Update: Credit Sesame now uses TransUnion data, more on that change can be found here.
Is all of this too good to be true? Is Credit Sesame a scam? We signed up for their service to see what the truth really was.
Contents
Credit Sesame Credit Scores
Are the scores really free?
With most credit monitoring services there is a free trial period and then you start being billed monthly once it finishes. Credit Sesame doesn’t have a trial period, it starts off free and never stops being free. They don’t require a credit card to sign up, so there is no way for them to charge you even if they wanted to start.
Are The Scores Accurate?
Credit sesame uses what is known as the Experian National Equivalency score. The score is accurate for what it is, but this is not the same score lenders look at when you make an application for a loan.
Lenders look at what is known as a FICO score, this is calculated differently to the score sesame provides and even has a different range (360-840 for sesame and 300-850 for FICO).
I decided to check my Equivalency score and my FICO score on the same day (and choosing an Experian FICO from myFICO.com as that’s the credit bureau credit sesame uses) to see what the difference is between my two scores.
[Read: How To Get A Free FICO Score]
My Credit Sesame score was 833 (just 7 below the maximum, wow!)
My Experian FICO score was 821
That’s a difference of 12 points and a lot closer than I thought it would be. Both put me into the excellent category, meaning I should be approved for all credit cards and offered the best interest rates.
We decided to do some additional research and trawled other blogs and message boards, in total we found 63 people that had both a credit sesame score and a FICO score publicly viewable. The average difference was 33 points. A difference of 33 points is massive and could easily put people into a different scoring category.
[Read: FICO Score Vs Experian National Equivalency Score]
How Is The Score Calculated?
Neither Experian or Credit Sesame publicly stated how the Equivalency score is calculated, only that it’s extremely similar to the scoring algorithm FICO uses for their score. They do have a sector that says: “Key Factors Impacting Your Score”, unfortunately mine just says “Congratulations, you have an excellent score”.
This isn’t very helpful to credit newbies with a good score who want to maintain or improve on their already good start.
[Read: How Is A FICO Score Calculated?]
Other Features
Goal Setting
It’s possible to set goals and then receive advice on how to reach those goals. For example, I can choose “Increase my credit score” as a goal and then I’ll be presented with advice on how to achieve this goal.
The advice given is fairly basic, but for credit newbies I can see this being useful. The main problem I have with their goal setting feature is that it’s predominantly used as a way for Credit Sesame to unsuspecting customers. For example, one piece of advice they give is to check your credit reports for inaccuracies and then dispute these inaccuracies. Rather than informing consumers they have the right to a free credit report from each of the bureaus every year, they try to sell their customers an Experian report for $9.95.
To me this shows they are more concerned about making money than actually helping their users get into a better financial position.
Credit Monitoring
They also offer free credit monitoring of your Experian credit report. This will only notify you of major changes, such as a new application for credit being made or a debt being marked as delinquent.
It’s useful to monitor your credit report, especially as it’s a good way of catching identity theft early. It would be good if they also showed a complete credit report, but as they are constantly trying to sell these that’s unlikely.
Identity Theft Protection
Credit Sesame recently announced that they now provide consumers with free identity theft insurance. Coverage is up to $50,000 in expenses. You can only claim expenses that are related to restoring your identity for example:
- Phone bills
- Lost wages (usually only up to a maximum of four weeks)
- Notary and certified mailing costs
- Postage
- Obtaining credit reports (this can be done for free through http://www.annualcreditreport.com)
You cannot claim loses due to identity theft (e.g fraudulent activity on your bank accounts or credit cards). They also give you free access to a live identity restoration specialists who will help you restore your identity.
How Do They Make Money?
CS makes money by showing tailored loans and credit cards to their members. When a member applies or is approved for one of these products they receive commission. They also make money through partnerships. For example they currently power mint.com’s home loan tool and receive commission whenever a consumer signs up for a loan through that tool.
They also make additional money by selling access to your credit reports for $9.95. Users should remember that they legally have access to their credit reports (one from each bureau) once every twelve months. They can also get an additional two credit reports per year for free by signing up to Quizzle (no credit card required).
[Read: How to get your free credit reports]
Is Credit Sesame Safe?
Credit Sesame was founded by Adrian Nazari who also co-founded Financial Crossing, it’s also been backed by two large venture capital firms, Inventus Capital & Menlo Ventures. Because of this and the following security certificates we believe the information that’s stored on the Credit Sesame servers is secure.
Because they don’t have access to your credit card, there is no way for them to charge you. So there is no risk of them sneaking in charges.
Will using credit sesame hurt my credit score?
No. When you use credit sesame they do a soft pull on your credit report, this is not used by any scoring algorithms to calculate your credit score and isn’t something lenders consider when you apply for a new loan.
Our Verdict
The main reason to sign up to Credit Sesame is for the free credit score, unfortunately because this is a FAKO score that’s not used by lenders there is little point in tracking and trying to improve it.
The additional features Sesame offers are designed to drive more revenue and profit for them, rather than actually helping consumers. Other credit monitoring providers are a better option for consumers as they either provide a score that lenders look at (Credit Karma) or a complete credit report (Quizzle).
In our opinion it’s not worth signing up for Credit Sesame, but it doesn’t cost anything and it’s safe – so why not see for yourself?
Credit Sesame Contact Information
E-mail address
Phone number
Social Media
Other inquiries and e-mail addresses can be found on the credit sesame contact us page.
