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>> FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION THIS IS DIRECT DRINK DIRECT WITH JEFF SALKIN.

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

COMING UP TONIGHT, A NEW TACTIC THAT LANDLORDS ARE USING AGAINST TENANTS IN RENT DISPUTES.

HOW TO DEFEND AND REPAIR YOUR CREDIT SCORE THAT'S AHEAD.

FIRST TONIGHT, THE OFFICIAL START OF SPRING IS DAYS AWAY.

SO WE THOUGHT WE WOULD GET ANSWERS TO YOUR LAWN AND GARDEN QUESTIONS TONIGHT.

JOINING US FROM BROOKSIDE GARDENS IS KATHY JENTZ THE HOST OF THE GUARD DEN DC PODCAST.

KATHY THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I SEE YOU ARE WEARING GREEN WHICH I FORGOT TO DO I HAVE A SPRING TIE ON WHICH YOU CANNOT SEE.

TELL US ABOUT ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

>> I'VE GOT MY GREEN ON TO CELEBRATE NOT JUST ST. PATRICK'S DAY BUT THE START OF SMRING.

>> Jeff: WHAT DOES THIS POINT OF THE YEAR MEAN FROM A GARDEN AND LAWN PERSPECTIVE?

>> WELL, IT'S KIND OF LIKE READY, SET, GEORGIA.

YOU GO FROM STARTING SEEDS INDOORS SPENDING YOUR EVENINGS LOOKING AT SEED CATALOGS DREAMING ABOUT SPRING AND THIS IS THE WEEK WHERE EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT ONE.

YOU START GARDENING.

>> Jeff: WHEN THE FORESITHIOUS STARTS BROOMING THAT MEANS SOMETHING?

>> THE SCIENCE OF NATURE AND TIMING MEANS THAT WHEN THE SOIL IS WARM ENOUGH, THAT IT QUEUES IT TO GO INTO BLOOM THAT IS OUR TIME FOR PRUNING ROSES, PLANTING YOUR PEAS.

YOU CAN START PLANTING LETTUCE IN YOUR EDIBLE GARDEN.

>> Jeff: ARE WE PAST THE POINT OF WORRY BEING A FREEZE?

IS IT TOO SOON TO DO CERTAIN THINGS?

>> YOU WANT TO HOLD OFF ON THE WARM SEASON ANNUALS AND EDIBLE PLANTS YOUR TOMATOES, PEPPERS, EGGPLANTS.

YOU WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY FROST IS GONE.

AND FOR MOST OF MARYLAND, THAT'S MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND.

USUALLY THAT'S MY SAFE DATE AND THEN AFTER THAT YOU CAN PLANT THE WARM SEASON THINGS OUT.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED ROSE PRUNING.

HOW SIMPLE OR COMPLEX IS THAT?

>> JEFF, WE COULD TALK AN HOUR JUST ON ROSE PRUNING EASILY.

IT CAN BE VERY COMPLEX DEPENDING WHAT ROSES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

BUT A BASIC SHRUB ROSE YOU NEED TO TAKE IT DOWN TO 18 INCHES HIGH.

AND THEN ALSO TAKE OUT ENTIRE BRANCHES IF THEY ARE DEAD, DAMAGED OR DISEASED OR RUBBING AGAINST ANOTHER BRANCH OR CAUSING ANY DAMAGE.

OR IF YOU SEE ANYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS A FUNGAL DISEASE OR BLACK SPOT ON IT TAKE THOSE OUT.

AND YOU ARE CLEANING IT UP, MAKING IT AN EMPTY INTERIOR SO THE ROSE IS ABLE TO FILL BACK IN AND GROW FOR YOU THIS YEAR.

>> Jeff: I'M SURE WE HAVE SOME EXPERT GARDENERS IN OUR AUDIENCE TONIGHT WE PROBABLY HAVE PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT IT.

BUT WHEN SPRING ARRIVES YOU START TO FEEL THE URGE TO GRAB A SHOVEL AND DO SOMETHING.

GIVE ME DO'S AND DON'T'S FOR NOVICE GARDENERS?

>> I THINK OUR FIRST DO IS GET A SOIL TEST.

BEFORE YOU START A BRAND NEW EDIBLE GARDEN YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOUR SOIL IS.

MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE HEAVY METALS AND IF YOU NEED TO AMEND IT WITH LYME TO AFFECT THE PH OR MORE NITROGEN.

GOT A SOIL TEST DONE AND YOU CAN BUILD RAISED BEDS AND FILL THEM WITH SOIL.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ORNAMENTAL GARDEN YOU GO TO THE LOCAL GARDEN CENTER AND START SHOPPING AND START SHOPPING WITH YOUR EYES AND ON YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER, AND THEN COME HOME AND PLAN.

IT'S SO TEMPTING RIGHT, JEFF, I STILL MAKE THIS MISTAKE.

YOU GO TO THE GARDEN CENTER AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL IN BLOOM AND YOU GRAB IT IT COMES HOME WITH YOU AND YOU ARE LIKE I HAVE NO PLACE TO PUT THIS.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE I'M SUPPOSED TO PLANT THIS AND WONDERING AROUND YOUR GARDEN AND WHERE SHOULD I PUT THIS?

SO MAKE A PLAN BEFORE YOU START.

>> Jeff: FOR PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE A QUESTION YOU CAN SEND AN E-MAIL.

YOU WERE TELLING ME, KATHY, ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE MOST POPULAR SUBJECTS TO GIVE A TALK ABOUT INVOLVES ARAB SON AND DEER.

>> I THINK A LOT OF GUARDERS HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGED FROM GARDENING BECAUSE OF THE DEER POPULATION EXPLOSION.

A LOT HAVE GIVEN UP OR SCALED BACK.

I TALK TO GARDEN CLUBS AND AT PUBLIC GARDENS HOW TO HUMANELY DEAL WITH DEER IN THE GARDEN AND RABBITS ARE THE SECOND BIGGEST MAMMAL PEST FOR THE GARDEN MORE FOR AN EDIBLE GARDEN.

MY BIGGEST ADVICE IS GOOD FENCING AND A LOT OF YOUR VIEWERS PROBABLY CAN'T GO ABOVE A SIX-FOOT FENCE ACCORDING TO THE HOA AND LOCAL LAWS MOST DEER CAN JUMP UP TO EIGHT FEET.

THE FENCING WOULD HAVE TO BE A SPECIFIC DEAR FENCING LIKE A NETTING MATERIAL THAT CAN GIVE YOU MORE HEIGHT TO KEEP THE DEER OUT OF YOUR GARDEN.

>> Jeff: DOES IT COME DOWN TO PICKING STUFF THAT THE DEER ARE NOT GOING TO BE ATTRACTED TO?

ARE THINGS THAT REPELL DEER?

>> YES, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY YOU COULD SPRAY WITH DEER REPELL LAND THERE'S TWO KINDS.

SULFUR BASED KIND THAT ARE BAD SMELLS AND THE DEER THAT SMELLS LIKE A PREDATOR, COULD BE BOBCAT URINE OR COYOTE.

AS FAR AS PLANT SELECTION THERE ARE PLANTS THAT DEER DON'T LIKE AND THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DEER PROOF PLANT THERE'S DEER RESISTANT.

I WILL NOT EAST IT FIRST BUT IF I'M STARVING IT MIGHT GET EATEN.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE A HIGH FRAGRANCE TO THEM.

YOUR MEDITERRANEAN HERBS LIKE LAVENDER, ROSEMARY AND GARLIC ARE NOT TASTY TO DEER.

AND OF COURSE, THINGS THAT HAVE A POISON OR TOXIN IN THEM LIKE YOUR HEALTH LABORES AND THE DAFFODILS BEHIND ME ARE ALSO CONTAIN A TOXIN THAT MOST ANIMALS WOULD NOT FIND TO BE PALATABLE.

>> Jeff: VIEWER SAYS VEGETABLE GARDENING FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE AN ISSUE WITH CANTALOUPES.

THEY LOOK GREAT BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY FLAVOR.

ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> YES, YOU MIGHT ADD SOMETHING CALLED AZO MIGHT AND THAT IS A MINERAL ADDITIVE TO YOUR SOIL THAT CAN BOOST THE FLAVOR.

IT MIGHT BE THAT IT'S GETTING TOO MUCH WATER CONTENT SO IT HAS LIKE THAT WATERY FLAVOR TO IT AND NOT GOOD FLAVOR.

