Received a Gift Card for the Holidays?

Some people claim that a Gift Card is an impersonal and unthoughtful gift--I'm guessing these are the same people that are done holiday shopping by November 15th and have these impressive handmade name cards to mark everyone's place at the Holiday dinner table. Inspiring perhaps but not realistic for me--Gift Cards are a staple of Holiday giving--and the fact that I can conveniently get them while shopping for groceries brings a smile of relief to my day.  I must not be the only gift card buyer since the National Retail Federation estimated that the total gift card spending for the holidays will be over $24 billion.  Here are some tips if you were lucky enough to receive a Gift Card for the Holidays:

1) Spend it--chances are if you don't use it soon after getting it, you will lose it. By shopping right after the Holidays, you may get some great sales/bargains.
2) Know your rights--Gift Cards used to have expiration fees and other complicated terms that could make them challenging to use, but things have changed.  New Federal Trade Commission rules went into effect in August 2010 that say that a gift card can not expire for at least 5 years from the date it was purchased. You may face inactivity fees though if you don't use the card for a year--another reason to spend it quickly. See all the new rules at the FTC's website.
3) Treat the card as if it were cash--if you lose it, you may be out of luck or you may pay a fee to  replace it.
4) The Gift Card is only good if the store is still in business--again, back to Tip #1.
5) If you received a Gift Card for a restaurant, don't forget to tip you waiter/waitress on the full amount of the check, not the remaining amount once the Gift Card is deducted (can you tell I used to be in the restaurant business?)
6) Spend the full value--why leave $2 on it--you probably won't go back to use those $2.

Charitable Giving-Do Your Homework First!

If you are in a position to help a charity this Holiday season--choose it wisely. There are so many requests for help, some of which have no intention of actually helping the cause you want to support.  Never give your credit card or checking account information out to someone calling you on the phone asking you to support their charity. You have no proof of who is on the other end of that phone and what they are doing with your financial information. Instead, ask them to send you something in writing and check them out first. Check to see if your state requires charities to be registered by going to the National Association of State Charity Officials' website . If it does, check the information on that charity to see how much of its funds go to the actual charitable work and how much goes to "administration". It's actually possible that a charity is properly registered but puts 90% of its money into "administration"--hardly a group I would want to support. Also, check out the charity through the Better Business Bureau's website and Guidestar's website. Make sure your good intentions to help others actually turn into reality.

For more information on giving to charities, check the Federal Trade Commission's information.

One Way to Make the Holidays Enjoyable

An almost unavoidable aspect of the Holidays is shopping. Like many, I look forward to shopping--it's the only time of year I can let my inner shopaholic emerge--going into stores with holiday music playing, the thrill of tracking down a good deal, the irrational joy involved with buying, the ability to spend money and justify it since it's gifts for others--what's not to like? The bills that come in after the Holidays--that's what's not to like.

While we need it year round, during the Holiday season we really need to develop that inner voice of caution that starts with telling us to create a budget of what we can afford to spend on gifts, holiday trimmings, parties, food and items involved in gift giving and entertaining. Call it a Spending Plan since we're clearly going to spend and it may make us more inclined to develop it if we're not as negative about it as we are about "budgets". Be honest when coming up with--if you are going to get your pets gifts but hate to admit what you spend on them, put them on the Spending plan anyway.

Once you've taken the admirable step of creating your Spending Plan, check it at least every week. It's way too easy to start shopping and let our good intentions slip away but if you're looking at your plan every week, you can reign in your impulses before it's too late.

When your shopping is done, and you're on track with your Spending Plan--congratulate yourself and celebrate your success in being financially responsible (in a small, affordable way of course!). The Holidays will be even more enjoyable when you aren't stressed about if you have overspent-AND-January will be a lot happier if you're aren't dreading credit card bills! Check some other Holidays Shopping Tips on FTC's website.

Stop Calling Me! How to Remove Your Name from Telemarketing Lists

Don't Throw Your Phone Out-Learn to Stop Those Calls

As the Holiday season approaches, you will probably see an increase in telemarketing calls.  You can’t avoid unwanted calls completely, but according to the nonprofit National Consumers League, you can reduce the number of calls you receive.  

Don’t provide information that isn’t necessary for the transaction.  Don’t just fill in the blanks on order forms, warranty forms, etc. without considering whether you want to limit the information you supply.

