The CRAs compete for the opportunity to offer "a year free credit protection" (that a breached company pays for), because to get it, you usually have to provide

The CRAs compete for the opportunity to offer "a year free credit protection" (that a breached company pays for), because to get it, you usually have to provide a credit card and subscribe to the highest tier. You get your free year and then they turn you into a paying member unless you remember to cancel.