OR YOU MIGHT CHOOSE A DIFFERENT VARIETY LIKE A NICE OLDER HEIRLOOM CANTALOUPE THE SMALLER KINDS THAT ARE MUCH MORE FLAVOR CONCENTRATED.

BUT YOU WON'T GET AS BIG OF A CROP.

YOU MIGHT GET A COUPLE.

BUT THEY WILL BE MUCH MORE CONCENTRATED IN FLAVOR.

>> Jeff: KATHY, TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST BOOK GROUND COVER REVOLUTION?

>> SURE.

SO GROUND COVER REVOLUTION IS ABOUT REPLACING TURF GRASS WITH GROUND COVER CHOICES.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE A LOT OF US WANT TO BE MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND REDUCE OUR INPUTS INTO GROWING TURF GRASS, WATER OR USING GASOLINE IN THE MOWER WITHS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

OR WE WANT LOWER MAINTENANCE AS PEOPLE ARE AGING IN PLACE THEY WOULD RATHER BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE THAN MOWING ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK.

THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE THE LOOK OF GRASS LAWN, BUT WITHOUT THAT MAINTENANCE.

I GIVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT GROUND COVER CHOICES IN THE BOOK AND THERE'S CHARTS TO TELL YOU IS THIS GROUND COVER A SUN LOVER, IS IT DEER RESISTANCE, DOES IT TAKE A LOT OF WATER, DOES IT SPREAD FAST.

SO THAT'S BASICALLY THE CONTENT OF THE BOOK.

>> Jeff: SO YOU'RE ENVISIONING SOMEBODY'S FRONT LAWN NOT A BLADE OF REGULAR TURF GRASS AND MORE VINEY STUFF?

>> NOT NECESSARILY VINEY.

IT COULD BE A TYPE OF SING WHICH LOOKS LIKE TURF GRASS BUT IS A NO MOW VARIETY.

COULD BE LIKE A CARPET OF SUCCULENTS THAT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING BY IN A CAR LOOKS LIKE A SWATH OF GREEN, RIGHT?

BUT IF YOU WERE TO TOUCH IT YOU WOULD SAY THIS IS NOT TURF GRASS.

AND YOU PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PLAY SOCCER ON IT OR RUN AROUND ON IT.

IF YOU ARE ONLY ON YOUR LAWN TO MOW IT IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE TURF GRASS IN THAT CASE.

>> Jeff: I HAVE AN ESTABLISHED LONGSTANDING TURF GRASS LAWN THAT, PRETTY MUCH EXISTS SO I COULD MOW IT.

BUT THE THOUGHT OF DOING SOMETHING DRAMATIC IT WILL BE A LOT OF WORK AND I CAN GUARANTEE I WILL GET A LETTER FROM MY HOA?

>> IN THE BOOK, I TALK ABOUT WAYS TO BRING THIS TO YOUR HOA AND TALK ABOUT HOW IT MIGHT LOOK.

THERE IS A LOT OF INSPIRATIONAL PHOTOS TO SHOW YOU.

AND I'M ALWAYS ONE TO SAY GO SLOW.

THE TRANSITION COULD BE JUST PULLING ONE OF YOUR CURRENT BEDS OUT A FOOT OR TWO EACH YEAR OR ESTABLISHING A NEW BED ALONG THE CURVE AND CUTTING BACK THE LAWN A FEW FEET EVENTUALLY WILL GIVE YOU A SWATH OF GROUND COVERS AND MAYBE YOU KEEP A CIRCLE OF LAWN IN THE MIDDLE TO KEEP YOUR HOA HAPPY AND YOUR PETS AND GRANDKIDS TO PLAY ON.

BUT IT DOESN'T ALL NEED TO BE TURF GRASS.

>> Jeff: THIS IS FROM FRANK, IS THE SPOTTED LANTERN FLY STILL A GARDEN PEST THAT WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT?

>> YES, UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE STILL IN ACTIVE AREA FOR THE SPOTTED LANTERN FLIVMENT I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY THIS WINTER BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A HARSH COLD WINTER MIGHT KNOCK IT BACK A LITTLE BIT BUT WE NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT, ESPECIALLY THOSE COUNTIES OF MARYLAND THAT ARE BORDERING PENNSYLVANIA WHICH IS ALSO AN ACTIVE AREA.