View Comments (59)
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WARNING: Credit Sesame is the WORST credit builder company in existence. In sum, they care more about their PROFITS than actually helping people build their credit. Here's why:
So I was in financial ruin (owed too much credit card debt, thousands in medical bills, multiple lawsuits, and eventually becoming bankrupt) so I needed to get back on my feet and fix my financial life.
I thought the Credit Sesame Cash card was the perfect card for me in order to get me back up and improve my credit score because it was affordable (free to apply and no annual or monthly fees), it didn't require good credit score in order to get accepted, and, most importantly, help build your credit by providing you with the credit line you need in order to use it (which helps build your credit history), pay it back on time (which helps build your trustworthiness and financial responsibility), slowly increase your credit limit (which increases your credit score), and last but not least grow your credit age by keeping your credit account OPEN.
Unfortunately, last week (5/19/23), after growing my credit for almost two years, Credit Sesame sent me this email:
As a valued Sesame Cash account holder, we want to give you advance notice of new account fees* effective June 15, 2023 or after.
The new fee structure is designed to ensure active users can still enjoy free banking services. Account holders who make a direct deposit of at least $500 or spend more than $1,000 during each monthly billing period continue to benefit from no monthly or inactivity fees.
Account holders making a direct deposit under $500 or spending under $1,000 during each monthly billing period are charged a monthly fee of $9.99.
Account holders with no money movement in or out of their accounts pay the monthly fee plus $3.00 for every 30 days of inactivity.
Thank you for being a loyal supporter of Sesame Cash. We look forward to sharing new features and benefits with you in the near future.
By continuing to utilize the services, you agree to the Sesame Cash Terms of Service and Sesame Cash Cardholder Agreement. If you do not wish to accept, you may choose to close your account.
Was that a bait and switch move? Bait me with free credit builder accounts and then, a few years later, switch it with the same accounts but with monthly fees and other rules to get your money. And if I don't accept, I should close my account, which holds my whole credit history since its the only credit card I have.
Consequently, You know what happens when you close your credit card account? Your credit score goes way down and you need to start your credit history all over again from scratch. This company doesn't care about your credit score and just wants to make extra money. Now it is going to take me two years to get back where left at. You know how hard it is to buy a home? To get a mortgage? To raise your credit to excellent in order to actually afford the mortgage?
They could have at least applied the new rule to NEW customers instead of the current ones since we didn't agree to monthly fees (I would have chosen another credit builder if that was the case). Unfortunately, due to Credit Sesame's greed and immoral business tactics, I need to close my account and toss my two-year credit history in the trash with it.
That is how Credit Sesame treats their valued customers. Valued indeed.
Impossible to close Sesame Cash account, so they can charge you $14 monthly fee for keeping Cash account open
Update on May 26, 2023:
When I call the phone number 1-877-751-1859, choose option 2 for my account, and choose option 4 for requesting a new Sesame Cash debit card, I was able to reach a Credit Sesame representative to close my Sesame Cash account. This is another scammy practice pulled by Credit Sesame because if I call the same phone number above, choose option 2 for my account, and then choose option 5 for account closure, the virtual phone assistance will literally tell me to go to the support page to submit an account closure form, and if I fill out that account closure form on their website, they would never respond and my Sesame Cash account would never be closed, and I would be charged $14 monthly fee for keeping the Sesame Cash account open.
Anyways, for anyone has issues reaching Credit Sesame representatives to close the Sesame Cash account, make sure to call the phone number 1-877-751-1859, choose option 2 for your account, and choose option 4 for requesting a new Sesame Cash debit card to reach a Credit Sesame representative to close your Cash account. If you choose option 5 for account closure, the virtual phone assistance will not let you reach a representative and keeps telling you to fill out an account closure form on their support website, which they will never respond and will keep your Cash account open, and they will force you to pay the $14 monthly fee for keeping the Cash account open.
There scores are wrong ,they just want you to apply for different credit cards ,high interest low credit limit. They also sell you out to bad debts from the past even if they where dissolved. Not a good company ,they will start you with a high false score and then lower it every month and give you ways to build it ,but that is just a way they can sell you.
They do not respect your desire to be taken off of their daily informational mailing list, they'll ignore your choice when you go to the link to unsubscribe.
The phone number you have listed for Credit Sesame is no longer theirs. It sounds like some sort of scam thing when called.
Thanks, removed that one
@will Hey Doc, please don't let the trolling morons dissuade you from fighting the good fight and helping all of us accumulate wealth and knowledge. You truly do Yeoman's work here and it's all out of simply trying to help people out. Much appreciated man
Creditsesame is absolutely and unequivocally and SCAM. They won't respond to any emails you send asking to be removed from their "Premium membership" access. You have to go through your bank and leave a review of the company on the ConsumerAffairs website @ https://www.consumeraffairs.com/online/credit-sesame.html
So glad I came across these reviews. They have convinced me that something advertised as FREE is usually not! You pay in other ways.
Hi
Credit Sesame is nothing but a website for them to push companies on you. They act like they are here to help us get our credit under control, yet their "recommended loan companies" APR is 3 to 4 times higher or more than the credit cards i was wanting to pay off. When i realized this (after submitting an application, and now they have my info!!) and i emailed them asking why they would suggest those companies if they were actually trying to help people, they emailed me back about how i could unsubscribe!! They are seriously the most unhelpful customer service ever. I immediately unsubscribed.
i dont know what you people are talking about. I LUV LUV LUV CREDIT SESAME AND CREDIT KARMA. THEY HELPED ME BUILD MY SCORE UP TO 833. NO LIE!!!