Credit Reports and Unsolicited Inquiries

Recently, I had reason to request a credit report. For those unaware, you are entitled to one free credit report per year through the web site AnnualCreditReport.com, a service created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

It’s a good idea to read your report and make note of accounts you no longer use or accounts you aren’t familiar with. You should contact the creditors of the account you no longer use, as an excess of potential debt can lower your credit score.

Don’t be fooled by web sites offering “free credit reports”. Unless it is the site listed above that is endorsed by the credit bureaus, there is a chance you will get charged through fine-line items (ie, “By accepting this credit report, you are agreeing to subscribe to our credit monitoring service free for 30 days. If you do not cancel before that time, you will be charged $x per month.)

One more thing about credit… Are you sick of receiving credit card solicitations in the mail? You can opt-out unsolicited credit checks by calling 1-888-5OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) and providing the automated message with some information about yourself (but don’t take my word for it – do a Google search to confirm this is legit for yourself).

January 21st, 2006  Online Services - General   Tags: advice, credit report, money, Online Services - General, more...

TaxAct.com

It’s time to file income taxes again. I thought I would just pop in and make you aware of TaxAct.com, a service that allows you to submit your taxes online like TurboTax and H&R Block. I’ve tried all three services online, but this year I’ll probably choose TaxAct again because it was quite a bit cheaper that the others – only $15.95 to file federal AND state. The wizard didn’t seem quite as polished as TaxCut or TurboTax, however, I was able to get through it without much trouble.

So how do you file your taxes?

January 14th, 2006  Online Services - General   Tags: money, Online Services - General, taxes, more...