Start here to take control of your financial security. These tools can help you protect your identity, monitor your credit, and make informed financial decisions.

Protect Your Identity with a Credit Security Freeze. Make it harder for thieves to open new accounts in your name. Place a security freeze with all three national reporting credit agencies. Find out more about how to place a security freeze in this Consumer Financial Protection Bureau article – Free credit freezes are here.

IRS Identity Protection PIN. Prevent someone from filing a tax return in your name. Get an identity protection PIN from the IRS.

Review Your Credit Reports. Access free weekly credit reports at the federally authorized website www.annualcreditreport.com. A score is not included. However, these reports have the information that determines your score. Beware of imitator sites.

Monitor Your Consumer Information

• ChexSystems Report. Get a banking history report available through ChexSystems.
• LexisNexis Report. This report includes real estate transactions and ownership data, lien, judgment, and bankruptcy records, professional license information, and historical addresses on file. Access your Consumer Disclosure Report at LexisNexis.
• List of Consumer Reporting Agencies. Updated, January 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a full list of agencies that compile consumer data and information about how to access your files.

Research Financial Planners and Investment Fund Fees

• Check the Background of Financial Planners. Use the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) online BrokerCheck database to research experience and if they have had any regulatory actions.
• Research Fee Structure. Research a financial adviser’s business model and fee structure This and other important information is found in straightforward language on Form Adv Part 2A. It is posted on the Security and Exchange Commission website, and some planners also post it on their business website.
• Compare Fees of Different Mutual and Exchange Traded Funds. The FINRA Fund Analyzer can do side-by-side comparisons of different funds and the impact of fees over time.

Keep Track of Social Security Benefits. Setup a Social Security account to view benefits statements and estimate future benefits.

 Develop a Customized Plan to Eliminate Debt . Utah State University Extension’s online free, non-commercial, PowerPay debt analysis tool allows you to compare debt management strategies and much more.

Get Customized Answers to Federal Income Tax Questions. The IRS Interactive Assistant can provide specific answers about filing requirements, tax deductions, claiming dependents, retirement income, and much more.

Suggestions are Welcome! If you have suggestions for additional free, non-commercial tools that should be added to this list, contact Lisa Leslie.

0