implicit operator

I realize this isn't exactly the kind of content that belongs on a blog primarily about programming, but I thought it still might be useful to some people.

If you got a CapitalOne credit card, then you were mostly likely given the opportunity to sign up for the CreditInform service, which charges you $5.99 every month to send you a credit report three times a year. Now, I know what you're saying: "You know you can already get your credit report three times a year for FREE, right?"

Yes, I knew that. However, in my specific situation, I was speaking to a someone whose primary language is not English, so by the time she had finished reading the terms and conditions, I was so lost that I just went ahead and said "Yes, I agree".

So, the damage is done. How do you undo it?

You can call CreditInform, which is what they tell you to do on their website. However, most people get the run-around and sometimes they'll just flat out hang up on you. If you do manage to get a real person, they'll ask you for a ton of information (like your SSN) that they don't actually need. I didn't feel like dealing with this, so I sent them a letter instead. The only information you need to provide is your name, address, member number, and PIN. The last two can be found in your "welcome package" (which you hopefully saved). Here's a template that worked for me:

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]

Dear Sir or Madam:

Please let this letter serve as notice that I am terminating my CreditInform account effective immediately. My account information is:

Member Number: [Member #]
PIN: [PIN]

Please send me written confirmation that my account has been closed.

Sincerely,


[Your name]

Fire up your favorite word processor, paste that in, and fill in the fields. When you're done, print it out and send it (preferably via Certified Mail) to:

CreditInform Customer Service
PO Box 222455
Chantilly, VA 20153-2455

After a couple of weeks, you should receive a rather lengthy letter confirming that your account has been cancelled. They'll also beg you to come back and throw some "facts" about identity theft in there to try to scare you.

Now, enjoy your freedom!