If you are worried about safeguarding your credit, Consumer Reports recommends more affordable ways to track your credit rating:

¢ Consumers are entitled to three free credit reports a year. One free report a year can be obtained from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and Trans-Union. Staggering your requests throughout the year will keep you abreast of changes in your credit report.

¢ There are affordable ways of getting your credit score. Some Web sites charge as much as $75 for a credit score, says Consumer Reports, but getting your FICO score doesn’t have to cost a mint. You can obtain your credit score for as little as $8 at Annual Credit Report .com.

¢ If in doubt, consider a security freeze. Thirty-seven states, including Kansas, allow consumers to place a security freeze on their credit reports. Once you do that you can sign up for a new credit card only by inputting a PIN. This bars thieves from using your information to apply for new accounts. For more information, go to ConsumersUnion.org.