>> Jeff: I HAVE SOME PLANTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR A LONGTIME.

LOOKING A LITTLE ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES AFTER THE WINTER.

DO I DO ANYTHING OR JUST WAIT FOR THINGS TO START TO BLOOM?

>> YOU CAN WAIT FOR DEPENDING ON THE PLANT.

IF IT IS A SPRING BLOOMING SHRUB, YOUR ASAY YEAHS, DO NOT CUT THEM BACK NOW BECAUSE YOU ARE CUTTING BACK THE SPRING BLOOM.

YOU WAIT FOR THE BLOOM AND PRUNE THEM IF YOU WANTED TO.

SAME WITH LILACS, THAT SORT OF THING.

BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT BLOOMS IN THE FALL OR LATER, YOU COULD DO PRUNING NOW IF YOU SEE ANYTHING THAT'S AGAIN, DEAD OR DISEASED OR DYING, THAT CAN BE PRUNED AT ANY TIME.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE BOOKS OR I TELL YOU IT'S READY TO BE PRUNED.

>> Jeff: KATHY JENTZ HOST OF THE GARDEN PODCAST.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

>> Jeff: A NEW MENU FOR LANDLORD TENANT DISPUTES YOUR CREDIT REPORT.

WE SPOKE WITH ATTORNEY INGMAR GOLDSON.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH CREDIT REPORTS WHICH ARE SUPREMELY IMPORTANT THESE DAYS.

ARE THEY NOT?

>> YES, THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE.

YOUR WHOLE FINANCIAL LIFE WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET A RENTAL, THE LANDLORDS AND MANAGEMENT COMPANIES LOOK AT CREDIT REPORTS IF YOU WANT TO BUY A CAR, BUY A HOME.

AND GET A LOAN TO DO SO, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT THAT IS THE LEAST BEEN DAMAGING WITH CAUSE YOU A LOT OF TROUBLE.

>> Jeff: YOU WERE QUOTED IN THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" TALKING ABOUT A TREND WHERE LANDLORD TENANT DISPUTES ARE STARTING TO WINDUP AFFECTING PEOPLE'S CREDIT REPORTS.

DID THAT NOT HAPPEN PREVIOUSLY?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT NEW.

IT'S DEFINITELY NOT NEW IT IS A TREND I'M NOTICING THAT IT'S HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW.

BUT LANDLORDS HIRING DEBT COLLECTOR TO COLLECT THAT DEBT AND INCLUDING IT ON A PERSON'S CREDIT REPORT IS NOT NEW.

>> Jeff: IF SOMEBODY HAS A DISPUTE WITH A LANDLORD, SAY THEY -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DISPUTE COULD BE.

YOU COULD TELL US WHAT THAT WINDUP ON A CREDIT REPORT?

>> UM, IT CAN WINDUP ON A CREDIT REPORT.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I'M SEEING AT LEAST IN MARYLAND.

SO WHEN TENANTS HAVE A DISPUTE WITH THEIR LANDLORD, THERE'S TWO MAJOR DISPUTES.

ONE, THE APARTMENT OR RENTAL HOME BEING IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR AND THAT TENANT THEN HAVING TO RESORT TO GO TO THE COURTS FOR THE COURT TO INTERVENE AND OFTEN THE COURTS WILL OPEN UP AN ESCROW WHERE THE TENANT Mr. PAY MONEY INTO ESCROW.

THE COURT EVENTUALLY WILL TERMINATE THE CASE, AND DISPERSE THAT ESCROW MONEY AND AT TIMES THEY WILL ALLOW THE TENANT TO SEVERE THE LEASE.

SO WHAT I'M SEEING IS TENANTS WINNING THE ESCROW CASE AND THE JUDGE SAYING OKAY, THAT $4,000 IN ESCROW WILL GO TO THE TENANT.

AND IT IS NOT THE LANDLORD'S MONEY.

THE LANDLORD THEN WILL TYPICALLY WAIT UNTIL THAT TENANT MOVES OUT AND HIRE A DEBT COLLECTOR TO COLLECT THAT $4,000 THAT THE COURT JUST SAID THE TENANT DIDN'T OWE AND THAT'S THE TENANT'S MONEY AND THE DEBT COLLECTORS WILL TYPICALLY REPORT THAT DEBT ON CREDIT REPORTS THE THREE MAJOR AGENCIES AND MAYBE EVEN OTHER CREDIT REPORTS.

