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Where to begin looking

Places to look, straight from the source.

Not sure where to begin? Here are six trusted places, what you will find at each, and the first step.

  • Your credit reports

    AnnualCreditReport.com

    The official site for your free credit reports.

    annualcreditreport.com(opens in a new tab)

    Checked

    What's there
    Your reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. These 3 companies track your cards, loans and payments.
    First step
    Tap "Request Your Free Credit Reports". Have your Social Security number and address ready.
    Why trust it
    USA.gov names it the only site the government allows to give out free reports. Free every week. Looking won't hurt your score.

  • Your Social Security record

    my Social Security

    Your free account with Social Security, online.

    ssa.gov/myaccount(opens in a new tab)

    Checked

    What's there
    Social Security's record of your pay, year by year, and an estimate of what it may pay you later.
    First step
    Make an account with Login.gov, or sign in with an ID.me account you already have. You need an email, a photo ID and a phone. Then check each year's pay.
    Why trust it
    Run by the Social Security Administration, a US agency. Its own page calls the account free.

  • Money owed to you

    unclaimed.org

    A free map to each state's search for money owed to you.

    unclaimed.org/search(opens in a new tab)

    Checked

    What's there
    When a company can't reach you about money it owes, like a last paycheck or a deposit, it must hand it to the state. That money is called unclaimed property.
    First step
    Pick your state on the map, then search your name. Check every state you have lived in.
    Why trust it
    Run by the group of state offices that hold this money. The search is free on each state's own site.

  • Filing taxes free

    IRS Free File

    The IRS's free way to file your federal taxes online.

    irs.gov/freefile(opens in a new tab)

    Checked

    What's there
    Free tax software if your AGI is under a limit the IRS sets each year. At any income, free online forms you fill in yourself.
    AGI
    Adjusted gross income. It is your total income minus a few things, like student loan interest.
    First step
    Start at irs.gov/freefile. If you go straight to a tax company's own site, you don't get Free File.
    Why trust it
    Run by the IRS with tax software companies. They are not allowed to push paid extras. Some charge for your state taxes.
    When
    It is seasonal, not open all year. The IRS's Free File pages say whether it is open now and the day it closes.

  • Checking a broker

    FINRA BrokerCheck

    A free lookup for brokers, the people paid to buy and sell investments for you.

    brokercheck.finra.org(opens in a new tab)

    Checked

    What's there
    Whether a person or firm is registered to sell investments or give investment advice, as the law requires. Plus their past jobs, licenses and complaints.
    First step
    Type the person's name in the search box and tap Search. Then read their report.
    Why trust it
    Run by FINRA, an independent regulator that Congress authorized to protect investors. It is not a government agency.

  • A bank or card problem

    The CFPB complaint page

    The US government's page for a complaint about a bank, card or loan.

    consumerfinance.gov/complaint(opens in a new tab)

    Checked

    What's there
    A form that sends your complaint to the company. The CFPB says most companies reply within 15 days.
    First step
    Try the company first. Still stuck? Get your dates, amounts and messages together. You usually get one try per problem.
    Why trust it
    Run by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a US agency. You can also call (855) 411-2372.

GenHedge has no ties to any of these sites. No link on this page earns us anything.

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