Amazon wants Alexa to help you with your finances, but the company is going to charge you for it. That’s according to news from MarketWatch, which reported Amazon Echo customers can now ask Alexa what their FICO credit score is but will have to pay $25 a month to get the answer. Experian, the credit scoring company, announced it was teaming up with Amazon to create the new skill for Alexa devices earlier this week. Customers can also ask Alexa what financial behaviors they are engaging in that help or hurt their FICO score. “Consumers use Alexa daily to check the weather, manage bank accounts, play music and more,” said Guy Abramo, president of Consumer Business at Experian, in the report. “It’s natural to incorporate another important element — credit services.” Experian is hoping the Alexa skill will resonate with millennials in particular. To get Alexa to reveal what their FICO credit scores are, users must first give up their usernames and passwords via voice and a four-digit personal key, which will last for five minutes. If they wait more than five minutes, they will be asked for a personal key number yet again. The limited window of time is designed to make sure the information is secure and provided to the correct person. MarketWatch noted that in the wake of the Equifax data breach, in which the personal information of 145.5 million people, including 209,000 credit card accounts, were compromised, only around one-quarter of U.S. adults checked their FICO score or report. Those least likely to check their credit score are between the ages of 18 and 26. Devices that support Alexa cost anywhere from $50 to $150, not to mention the monthly fee that comes with using the Experian skill for Alexa, making the investment pricey for many. A standard version is free, while a premium version will cost $24.99 a month after an introductory rate of $4.99.
Credit scoring company Experian has announced a partnership with Google to add credit advice to the services offered by voice - activated assistant Alexa . Users will be able to ask for their credit score and get advice on how their financial situation is affecting it . To maintain security , users will have to confirm their identity and a time - limited password before being given their financial data . Registering for the basic features of the service is free , but access to the detailed advice services requires a subscription of $ 24.99 a month .