THERE ARE DOZENS OF THEM OUT THERE.

>> Jeff: SO IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT DEBT COLLECTORS ARE MORE INTERESTED IN MAYBE THEY HAVE TO, I DON'T KNOW, FILING INFORMATION WITH THE CREDIT BUREAUS THAN THE LANDLORDS ARE PARTICULARLY SMALL LANDLORDS.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I'M GLAD YOU SAID THAT ABOUT SMALL LANDLORDS.

I'M SEEING THIS MORE OFTEN WITH THE BIGGER LANDLORDS LIKE THE CORPORATE LANDLORDS.

I'M NOT SEEING AS MUCH WITH THE SMALL LANDLORDS.

BUT, YES, THE LANDLORDS WILL HIRE THE DEBT COLLECTORS TO COLLECT THE DEBT AND TO OFTEN THEY KNOW THAT THE DEBT COLLECTOR IS GOING TO REPORT THAT INFORMATION ON THE TENANT'S CREDIT REPORT.

AND THEY KNOW HOW DAMAGING THAT CAN BE.

TENANTS OFTEN HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE GETTING ANOTHER APARTMENT OR HOME IF THAT INFORMATION THAT THAT NEGATIVE INFORMATION IS ON THE CREDIT REPORT.

>> Jeff: AND THE TROUBLE IN THE DEBT COLLECTION WORLD IS YOU ARE SORT OF PRESUMED GUILTY AND HAVE TO PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE LATER, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

DEBT COLLECTORS WILL REPORT THAT DEBT USING ONLY THE WORD OF THE LANDLORD.

I HAVE ADMISSIONS FROM DEBT COLLECTORS ON DEPOSITIONS SAYING HEY IF THE LANDLORD OR THEIR CLIENT SAYS IT'S OWED AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED IT'S OWED.

THEY DON'T CARE WHAT SORT OF EVIDENCE THE TENANT OR THE CONSUMER GIVES THEM THAT THAT MAY PROVE DEFINITIVELY THAT THE MONEY IS NOT OWED INCLUDING A COURT ORDER SAYING THE MONEY IS NOT OWED.

>> Jeff: WHAT DO YOU DO AT THAT POINT?

WHAT IS THE FORMER TENANT DUE TO THE EXCEPTED YOU CAN HELP SOMEBODY WHO WOULD YOU DO?

>> SO, IT'S IMPORTANT TO DISPUTE THE DEBT WITH THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES.

TENANTS CAN DO THIS BY THEMSELVES OR HIRE A CONSUMER PROTECTION ATTORNEY TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SO YOU DISPUTE THE DEBT.

YOU CAN DISPUTE THE DEBT ON-LINE OR WITH A PHONE CALL EVEN BUT I RECOMMEND THAT YOU WRITE A LETTER AND SEND IT TO THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES THAT WAY YOU HAVE A COPY OF THE LETTER AND PROOF THAT YOU SENT THIS DISPUTE.

WRITE A LETTER AND SEND IT CERTIFIED MAIL SO YOU HAVE THAT PROOF AND THAT EVIDENCE.

YOU NEED THE PROOF AND EVIDENCE BECAUSE IN MY EXPERIENCE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THOSE DEBT COLLECTORS DO NOT DO AN INVESTIGATION LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO ACCORDING TO FEDERAL AND STATE LAW.

TO DETERMINE WHETHER THAT MONEY IS ACTUALLY OWED.

THEY WON'T DO THE INVESTIGATION THEY WILL KEEP REPORTING IT AND AT THAT POINT YOU NEED TO HIRE A LAWYER AND FILE A LAWSUIT.

I ALSO HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIRING A LAWYER.

I'VE SEEN TOO MANY OF THESE CASES GET DISMISSED WITH PRO SE LITIGANTS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THEIR WAY AROUND THE LAW.