Think twice before entering contests.  Entry forms are often used to build marketing lists.

Know the privacy policy.  Look for explanations about what personal information the company collects, how is it used, and what control you have over it.  If you don’t know what the privacy policy is, ask.

Know when your personal information is being collected.  Be aware of Automatic Number Identification, which shows the number you’re dialing from when you call a company’s 800 number.  Ask what information is being collected and tell the company if you don’t want to be put on a marketing list.

Understand that unlisted and unpublished phone numbers don’t guarantee privacy.  Marketers may get your number if you’ve given it to others or they may dial you randomly.

Know your rights.  Federal law allows you to tell telemarketers not to call you again.  Ask your state consumer protection agency if you have “Do Not Call” rights under state law.

Industry associations can help.  Call 888-567-8688 to get off marketing lists for preapproved credit and insurance offers (this does not affect your ability to apply for credit or insurance).  The Direct Marketing Association’s Telephone Preference Service will remove you from many major companies’ telemarketing lists.  

Report violations of your federal “Do Not Call” rights to the Federal Trade Commission, 877-382-4357 or http://www.ftc.gov/ and the Federal Communications Commission, 888-225-5322 or http://www.fcc.gov/cib.  You can also sue in small claims court under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act for $500.   For more tips go to NCL's Privacy Site.

This Fall--Get Your Home Ready for Winter

With temperatures dropping, we need to work on our fall “to-do” list to maintain our homes and save money.

If you are buying firewood, make sure you select a licensed firewood dealer. A cord of wood is defined as eight feet long by four feet high and four feet wide. Ask specifically for dry, seasoned wood. Have your chimney cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep. Make sure the fireplace damper is in the closed position when the fireplace is not in use.

Clean your rain gutters and downspouts.  Have the seals around any openings in the roof—such as chimney, skylights, and plumbing vent pipes inspected for signs of deterioration. Roof leaks are the most common source of water damage in the home.

Inspect exterior walls, foundation, patio, steps and walkways for cracks or deterioration that could present a tripping/slipping hazard or allow water to seep in and freeze. Major signs of deterioration should be repaired professionally (ck my previous blog article for hiring a contractor). However, cracks less than ¼ inch wide can usually be caulked by the average handy homeowner.

Shut off water valve to outside faucet, drain water and disconnect hoses. This will prevent freezing pipes.

Keep warm in and cold air out by inspecting insulation to ensure that the layer over the heated part of the house is at least six inches thick. Put storm windows on or use plastic sealant if necessary. Visually inspect and replace damaged or missing weather-stripping around doors and windows.

Check the furnace to ensure that the air circulation fan and the burner are operating properly. Replace dirty air filters and check the operation of the thermostat. To further conserve fuel, it is recommended that thermostat settings not exceed 72 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night.

Change your batteries in your smoke detector and use a carbon monoxide detector if you have a wood fireplace or gas appliances.

Doing your work now will help ensure that your home is ready for winter and save you hard earned dollars. No one wants to wake up Christmas morning without heat (been there)!

Vroom Vroom

We all love the thrill of owning a new car and smelling that new car smell every time you open the door. But do you know what it takes to get a good deal on a new car? First, do your homework.  Research different cars, their features, safety ratings, and costs associated with them such as gas mileage, repair costs and the cost of insurance. There are several sources for your research such as Consumer Reports, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; Jack Gillis’ Car Buying book; Edmunds—all of these resources have great information on their websites. Be sure to find out the price the vehicle cost the dealer. Next, check out the dealer where you are thinking of shopping—call the local BBB and consumer protection offices to check the dealer’s complaint record.

Once you have identified the car you want and a reputable dealer, go take a test drive and be sure this is the car you want. I’m a firm believer that you should love whatever car you drive—although I have driven many a car because it was what I could afford (first car—1960ish Ford Galaxy) or because it was what I needed at the time (station wagon). When discussing price with the salesperson, be sure to ask if there are any rebates or incentives in effect.

If you decide to finance your car, be aware that the financing obtained by the dealer, even if the dealer contacts lenders on your behalf may not be the best deal you can get. Contact lenders directly. Compare the financing they offer you with the financing the dealer offers you. Because offers vary, shop around for the best deal, comparing the annual percentage rate (APR) and the length of the loan. When negotiating to finance a car, be wary of focusing only on the monthly payment. The total amount you will pay depends on the price of the car you negotiate, the interest rate and the length of the loan.

