Official sources · always free
Stop paying for what's free.
The most important government and official sources — the ones private sites resell. Every link goes to the source itself.
Don't understand what they're asking? Ask the Guide.
Describe your situation, paste a confusing form question, or ask for it in your language. The Guide explains in plain words and points you to the free official source. It never fills out or submits anything for you — you stay in control of every box.
General information, not legal, tax, or medical advice. Don't share Social Security, account, or card numbers. Powered by AI — check the official link before you act.
Credit & money
People pay: $20–$40/mo 'monitoring' subscriptions
The only federally authorized site. Free weekly, permanently.
www.annualcreditreport.com
People pay: 'Identity protection' plans
Free by federal law at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-fraud-alerts
People pay: 'Credit repair' companies, $79–$150/mo
You file directly with the bureau. Nobody can legally remove accurate information.
www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/
Companies must respond, usually within 15 days. Your complaint becomes part of the public record we read.
www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
People pay: $60–$200 tax software
IRS Free File for most incomes; Free Fillable Forms for everyone; VITA sites do it in person for free.
www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
People pay: Storefront preparers
IRS-certified volunteers, generally for incomes under ~$67k, seniors and disabilities.
www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers
People pay: 'Refund advance' fees
www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund
People pay: 'Finders' who keep 10–30%
The states' own association. Search every state you've lived in. Never pay a finder.
unclaimed.org
FDIC BankFind. Credit unions: ncua.gov.
banks.data.fdic.gov/bankfind-suite/bankfind
FINRA BrokerCheck; SEC adviserinfo.sec.gov for investment advisers.
brokercheck.finra.org
People pay: 'Benefits assistance' services
www.benefits.gov
People pay: 'FAFSA help' sites charging $80+
The F stands for Free. Never pay to file it.
studentaid.gov
www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
People pay: Commission-driven brokers
www.medicare.gov
www.healthcare.gov
Safety & recalls
Recall repairs are free at the dealer, by law.
www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
www.cpsc.gov/Recalls
www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
People pay: $45 vehicle history reports
NMVTIS — the federal title database. Approved providers charge a few dollars.
vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov
FEMA flood maps. Check before you buy or rent.
msc.fema.gov/portal/home
People pay: Ad-heavy weather apps
www.weather.gov
Identity theft: identitytheft.gov (free recovery plan).
reportfraud.ftc.gov
People pay: 'Call blocking' subscriptions
www.donotcall.gov
People & providers
Identity, specialty, and location. Board actions: your state medical board.
npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov
Payments are legal and disclosed; they are context, not misconduct.
openpaymentsdata.cms.gov
CMS star ratings, inspections, staffing.
www.medicare.gov/care-compare/
Look for 'price transparency' or 'standard charges' on any hospital's site — required by federal rule.
www.cms.gov/priorities/key-initiatives/hospital-price-transparency
exclusions.oig.hhs.gov
Every nonprofit's IRS 990 — salaries, spending, revenue. Also: irs.gov/charities.
projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/
People pay: 'Neighborhood check' sites
www.nsopw.gov
Legal Services Corporation — find your local legal aid office. Also 211.org for local human services.
www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help
Records & courts
People pay: Background-check sites, $20–$40
Free RECAP archive. PACER itself is free under $30/quarter.
www.courtlistener.com/recap/
People pay: Background-check sites
Your county recorder / clerk of courts. Find yours via your state's site.
www.usa.gov/state-local-governments
People pay: 'Business lookup' services
Every Secretary of State's free business search, one page.
www.nass.org/business-services/corporate-registration
USDOT status, inspections, out-of-service rates, crashes.
safer.fmcsa.dot.gov
The CFPB database we read for the Record.
www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/
www.foia.gov
We list official sources only and never take a fee for a referral. If a link is wrong or a source changed, tell us and we'll fix it. Records are records — not legal, tax, or financial advice. How every number on this site is computed →