Q: Is the merchandise sold in outlet stores is of lesser quality than items sold in regular retail stores, or if they are from a previous season?

A: We checked with the outlet stores for Saks Fifth Avenue and Gymboree for your answer. Both said there is no difference in quality or material. Saks said its outlet items are often left over from the previous season. But the quality is no different from the regular retail store. Gymboree said it remakes last year's collection for outlet stores. However, its outlets only carry basic sizes. The merchandise comes in discounted 25-percent, and often gets marked down from there.

Q: Do small TVs use less energy than big ones?

A: The Alliance to Save Energy gave us your answer. It says, all factors being equal, the smaller the TV the less energy it uses, However, keep in mind that plasma TVs consume more energy than others. Also, old TVs typically use up more energy than new ones of the same size. The Alliance to Save Energy recommends that you buy a TV with the Energy Star label on it. These TVs meet the US Department of Energy and the EPA's strict energy guidelines.

Q: How do you protect store receipts so they don't fade to the point of becoming illegible?

A: Target gave us the answer to your question. Target says many stores have switched to thermal paper and printers to speed up checkout. It says receipts now print twice as fast as they used to. Target says thermal paper receipts should last at least 90 days. But it says if you need a receipt to last longer, you should photocopy it.

Q: Do consumers have a right to know what's in their credit reports?

A: All our answers for this segment come from the Federal Trade Commission. The Fair Credit Reporting Act, the FCRA, says you have the right to know what's in your credit report, But you have to ask. But the FCRA says credit bureaus have to tell you everything that's in your report, Tell you about everyone who has requested your credit report in the past year. Or the past two years if the requests were related to employment. Plus you're entitled to a free copy of your credit report each year. We'll tell you how to do that at the end of this segment.

Q: Consumers want to know what type of information credit companies collect and sell?

A: Credit bureaus collect and sell four types of information, Identification and employment information, Payment history, Inquiries, that's all creditors who have asked for your credit history, and public record information, that means bankruptcies and foreclosures and tax liens.

Q: Consumers want to know what is a credit score and how does it affect credit?

A: A credit score is a system creditors use to determine whether to give you credit and how much to charge you for it. First, information about you is collected, Then a statistical formula is created which shows up as a score, That score shows how likely you are to repay loans, basically how credit-worthy you are. And you can get your credit score, but not for free. You have to pay for it.

You can get one free credit report each year from the three major credit bureaus. They're available at annualcreditreport.com. You can get there easily from our website, NBC4.com, click Consumer watch then consumer links. And beware credit report imitators that sound free but will charge you for your credit report.

In tough economic times, lots of businesses offer help with debt problems. Tonight Ask Liz is answering some credit scam questions.

Q: What are debt relief companies really selling?

A: All our answers tonight come from the Federal Trade Commission which says beware "debt relief" pitches because many of those companies are really selling bankruptcy. The advertising will promise "consolidate your bills, stop credit harassment, keep your property, and wipe out your debt. But bankruptcy has long-term negative impact on your credit worthiness, A bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10-years, Can hinder you in getting jobs, insurance, and even an apartment. What's more, it can cost you attorney's fees. The FTC says bankruptcy is a choice of last resort, but many of the debt-relief companies won't tell you that.

Q: Consumers are asking how loan companies can guarantee "you'll get the credit you want."?

A: Advance-fee scams target consumers with bad credit problems, usually with a credit card or personal loan. But these companies want up-front fees, sometimes several hundred dollars, And legitimate creditors never "guarantee" in advance. What's more, under federal Telemarketing Sales Rules, it's against the law to guarantee credit and take a fee before you receive the loan.

Q: What do credit repair companies do for you?

A: Most credit repair firms offer the same services. The say they can erase bad credit, legally create new credit identities, and remove bankruptcies and liens from your credit file forever. But by law credit repair companies cannot make false claims about services, Must give you a detailed description of the services they'll perform, And put in writing what they're "guaranteeing."

The FTC says don't believe credit repair claims. Only time, a conscientious effort and a plan for repaying debt will improve your credit report.