If you are thinking of leasing a new car, be sure to understand all the terms and conditions. How many miles are covered under the lease—what is the price per mile if you go over that amount? Is there any amount due at the end of the lease? What are the early termination costs?

Be sure to inspect the car carefully before leaving the lot, looking for signs of any damage or excessive wear/tear. It is not a good idea to pick up a car at night when the light is limited.

Before you sign a contract to purchase or finance the car, consider the terms of the financing and evaluate whether it is affordable. Before you drive off the lot, be sure to have a copy of the contract that both you and the dealer have signed and be sure that all blanks are filled in. In general, there is no cooling off period for a new car purchase.

But It's Broken!

Now that we've cleared up return policies, what happens if you want to return an item, not because you don't like the color or it doesn't fit, but because it's broken? First, if the retailer tries to refuse your request to address the broken item because they have a "No Returns" policy,  politely state that their refund policy does not apply in this situation. Be sure to have your receipt and any other documentation with you. Know what the manufacturer's warranty is on the item. Ask the retailer to either repair  the item, replace it or refund your money. Generally speaking, the retailer has legal responsibility to sell you an item that is in working condition and is therefore responsible to make you whole if the item is defective. In addition, if you are fortunate to live in a state that has legally required "Implied Warranties", the retailer and the manufacturer have equal responsibilities to either repair/replace the item or refund your money. That is very helpful when the retailer tries to tell you to ship your defective item back to the manufacturer and deal with the situation yourself (as happened in a case I investigated where the retailer wanted the consumer to ship a large dining room table to the manufacturer! After a heated discussion over Maryland's Implied Warranty laws, the retailer succumbed to reason and fixed the table).

If you have purchased an item that is defective, don't just give up and throw it out. Know your rights and pursue the issue. Contact your local consumer protection office if the retailer won't help you. For more information on defective goods, see this article from Consumer Reports.

So You Think You Can Return It?

One of the most common complaints received by consumer protection agencies involves the issue of returning items.  There's a perception that if you have not used the item, the tags are still on it and you have your receipt, that you can return it and get your money back. While most merchants do have reasonable return policies, consumers need to know that they do not have the legal "right" to return items (unless the item is defective--more on how to handle that will follow in a later posting).

Merchants have a variety of return policies which they develop to further the goal of making their business profitable. However, to level the playing field or to make it fair for consumers, the return policy must be posted so the consumer can determine what it is prior to purchasing the item. This can mean a sign around the register area or even a notice on the item itself. Sometimes retailers will have a liberal return policy such as 90 day return with receipt on most items, but will put a sticker on the price tag of particular items, such as Prom Gowns or Bathing Suits, that this item can not be returned at all. Some retailers who previously have had generous return policies have switched to a no-refund policy due to the difficult economic times. Many are charging a re-stocking fee for larger items and electronics.

Bottom Line--Don't lose precious dollars on items that you can't use, don't fit, or you just don't want. ALWAYS check the return policy before buying an item which you are not sure you want to keep--and see it in writing--never go on a salesclerk's verbal explanation.

It's Too Hot To Go Out--Why Not Check Your Insurance

The "Dog Days" of summer are upon us--it's too hot to spend much time outside, so why not use the time you spend inside to check on your insurance coverage? Most of us get our vehicles and homes/belongings covered and then just pay the bill every six months without looking through the mounds of papers which are sent with the bill. We never check to see if our coverage meets our needs five years later and don't bother thinking about it until we need to make a claim. We should however, check our policies at least once a year--after all, we have the insurance to reduce our financial risk if something were to happen--but if we don't have coverage, for example, on the jewelery we've accumulated over time, then it won't pay a dime when that jewelery is stolen or lost.