>> Jeff: AT THAT POINT SOMEBODY HAS TWO PROBLEMS; THEY HAVE THE DEBT COLLECTOR IS COMING AFTER THEM FOR A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

AND THEN THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES ARE DINGING SOMEBODY'S CREDIT SCORE WHICH IS GOING TO MESS UP THEIR LIFE IN ALL SORTS OF WAYS.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE CERTIFIED LETTER TO THE DEBT COLLECTOR WHAT, DO YOU DO IN TERMS OF DISPUTE TO GO WITH THE CREDIT AGENCY?

>> SO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS SEND THE LETTER TO THE CREDIT AGENCYINGS THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY.

SO YOU CAN SEND IT TO THE DEBT COLLECTOR AND YOU CAN ALSO SEND IT TO THE LANDLORD OR THE CREDITOR BUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO WHAT I CALL TRIGGER LIABILITY SO YOU CAN FINALLY FILE THAT LAWSUIT TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED YOU HAVE TO SEND IT TO THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY.

AND BY LAW, THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY HAS TO SEND THAT LETTER TO THE WHAT WE CALL THE FURNISHER AND IN THIS CASE IT'S THE DEBT COLLECTOR THAT THE LANDLORD HIRED.

YOU SEND IT TO THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY, AND THAT ALSO SENDS IT TO THE DEBT COLLECTOR.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU SAY TRIGGER LIABILITY DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE FORMER TENANT, THE AGRIEVED PARTY HERE MIGHT HAVE SOME LEGAL RECOURSE?

>> YES.

, YES.

>> AND I MEAN NOT JUST TO GET RID OF THE BAD INFORMATION BUT MAYBE TO PURSUE A CLAIM THEY ACTED IN BAD FAITH?

>> YES.

YES.

SO THE CLAIM WOULD BE UNDER THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT AND TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU PRESERVE YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THAT LAW YOU NEED TO SEND THE DISPUTE LETTER TO THE DEBT COLLECTOR.

AND ONCE YOU SEND THE DISPUTE LETTER AND YOU ALLOW THE DEBT COLLECTOR 30-45 DAYS TO DO THEIR INVESTIGATION, AND YOU SEE WHAT THE RESULTS OF THAT INVESTIGATION ARE DEPENDING WHAT THE RESULTS ARE YOU MAYBE ABLE TO FILE A LAWSUIT TO FINALLY GET THE ISSUE FIXED.

>> Jeff: BROADLY SPEAKING, IN THE VARIETY OF CONSUMERS ISSUES YOU DEAL WITH HOW CAN CONSUMERS BETTER PROTECT THEMSELVES?

IN OTHER WORDS WHAT MISTAKES DO PEOPLE MAKE?

>> SO ALL RIGHT THERE ARE THREE MAJOR CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES.

EXPERIAN, EQUIFAX AND TRANS UNION THERE ARE DOZENS OF OTHER REPORTING AGENCIES.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THEM.

IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP UP WITH THE THREE MAJOR ONES.

YOU CAN PULL FREE CREDIT REPORTS RIGHT NOW YOU CAN PULL THEM EVERY WEEK FROM ANNUAL CREDIT REPORT.COM.

LOOK AT YOUR CREDIT REPORTS AND MAKE SURE THERE'S NO MISLEADING OR JUST INCORRECT INFORMATION ON THERE AND THAT INCLUDES YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.

LIKE WHERE YOU'VE LIVED AND WHERE YOU'VE WORKED.

KEEP UP WITH YOUR CREDIT REPORTS.

IF AT ANY POINT YOU ARE DENIED CREDIT OR YOU ARE OFFERED LESS THAN IDEAL TERMS ON A CREDIT APPLICATION OR DENIED HOUSING, MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THAT ADVERSE ACTION LETTER THAT EXPLAINS WHY YOU WERE DENIED.

AND IT ALSO BY LAW HAS TO STATE WHICH CREDIT REPORT THEY LOOKED AT IF THEY LOOKED AT A CREDIT REPORT.

THAT'S ONE WAY YOU CAN SEE WHETHER THERE'S SOME DAMAGING INFORMATION OUT THERE THAT MAY NOT BE TRUE.

SO KEEP UP WITH YOUR CREDIT REPORTS.

AND GET THOSE CREDIT REPORTS FOR FREE.

DON'T PAY FOR CREDIT REPORTS.

