You can’t turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or browse the net without seeing an ad telling you about how to get a free credit report. When I had my identity stolen several years ago I contacted each credit bureau individually, but that was decidedly time consuming and confusing. That’s why these ads for free credit reports are so tempting.

Legally, we are entitled to see a copy of our full credit report once a year at no cost. The confusion comes from companies who automatically enroll you in their paid monthly service once you request your initial free credit report. You have to go slow, read the fine print and make sure you understand what you are signing up for before you hit submit.

Experian, for example, has a small disclaimer that many people miss. It says:
“When you order your free report here, you will begin your free trial membership in Triple AdvantageSM Credit Monitoring. If you don’t cancel your membership within the 30-day trial period, you will be billed $12.95 for each month that you continue your membership.”

If you hunt around, you will find a link to the actual free site AnnualCreditReport.com.

As for free monthly monitoring of your credit score, there is actually a no cost option.

Credit Karma offers you access to your credit score for free, with no hidden fees. You can check your score from month to month and watch for patterns. Is it going up or going down? What can you do to improve your score? There are tips and articles to help you build your rating and credit strength.

The cool twist is that they also show you consumer offers based on your preferences and it is these Karma Offers that are enabling the Credit Karma system to be totally free for your use. By selling advertising on their site, Credit Karma does not have to charge you for the cost of pulling your credit score. Unlike other companies who tell you that your credit report score is free, Credit Karma is not going to ask you to enroll or pay after 30 days. Their services start out free and stay free. You can also be sure they are not selling your personal information. They maintain a TRUSTe approved privacy policy.

Credit Karma is still in Beta, so you will need an invitation code to sign up. Lucky for you, I have a code right here: CKFRND

Here in Florida, our Governor is quite well liked. So, it is big news that Charlie Crist has endorsed Senator John McCain. With our primaries coming at us fast, the timing on this endorsement was crucial.

Crist announced the endorsement at a Pinellas county GOP dinner in St. Petersburg. It should also be noted that Florida Senator Mel Martinez is also backing McCain. Although I voted for Martinez, he has fallen out of favor with me over the years so I take his endorsement with less authority. Crist, though, I still respect greatly.

Winning Florida means 57 delegates for the count. That’s huge. Consider that Romney had to win Nevada, Michigan, and Wyoming just to rack up 67 delegates.

Oddly, McCain and Crist differ in their options about one topic very near and dear to Floridians. McCain does not support a national catastrophic insurance fund for Florida and other hurricane-prone states. He says he would rather develop a relationship between industry and government to protect homeowners. Crist does support a national fund. I assume most Floridians also support a national fund.