Check on:

• Does your homeowner's insurance cover the value of rebuilding your home--don't rely solely on the insurance company's estimate--check with a reputable, licensed contractor to see what the cost would be to rebuild.
• Should you have rider, or additional, policies for jewelery, collectibles, electronic equipment, firearms etc?
• Consider flood insurance--seriously. It's not just for those who live in "flood" zones. Homeowner's policies exclude damage from floods. According to FEMA--"a flood is a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land or two or more properties are inundated by water or mudflow. Many conditions can result in a flood: hurricanes, broken levees, outdated or clogged drainage systems and rapid accumulation of rainfall" so it's possible for your house to be flooded by a major rainstorm and you won't get any help from your insurance company. Check on www.floodsmart.gov for more info.
• Depending on where you live, consider earthquake insurance ( as someone who felt that earthquake in Maryland last week, I could rest a little easier knowing that I had earthquake insurance).
• Do you have a need for an umbrella insurance policy--one that covers your assets more broadly than the homeowner's or auto policies? Definitely something to consider if you have teens driving in your household.
• Do you have a college student who is living in a dorm and does your homeowner's insurance cover their belongings at school? If you student is living off campus in an apartment, get them renter's insurance.
• Do you have replacement value for the belongings in the house--if not, you'll get pennies on the dollar to replace the items.
• What is your deductible for homeowners or car insurance? We like to raise the deductibles since it lowers our yearly payments--but can you really handle that deductible if you needed to make a claim?
• Many states permit the insurance company to check your credit report when determining the premium for you auto insurance--check your credit report yourself first at www.annualcreditreport.com 

For more information on making sure your insurance is meeting your needs, check the federal government's www.mymoney.gov pages on insurance. Take 30 minutes now and protect your financial future from risk.

Where’s my Car?*!

Heading out to shops and restaurant this summer? If you are parking in tight metropolitan areas, be sure to look for signs all around the parking lot where you are thinking of parking. If you could be towed from that lot, there will be signs saying “parking only for customers of……” or something similar to let you know what are the conditions for parking there. You need to take these signs seriously. The businesses which operate the lot are--rightfully so--trying to make sure their customers can park there.

If you come back to find your car missing, call the non-emergency number for the local police-most areas require the tower to log the tow in with them so they can direct you on where to locate your car. If you are towed without your permission, there are maximum rates in most of the metropolitan areas which should be posted by the tower. In addition, many, but not all, towers must accept payment by either credit card—Visa or Mastercard-or personal check. Keep in mind that the tower has the right to choose between these two methods of payment.

Be sure to inspect your car before you leave the tower’s lot—note any damage on the towing receipt. Usually a towing company may not tow a car which has a valid handicap registration plate or disable permit—unless a police officer authorizes the tow or the vehicle is blocking a clearly marked fire lane or access to another vehicle.

Avoiding a distressing situation like this is the best course of action—don’t have the attitude that “no one cares if I park here” or “hey, my car can fit here, so I’m taking this spot”. Look carefully where you put your car to make sure it’s there when you get back after that great dinner/shopping trip!

Airport Shuttle Companies

Many consumers travel via air over the summer and don’t want to leave their car at the airport. One option is using an airport shuttle company.  However, some consumers have experienced problems with those companies, such as the shuttle not showing up at all or showing up so late that the consumer misses their flight. Consumers considering using an airport shuttle service should:

• Plan ahead. Take the time to check out different companies to ensure you are dealing with a reputable and reliable company.
•  Check out the company’s complaint record with local consumer protection agencies or their local Better Business Bureau.
• Research various methods of getting to the airport.  If you have several people traveling together, it may be less expensive, and reduce the travel time to the airport, to hire a private sedan service.
• Realize that if you use an airport shuttle service, you probably will be sharing the van with other passengers.  Make sure you request to be picked up in plenty of time so you can arrive at the airport within the required time before your flight leaves. Depending on the number of passengers the van will be picking up, you may need to be picked up two to three hours before you are supposed to be at the airport.
• Get a receipt for each ride on the shuttle.  If you have a problem with the service, record the reservation number, company number of the van and license number of the van before it leaves.
• When using a shuttle service for a trip from the airport to your home, make sure you are using the service you contracted with.  Many different shuttle services visit the airport and the vans often tend to look alike, especially in the dark.  If you have prepaid for the service and you accidentally get into the wrong van, you will end up paying twice.
• Make sure you take all your possessions when leaving the van.  It is often difficult to recover items left on the van.

Is a Move in Your Near Future?

Summer is without a doubt the busiest time for moving.  If you have ever moved, you know it is stressful—even when things go well.  However, there are several steps you can take to have a successful move and minimize your stress.