THAT'S YOUR OWN INFORMATION THAT IS YOUR INFORMATION, DON'T PAY EXPERRIAN OR TRANS UNION FOR ACCESS TO YOUR OWN INFORMATION.

>> Jeff: THAT IS A BIT OF ITS OWN SCAM?

PEOPLE CHARGING FOR FREE CREDIT REPORTS.

>> YES.

YOU COULD SAY THAT.

AND ALONG THOSE LINES, THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY MAY OFFER YOU.

AND THEY MAY OFFER IT TO YOU FOR FREE AND BE CAREFUL.

I ADVISE MY CLIENTS NOT TO SIGN UP FOR ANY OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

LIKE FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S EXPERRIAN BOOST WHERE SIGN UP FOR THIS PROGRAM AND THERE ARE OTHERS SIGN UP FOR THIS PROGRAM AND WE'LL INCREASE YOUR CREDIT SCORE.

WHAT THEY ARE NOT TELLING YOU IS THAT TO SIGN UP FOR THAT PROGRAM, YOU HAVE TO ENTER AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM.

YOU PROBABLY JUST CLICK THROUGH THE AGREEMENT.

AND YOU'RE AGREEING TO A FORCED ARBITRATION CLAUSE.

WHERE ESSENTIALLY YOU ARE AGREEING NEVER TO SUE THEM IN COURT.

YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT YOUR POTENTIAL CLAIM AGAINST THEM IN ARBITRATION.

WHICH FOR A MULTITUDE OF REASONS IS VERY UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS.

YOU REALLY WANT THAT THREAT OF A JURY TRIAL WHEN YOU BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE FURNISHERS AND THE CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES.

THAT IS ANOTHER PIECE OF ADVICE DO NOT ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS GET YOUR CREDIT REPORT FOR FREE.

YOU CAN GET THEM FREE WEEKLY RIGHT NOW.

>> Jeff: WOULD YOU SAY IT'S GOOD ADVICE FOR SOMEBODY NOT INVOLVED IN ANY DISPUTE NEVER HEARD FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR IN THEIR LIFE TO LOOK AT THEIR CREDIT REPORT MAYBE WEEKLY IS NOT NECESSARY BUT AT LEAST ANNUALLY?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> ABSOLUTELY AT LEAST ANNUALLY.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE CREDIT REPORT YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS ON THERE.

IF YOU DON'T APPLY FOR NEW CREDIT AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THAT ADVERSE ACTION NOTICE YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW SOMETHING IS DEROGATORY ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT BUT THE PEOPLE WHO PULLED YOUR CREDIT WILL KNOW.

IT'S NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO YOU APPLY TO CREDIT FOR WHO CAN SEE YOUR CREDIT REPORT THERE ARE COMPANIES THAT PULL CREDIT FOR PROMOTIONAL REASONS, COMPANIES CREDIT CARD COMPANY ALSO PULL CREDIT TO SEE YOUR CREDIT PROFILE AFTER YOU'VE ALREADY GOT THAT CREDIT GOT THAT CARD.

YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT IS ON YOUR CREDIT REPORT.

>> Jeff: INGMAR GOLDSON IS A MARYLAND BASED CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWYER.

SIR, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ANYTIME.

THANKS.

>> Jeff: COMING UP WEDNESDAY ON MPT, A NEW DOCUMENTARY LOOKS AT COLLAPSE OF THE KEY BRIDGE NEARLY ONE YEAR AGO.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> THE KEY BRIDGE WAS A GATEWAY TO THE WORLD.

>> THAT BRIDGE WAS OUR CONNECTION.

>> THEN IT VANISHED IN SECONDS.

>> THE WHOLE BRIDGE COLLAPSED.

>> MEET THE FIRST-RESPONDERS.

>> WE WERE ALL HANDS ON DECK.

>> EXAMINE THE CHALLENGES.

>> IT IMPACTED THE UNITED STATES IN THE WORLD.

>> AND LEARN HOW OUR STATE MOVES FORWARD.

>> WE ARE MARYLAND TOUGH.

WE ARE BALTIMORE STRONG.

>> THE KEY BRIDGE DISASTER.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. ON MPT.

>> Jeff: AND AGAIN, THE PROGRAM AIRS WEDNESDAY EVENING 8:00 P.M. ON MPT.

AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. YOU CAN SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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