FDIC Consumer News provides practical guidance on how to become a smarter, safer user of financial services. Each issue offers helpful hints, quick tips, and common-sense strategies to protect and stretch your hard-earned dollars.

Summer 2004
Checks and Balances: New Rules, New Strategies for Bank Customers in the 21st Century Kicking the Tires on an Auto Loan: Don't Kick Yourself for Paying Too Much New Tax-Advantaged Savings Account for Medical Costs Summer 2004 - PDF 808k (PDF Help)

Spring 2004
ATMs and You: Tips on Self-Service Banking Test Your Deposit Insurance IQ New FDIC Publications Explaining Deposit Insurance News Briefs Wanted: Your Questions About Bank Mergers

Winter 2003/2004
Estate Planning: Protecting Your "Family Fortune" Through FDIC-Insured Bank Accounts New Insurance Rules for Living Trusts When Internet Scam Artists Go "Phishing," Don't Take the Bait New Proof of Identity Required When Opening Accounts Beware of Bogus Debt Elimination Scams Fraudulent Ads Use Official Bank Logos A Final Exam

Fall 2003 Special 10th Anniversary Edition
Tips You Can Bank On: An FDIC Guide to Being a Smarter, Safer Financial Consumer You and Your Bank Deposits and Deposit Insurance Loans and Credit Cards Fighting Fraud Family Matters

Summer 2003
Credit Protection: What to Consider Before You Buy Minimum Payments, Maximum Costs on Credit Cards If Your FDIC-Insured Bank Fails: What Really Happens A Final Exam

Spring 2003 Special Report on Fraud
Fighting Financial Fraud: How to Shield Yourself from Swindles Common Cons... and How to Avoid Them Ten Simple Things You Can Do to Fight Fraud Paying Extra for ID Theft Protection? Consider Costs vs. Benefits Who to Call to Report a Financial Crime Federal Laws Protecting You Against Fraud Does the FDIC Cover Losses Due to Fraud? A Final Exam on Financial Fraud For More Information About Fighting Fraud

Winter 2002/2003 Special Report on Credit Reports and Credit Scores
Your Credit Record: A Report Card on Your Personal Finances Credit History 101: The ABCs of Credit Reports and Credit Scores Simple Mistakes That Can Lower Your Credit Score...and Cost You Money Don't Fall for Credit-Related Scams Monitoring Your Credit Report to Help Guard Against ID Theft Bad Checks: Bad News for Your Record Federal Laws Protecting You and Your Credit Files Call the Credit Bureaus to Limit Unsolicited Offers A Final Exam on Credit Reports

Fall 2002
Playing Your Cards Right: Smart Ways To Use Credit and Debit Cards Problems With Plastic: Our Tips for Tackling Your Top Five Concerns A Reader's Guide to Credit Card Mailings (and the Fine Print) Fighting Card Fraud: Simple Ways to Protect Yourself Setting the Record Straight: Basic Facts About FDIC Insurance Your Bank Records: What to Keep, What to Toss... and When

Summer 2002
High-Cost "Predatory" Home Loans: How to Avoid the Traps Privacy Mailings Arriving Again: Toss At Your Own Risk Fraud Alert! Bogus “Bonus” Checks, Fake Cashier’s Checks and Miscellaneous Mischief to Avoid Brokers, Deposits and Failed Banks: Why the FDIC Check Isn't In the Mail (Yet) Shifting from Stocks to Deposits? Consider Your FDIC Insurance Did You Know?...Co-Signing a Loan Can Be Costly A Final Exam: Test Your Financial IQ

Spring 2002
Long-Distance Banking: A Guide to Your Rights and Risks Saving for Retirement: A Job You Should Take Seriously Solving Mysteries About Old Bank Accounts and Safe Deposit Boxes There's No Such Thing As a Free-Lunch Loan Do You Have Questions About Credit Cards or Debit Cards?

Winter 2001/2002
Weathering a Financial Storm If It Sounds Too Good to Be True... Have You Reviewed Your Insurance Coverage Yet? New Brochure Explains Your Rights to Privacy Tips for Hanging Up On Fraudulent Calls Now on Sale: Patriot Bonds

Fall 2001 Special Report: Are You Sure You're Fully Insured?
Lessons from Losses: What You Can Learn from Recent Bank Failures Six Ways to Protect Yourself With FDIC Insurance If a Bank Fails: Answers to Common Questions About an Uncommon Event Deposit Insurance 101: A Final Exam

Summer 2001
Shopping and Paying From Home Over the Internet... Do Your Homework First Now Arriving By E-Mail... Money Before You Aggregate... Investigate! The Latest on Your New Rights to Privacy... Our Answers to Your Questions New Tax Law Enhances Savings Programs for Retirement, Education