• Get several written estimates, based upon on-site inspections. Telephone estimates are seldom accurate and often result in higher prices on the day of the move. Know your rights if the mover tries to increase the price on the day of the move—some states have laws prohibiting the mover from engaging in the age-old practice of loading your goods on the truck, raising the price and then refusing to unload your goods unless you pay the higher price—in these states, the mover must unload your goods and then take the dispute to court.
• Don't choose on the basis of price alone.  Check out the company—how long it’s been in business, and if there are any complaints against it with either local consumer protection agencies, online consumer complaint sites or the BBB. Make sure there is a physical office for the company and that it has the proper licenses and insurance.
• Read and be sure you understand the terms of the Bill of Lading (moving contract) and in what form (check, cash, cashier's check, etc.) the mover will require payment.
• Get everything in writing, including the mover's liability in case of breakage or loss of your possessions. Most movers limit their liability for damage or loss to only 30 or 60 cents per pound. Therefore, give careful consideration to buying additional full replacement insurance to cover loss or damage. Keep accurate records or an inventory of all items shipped and their condition. Check items as they arrive.
• If it’s a local move, consider packing and moving rare or fragile things yourself. You don’t have to pay for boxes—just go to your local grocery store in the morning after they’ve stocked the shelves—they usually have lots of great boxes that they are willing to give away.
• Write "Subject to further inspection for concealed loss or damage" on the moving contract to allow for damage you may discover after you've had more time to check your possessions.
• Check to see if the mover is a member of a trade association—which often tries to screen out unreliable movers and will arbitrate complaints.

If you spend the necessary time to select a reputable mover and get all details in writing, it will help to make your move smoother. You’ll notice I didn’t say it would be rosy—any move is tough, so do your homework, and have lots of patience on the actual moving day. For more information, see this

 Washington Post article.

MD CASH Academy

Looking to build your financial IQ? If you live in Maryland, you have a great new resource--a client of mine--The Maryland CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Campaign just launched a new website, the Maryland CASH Academy, www.mdcashacademy.org, which lists free or low cost financial education. The MD CASH Campaign is a statewide non-profit, that assists low- and moderate- income working families by offering financial education and asset building programs.

Whether you are planning to purchase a new home, start a small business, or you need help understanding your credit or managing your money, the Maryland CASH Academy offers free classes taught by screened educators to meet your needs. No products or services will be promoted during the classes--they will be fact-based educational classes. You can sort through the classes by Topic; Location; Educator or Date and register online.

Check out the website for the Maryland CASH Academy today to join our mailing list and get up to date information on classes and trainings!

If you live in Delaware or Connecticut, you’re in luck too—those states also have online calendars of financial education courses:
www.ctmoney.org
www.delawaremoneyschool.com

Protect Your Identity While Traveling

Many times we are so excited about going on vacation--focusing on packing, making sure we are complying with TSA rules and checking our itinerary—but forget to think about protecting our identity while we’re traveling. Don’t let your vacation be ruined by having a thief steal your personal information and take off shopping on your credit:
• Only take the credit cards and ID that you absolutely need. Leave the other cards and checks home.
• Make two copies of those cards and ID—leave one at home with a family member or friend whom you can call in case the cards are stolen. Keep the other copy in the safe in your hotel room in case the cards are stolen.
• Be sure to call your credit card companies to let them know you are traveling and spending in an area outside of your normal spending patterns—otherwise you may find yourself being denied credit at the point of sale since the credit card company will suspect ID Theft and put a freeze on the card.
• Be vigilant about protecting your cards and ID—if you go to hotel pool or beach and don’t want to take them with you, lock them up in the room safe.
• If you take your laptop with you, be careful where you use it.
• If you use the hotel’s computers, don’t log into your online backing account.
• Be sure your mail at home is safe—either put a hold on the mail through the postal service or have a neighbor gather it for you. Stop your newspaper delivery—you may save money but more importantly, are not advertising that you’re not home.
• Don’t put your Facebook status “on vacation” or tweet that you’re in another country—that’s an open invitation to burglars.
For more information, see Privacy Right’s Clearinghouse’s tips.

