they were probably sick of the endless stream of questions they must receive regarding notification delays and figured that if they just get rid of the feature it will:

1) cut down the CS burden
2) result in less data processing time, since overall less updates will be going out to customers

I personally didn't mind the delay in receiving notices, as long as it showed up within a few days I knew where I stood. I give a big thumbs-down to this "enhancement."

I totally agree and wish I were paying month by month so I could cancel too, but unfortunately they already have me hosed for the entire year. I'm suprised (not really) some admins are not posting here to clarify the situation and explain how fewer services for the same amount of money is actually an improvement for our benefit.

In addition to the fact that changing your target score every time is a pain in the neck, that method also would fail to alert you of any dip in your score... which would be the greatest cause for concern and the most useful situation to receive an alert. Totally useless product now, I'm so annoyed.

Re: Score Watch changes

MidnightVoice — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:29:25 GMT

paxson93 wrote:

I'm suprised (not really) some admins are not posting here to clarify the situation and explain how fewer services for the same amount of money is actually an improvement for our benefit

cheddar wrote:

MidnightVoice wrote:

Two problems:

1, one has to remember to change the score whenever the score changes

2, this allows only a unidirectional alert - either up or down. If set one way and the score goes the other, it will not work.

Hence, the product has lost functionality (theoretical functionality I guess I should say, as the score change alert has been erratic for months).

1) This is true. Can't argue with that. Although since you're most likely going to log in and look at the alert when you receive it, it shouldn't be that much of a hassle to change it right then and there. That's how I've been handling mine, and I've never missed any alerts at all.

2) It does not allow only a unidirectional alert. If your score is, for example, 750, and you set your target score to 750, you will receive an alert if your score changes in either direction.

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:31:04 GMT

paxson93 wrote:

In addition to the fact that changing your target score every time is a pain in the neck, that method also would fail to alert you of any dip in your score... which would be the greatest cause for concern and the most useful situation to receive an alert. Totally useless product now, I'm so annoyed.

See my post above:

"Set your target score to your current score, and you will be alerted whenever your score changes in either direction."

Re: Score Watch changes

Barry — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:37:45 GMT

paxson93 wrote:

gary4872 wrote:

To me that is a hassle. How many people are going to remember to change their target every time - or how many are willing to bother? I'm not, so I voted with my wallet.

I think that they were probably sick of the endless stream of questions they must receive regarding notification delays and figured that if they just get rid of the feature it will:

1) cut down the CS burden

2) result in less data processing time, since overall less updates will be going out to customers

I personally didn't mind the delay in receiving notices, as long as it showed up within a few days I knew where I stood. I give a big thumbs-down to this "enhancement."

I totally agree and wish I were paying month by month so I could cancel too, but unfortunately they already have me hosed for the entire year. I'm suprised (not really) some admins are not posting here to clarify the situation and explain how fewer services for the same amount of money is actually an improvement for our benefit.

In addition to the fact that changing your target score every time is a pain in the neck, that method also would fail to alert you of any dip in your score... which would be the greatest cause for concern and the most useful situation to receive an alert. Totally useless product now, I'm so annoyed.

Sorry for the annoyance, paxson93. Score Watch users not happy with this change can contact customer service and they will cancel your account and give you a refund.

Let me clarify that although you're getting one less alert setting, the upcoming changes will enable the other score alert and credit alert settings to function more reliably by better synchronizing the myFICO and Equifax systems that have to work together in this monitoring process.

Score Watch has been found to work well for most users most of the time and the vast majority of SW users have been happy with it. As with other such services from various providers, we admit it hasn't always worked perfectly 100% of the time and we are working to make it better.

Barry

Message Edited by Barry on 07-08-2008 11:37 AM

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:09:11 GMT

I just cancelled too. This product is worthless to me without this feature.

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:14:35 GMT

Barry,

How much of a refund are we entitled to? Is it pro-rated? I just purchased mine again. Can we quote you that we're entitled to a refund?

I'm going to cancel both my husband's and my score watch accounts. The score change alerts are the SOLE reason we bought this product. Why is it my responsibility to create a work-around to be able to use the product in the manner MOST would have purchased this product for. Sure the other alerts are handy but they mean nothing compared to where your score stands. Some may be duped by this change and the obfuscation embedded in the email, but we all know what makes this product worthwhile.

Now, if My Fico would like to tell us that they plan to re-implement the score alert in the future but with enhanced features, that's one thing. But that was NOT stated in the email, therefore any reasonably informed consumer can assume future changes will not include this feature.

Very disappointed in this, but more so in the purposely vague email. Seemed rather insulting to most of us in this thread.

Thank you Barry for getting involved in the thread.

Message Edited by JujusBeans on 07-08-2008 03:14 PM

Re: Score Watch changes

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:26:58 GMT

I agree with the user post above. I'm on the fence on canceling my account right now, and will notify / clarify what has been said in this thread to all 12 friends that signed up because of me.

I think that myfico went the wrong way with this. How can you cut functionality on an IT product?

I think myfico should have held this up until they had an "new & improved" way of doing what they wanted to do. DEFINITELY NOT "WE'RE CUTTING SCORE ALERTS ON JULY 13TH"... ?

But CUTTING Score Alerts the way you did, and the CRYPTIC email you sent all your users......

"YOU'VE OPENED THE CANCELLATION FLOODGATES" .....

don't you guys have a marketing department to help you w/ these things? if you don't, PM me, I can help you...

Best,

- S