Get the FreeCredit guy to walk the plank

Everyone loves The Martin Agency's jingle for FreeCreditReport.com, which has spawned numerous parodies. (Well, OK, not everyone loves it.) Assuming you haven’t heard it incessantly, check out the commercials “Pirates,” “Driving,” and “Dream Girl.” Unfortunately, not all of FreeCreditReport’s customers are loving the ads’ misleading nature. The New York Times reports that lyrics like “F-R-E-E that spells Free ... CreditReport.com, baby,” apparently give some people the idea that the service is ... free. The actual price is $14.95 a month, and canceling can evidently be difficult. The FTC has been on the case for a while, and FreeCreditReport has already paid the FTC some $950,000 in fines and had to offer refunds to certain consumers. But consumer advocacy groups want more—they want a crackdown on the ads (which, by the way, are SO much better than what they were airing before). Will they be pulled? Probably not. A second round has already been filmed, this time with the lead singer downgrading his car to a bike, attending a Hollywood party as a waiter, and, that old chestnut ... playing at a Renaissance fair.

—Posted by Rebecca Cullers

August 4, 2008 in Cullers, FreeCreditReport.com, Martin Agency | Permalink