Choosing a Travel Agency

While it is much easier today to research and plan a vacation on your own now, it does take a lot of time to navigate through the multitude of choices. Maybe you want to have a travel agent do all the work for you? While most travel agencies are reputable and guide consumers honestly and competently, there have been cases where consumers have paid for tickets that were never received. Follow the following steps before selecting a travel agency:

Find out how long the agency or tour operator has been in business and whether there are any complaints or legal action against the merchant.
Check to see if the agency is a member of these trade associations:

• The American Society of Travel Agents at www.asta.org
• The United States Tour Operators Association at www.ustoa.com
• The Association of Retail Travel Agents at www.artaonline.com

When paying for travel, pay with a credit card rather than by check or cash. Certain “chargeback” protections apply to credit card purchases. For more information on choosing a travel agency see the Federal Trade Commission’s website:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/shop/travel.shtm

Vacation Planning 101

For me, vacations are the icing of life. You don’t have to have one—it’s not a “need” but they certainly are a delicious way to spend your time.

Now, we’ve all had vacations that didn’t turn out so well—hotel wasn’t what you expected, choice of location left something to be desired or rental car charged more than you got the quote for—while all consumer purchases should be carefully researched, I would argue that choosing/planning a vacation is one of the consumer choices that absolutely can not be done with research. Not only is it your money at stake, it’s your precious time and quality of life.

If you plan to book your travel yourself versus using a travel agency, start researching possible locations by looking at general websites--just do a search on Travel Tips and you’ll have get a ton of resources--narrow it down to a type of vacation—beach travel or city; an area of world you want to see—Europe, South America—or an activity that you love to do—ski or hike. Make a list of what’s important on the vacation—to everyone traveling—it may be that some want to relax and others are dying to be on the go. Once you have some focus, check review websites—keep the reviews in perspective however, you don’t know if hotel staff are leaving them or really individual consumers. Decide how you will get to your location and where you want to stay—is a suite critical since you have a large family or is a bed and breakfast perfect for you?

Additional Tips:
• Check prices on several different websites and then call the airline/car rental company/hotel to see which price is the best.
• Use those points you have from credit cards.
• Try to find a car rental location away from the airport—these can be dramatically less costly.
• Compare one way and round trip travel--they are often very different prices.
• Be careful when purchasing—there generally is a “No Refund” policy on airfare once you have purchased that ticket.
• Decide if you want to plan out your activities before you go or are fine with planning once you get there. Either way, do some checking around online to see what the options are and if there are any online coupons.
• Always check the US State Dept’s travel alert website if you are traveling out of the US.
• Be sure to call right before you leave to confirm the travel and hotel.

For more tips, see the FTC’s webpage on travel tips.

For tips of choosing a travel agency for planning your vacation and protecting your Identity while traveling, check back soon.

Instant Tax Refunds--but at what cost?

Tax time is approaching. Are you hoping for a refund to pay off those holiday bills and thinking of going to a tax preparation company who offers “Instant Refunds”. Why wait to get your tax refund when you can get it now?

While it sounds good to get your tax refund instantly, consumers need to be aware of the fees involved. Basically, the company is issuing you a loan for the amount of your anticipated refund and your refund goes to them to pay off this loan. Not only will you pay the fee for doing your taxes but if you sign up to receive your money instantly, you will generally pay $100 or more for this convenience.

For example on a typical $1500 tax refund, one tax preparation firm charges $60 to file the federal form, $15 to file the state form, $64 loan fee and $24 for getting your money now. This means you would be paying $75 for them to fill out the forms, which are fairly easy, and you could do on your own or use the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services in your community. It also means that you pay $88 for the convenience of having your money now—that’s 6% of your refund. If you waited the usual 8-10 days that $88 would be in your pocket.

Also, many of the tax preparation companies are partnering with other businesses, such as car dealers, rent to own centers, even mortgage companies. Before agreeing to have your refund used to buy a car or other products, be sure you find out how much that privilege is going to cost you—it makes better financial sense to get your refund on your own and negotiate for whatever product you want without the issue of your refund muddying the waters.

For more information, see FDIC Tips and National Consumer Law Center’s Tips.

New Years Resolution--Check Your Credit Report!

Start the New Year off right—get a copy of your credit report. It’s free and easy. Your credit report contains information about how you have handled credit, such as loans or credit card accounts, as well any bankruptcies, tax liens or monetary judgments issued against you.