[Exile]

DW and I haven't checked our respective scores in quite a while becaise we don't think we should have to buy this data. It's infuriating to think that (un)Fair Isaac can get away with charging consumers for information that is such an integral part of our financial records. If consumers are allowed an annual free peek at our credit reports,doesn't it stand to reason that our FICO scores should be included in that profile?

Under the vaunted American "free enterprise" system, people can supposedly choose from competing brands to meet their needs. But since there is no real competiton with FICO, Fair Isaac is a monopoly. And to make matters worse we have no recourse in this matter and nowhere to turn for assistance or protection of our interests.

Despite appeals from consumer advocate groups to the FTC and to our lawmakers, it doesn't look as though things will change unless perhaps we get a more enlightened administration in November, one that is not in bed with the finance industry as is Dubya and his crew.