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Rotating images. Budgeting and Taxes Credit
  • Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud – Steps to make it more difficult for a crook to capture your card or card numbers, and how to report losses and fraud.
  • Billed for Merchandise You Never Received? – Explains your rights and steps to take to correct the problem. Includes a sample dispute letter.
  • Building a Better Credit Record – Learn how to legally improve your credit report, how to deal with debt, how to spot credit-related scams, and more.
  • Buying a New Car – Tips to help you make a smart deal. Explains commonly used industry terms, and a worksheet to help you negotiate on price.
  • Buying a Used Car – Explains your rights when buying from a dealer or a private party. Offers buying tips and resources if you have problems after the sale.
  • Car Ads: Reading Between the Lines – Many new car dealers advertise unusually low interest rates and other special promotions. Learn what questions to ask to get the best deal for you.
  • Choosing and Using Credit Cards – Explains credit card terms, how your balance is computed, and how to shop for the best deal. Outlines cardholder protections.
  • Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws
  • Cosigning a Loan – Lists your obligations if you decide to cosign on a loan for a friend or relative. At the top of the list: you may have to pay up to the full amount of the debt if the borrower does not pay.
  • Credit, ATM and Debit Cards: What To Do If They're Lost or Stolen – Outlines procedures for reporting loss or theft, and how to minimize your risk.
  • Credit and Divorce – Encourages recently divorced consumers, and those contemplating divorce, to look closely at issues involving credit. Understanding the different kinds of credit accounts opened during a marriage may help illuminate the potential benefits - and pitfalls - of each.
  • Credit and Debit Card Blocking – Blocking often occurs when you use a credit or debit card to check into a hotel or rent a car. The clerk usually contacts the company that issued your card to give an estimated total. If the transaction is approved, your available credit (credit card) or the balance in your bank account (debit card) is reduced by this amount. Learn why blocking may be a problem, and how to avoid it.

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  • Credit and Your Consumer Rights – Explains credit laws that protect your right to obtain, use, and maintain credit. Offers practical tips to help you solve credit problems.
  • Credit Card Loss Protection Offers – Since your liability for unauthorized charges is limited to $50, there's no need to buy loss protection insurance.
  • Credit Insurance: Is It For You? – Helps borrowers decide if credit insurance, which is usually optional, is right for them. Explains the four main types of credit insurance and offers shopping tips.
  • The Credit Practices Rule – The Rule prohibits many creditors from including certain provisions in consumer credit contracts. It also requires creditors to provide a written notice to consumers before they cosign obligations for others about their potential liability if the other person fails to pay.
  • Credit Repair: Self-Help May Be Best – Explains how you can improve your credit worthiness and lists legitimate resources for low or no-cost help.
  • Credit Scoring – Explains the system creditors use to help determine whether to grant you credit.
  • Easy Credit? Not So Fast. The Truth About Advance Fee-Loan Scams – Tells you how to spot a scam and avoid losing your money. Rule number one: Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say that you are likely to get a loan or a credit card before you apply, especially if you have bad credit, no credit, or a bankruptcy.
  • Equal Credit Opportunity – The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits the denial of credit because of your sex, race, marital status, religion, national origin, age, or because you receive public assistance.
  • Fair Credit Billing – The Fair Credit Billing Act establishes procedures for resolving billing errors on your credit card accounts. Includes sample dispute letter.
  • Fair Credit Reporting – The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to learn what information is being distributed about you by credit reporting agencies.
  • Fair Debt Collection – Answers commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. It prohibits debt collectors from using unfair or deceptive practices to collect overdue bills that your creditor has forwarded for collection.
  • Getting Credit: What You Need to Know About Your Credit – Provides tips on shopping for credit cards, using cards carefully, and keeping your credit record clean. Also explains credit reports and credit scores, how to protect your identity, improve your credit record, and what to do if you are a victim of identity theft. A good source of information for people learning about credit.
  • Getting Credit When You're Over 62 – Under the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, it's against the law for a creditor to deny you credit or terminate existing credit simply because of your age. Explains your rights and offers tips for applying for and maintaining credit.

