Why does it cost a consumer money to view and manage their own credit?

Is it a typical conspiracy to keep poor people broke, or do you think there's actually some justification that is reasonable?

Well, you can view your credit reports for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com.

However, the reason is that the credit bureaus don't really want you to stop them from releasing your credit info to paying corporate customers, nor are they all that interested in making sure your credit file is 100% accurate. Too much labor cost.

In the US, it doesn't cost money. You are entitled to one free credit report from each reporting agency every year. That means you can get a free credit report three times during the year and have all the information you need to manage your own credit.

If you need help with the managing part, there are many nonprofit organizations available to help you at a very low cost and some for free.

Under the FACT Act you can review your credit report from each of the three main reporting agencies once each year at no cost. Just visit www.annualcreditreport.com

Credit card companies are in business to keep you in debt. That is how they make their money. To have credit is not a right - it is a privilege to be in debt up to your eyeballs.