One day after SunTrust announced free credit monitoring for checking customers (see NetBanker May 8), PayPal launched a similar service for its 50+ million U.S. account holders (see landing page below for details). Both services use Equifax to power alerts based on credit bureau info.

However, SunTrust includes one free look at the customer's credit report. PayPal users would have to pay for that, or sign up separately at <annualcreditreport.com> to see their report free of charge.

While SunTrust bends over backwards trying to upsell users into a more comprehensive fee-based option, PayPal takes the high road, at least initially, simply redirecting users to an Equifax sign-up form devoid of sales pitches (click on screenshot below for closeup).

However, we expect the upsell offers will be along shortly. We'll keep you posted. As a previous Equifax credit-monitoring customer, we've witnessed the company's aggressive email marketing schedule.

—JB