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  • Gold and Platinum Cards – If you're looking for credit, be wary of some 'gold' or 'platinum' card offers promising to get you credit cards or improve your credit rating. Lists tip-offs to rip-offs.
  • Out of Work? How to Deal with Creditors – If you've recently lost your job, your first thoughts may be, "how will I make ends meet." The Federal Trade Commission spells out your rights when it comes to fair debt collection and credit reporting practices."
  • How to Dispute Credit Report Errors – Explains how to dispute and correct inaccurate information in your credit report. Includes a sample dispute letter.
  • How to File a Consumer Complaint about a Bank
  • Keys to Vehicle Leasing
  • Negative Credit Can Squeeze a Job Search – Bad credit can affect your ability to get more credit and to get or keep a job. Employers often use a credit report when they hire and evaluate employees for promotion, reassignment or retention. Explains your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
  • Payday Loans = Costly Cash – Explains how these loans work, but cautions that they come at a very high price. Lists alternatives.
  • Ready, Set... Credit – For consumers who are about to get their first credit card. Explains how to qualify for a card, get the best deal, and manage your account. Stresses the importance of a good credit history. Discusses federal consumer protections.
  • Understanding Vehicle Financing – Get the facts on dealership financing - what it is, how you apply, special financing offers, cash back and rebates you may be eligible for, and more.
  • Vehicle Repossession – If your payments are late or you default on your contract in any way, your creditor or lessor may have the right to repossess your car. Learn what repossession may mean to you.

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Financial Planning Home Ownership
  • Buying a Home
  • Cancellation of Private Mortgage Insurance: Federal Law May Save you Hundreds of Dollars Each Year – The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 establishes rules for automatic termination and borrower cancellation of Private Mortgage Insurance on home mortgages. Find out if you qualify.
  • High-Rate, High-Fee Loans (HOEPA/Section 32 Mortgages) – Explains The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, what loans are covered, what disclosures are required, and what practices are prohibited.
  • Home Equity Credit Lines – Lenders offer home equity credit lines in a variety of ways. The questions and answers listed may help you decide if a home equity line of credit is right for you.
  • Home Sweet Home Improvement – How to find a competent and reliable contractor. Discusses the different types of contractors you may work with, from General Contractors to Architects and offers tips for checking references. Explains payment options and the importance of a written contract.
  • Looking for the Best Mortgage? Shop, Compare, Negotiate. – Use these three steps to save money on a mortgage or home loan. Includes a mortgage shopping worksheet.
  • Mortgage Discrimination. – Explains your rights under Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), and what to do if your loan is rejected.
  • Mortgage Servicing: Making Sure Your Payments Count – Explains mortgage servicers' responsibilities, in particular under the RESPA enforced by HUD; urges consumers to keep records of their payments, insurance coverage, and other information; explains how consumers can file disputes with their loan servicer; and includes sample letters that consumers may use when filing a dispute with their lender/servicer or with a credit bureau.
  • Need a Loan? Think Twice About Using Your Home As Collateral – Includes terms, tips, a checklist, and information to help you find a plan that meet your needs, and protect your interests.
  • Putting Your Home on the Loan Line is Risky Business – Alerts consumers to potential borrowing pitfalls and provides tips for getting the best financing deal possible. Warns consumers that regardless of whether a home equity loan is for home repair, bill consolidation, or some other purpose, it's important to shop around.
  • Reverse Mortgages – Explains how these loans can help older homeowners who are "house-rich but cash-poor" remain in their homes and still meet their financial obligations.
  • Utility Credit – Summarizes consumers' credit rights when securing utility services.
    Home Equity

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    Mortgages Privacy, Fraud, and Scams     ID Theft

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Responding To Life Events Retirement Planning

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Saving & Investing

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Starting a Small Business

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Spanish Pages (Páginas en español)

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Financial Literacy & Education Commission Member Agencies

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