Spring 2001
One-Stop Shopping for Financial Services: A Window of Opportunity for the Informed Consumer Credit Card Fees Often Go Unnoticed Even As They Increase News Briefs Congress Acts to Stop Deposit Brokers from Claiming FDIC Endorsement

Winter 2000/2001
New Rights to Privacy: You Now Hold the Key to How Much Information Financial Institutions Can Share Accounts You Manage for Others Don't Limit Your Insurance Coverage There Are Special Rules for Deposit Insurance When Banks Merge IRS Tax Refunds Are Safer By Direct Deposit News Briefs

Fall 2000
Should You Buy a Bank CD from a Broker? Ask Questions Before Paying for Credit Card Insurance Banks' Limited Authority to Open, Close and Access Accounts A Bank By Any Other Name May Still Be the Same Bank Wanted: Parental Advice for Teaching Teens About Spending and Borrowing Responsibly

Summer 2000
When a Criminal's Cover Is Your Identity New Rules to Help Protect Your Financial Privacy Test Your Financial Savvy Fewer Credit Cards Offer a "Full" Grace Period Direct Deposit Is Safer Than Checks in the Mail

Spring 2000
Paper or Plastic? A guide to using cash, checks, credit cards or debit cards The Top 10 Mistakes That Cost Depositors Money When a Bank Fails... and How to Avoid Them Is My Bank Healthy? A New You for the New Millennium It's the Year 2000. Now What?

Fall 1999
Y2K: Federally Insured Institutions Are Prepared Your Y2K Questions... And Our Answers Reliable Sources on Y2K For More Help and Information Regarding Y2K A Year 2000 "To-Do" List Your Credit Card: Why and How to Focus on the Fine Print FDIC Web Site Now Easier to Use Special Delivery: Our Consumer News Now Arrives by E-Mail New Law "Modernizes" the Financial Services Industry

Summer 1999
How the FDIC Helps Consumers with Banking Questions and Problems…and How Consumers Can Help Themselves Take Our Year 2000 Quiz for Bank Customers Suggestions for Getting Your Best Deal on a Home Loan Reminder About New Right to Cancel Mortgage Insurance How to Improve Your Credit Score and Your Chances of Getting a Good Loan Wanted: Your Crime Stories

June 1999: The Year 2000, Your Bank and You -- A New Special Report
(Issue no longer available)
What Regulators Are Doing to Get Banks Ready Beware of Y2K Scams What to Consider Before Withdrawing Extra Money for the Year 2000 Direct Deposits, Payments Expected to Go Smoothly A Year 2000 Checklist for Consumers FDIC Resources on Deposit Insurance A List of Government Resources for Y2K Help and Information

Spring 1999
FDIC Deposit Insurance Coverage Now Simpler for Consumers Interactive Internet Site Analyzes Your Insurance Coverage Test Your Deposit Insurance IQ What to Consider Before Withdrawing Extra Money for the Year 2000 Beware of Y2K Scams Direct Deposits, Payments Expected to Go Smoothly in the Year 2000

Fall 1998: Special Report on the Year 2000, Your Bank and You
Questions and Answers on the Year 2000 Problem FDIC Chairman Tanoue: "Insured Deposits Fully Protected" What Regulators Are Doing to Get Banks Ready A Bank Customer's Y2K "To-Do" List The Year 2000 and Your Insured Deposits A List of Government Resources for Y2K Help and Information

Summer 1998
Ways to Get Attractive Rates, Low Fees, Solid Service The Year 2000 Date Change If Your Bank Is Merging Fighting Fraud on the Internet Deposit Insurance Update Treasury’s Decision on Electronic Benefit Payments

Spring 1998
Protect Against Fraud and Theft Deposit Insurance Simplified New IRAs, New Insurance Determinations Ways to Minimize ATM Fees

Winter 1997/1998
Teaching Kids the Financial Facts of Life Deposit Insurance for Retirement Savings Stopping Unwanted Sales Calls and Mail Beware of “Deals’ Requiring Money Up-Front

Fall 1997
Protecting Yourself if Your Wallet Is Lost or Stolen Basic Points About Deposit Insurance for Individual Accounts Safe Banking and Shopping Over the Internet Writing Yourself a Loan? Be Cautious

Summer 1997
A Survival Guide for Helping Ill or Elderly Loved Ones Manage Their Money New Tax Cuts for Savers, Home Owners Test Your Deposit Insurance IQ

Spring 1997
Retirement Planning The Key to Using Safe Deposit Boxes

Winter 1996/1997
Costly Mistakes to Avoid with Credit Cards Protecting Against Fraud from Abroad

Fall 1996
A Guide to Finding Lost or Forgotten Bank Accounts and Other Valuables Money Tips for Small Businesses New Protections for Credit Records Countering Confusion Over Investment Sales by Banks and Thrifts
(510 Kb PDF File - PDF help or hard copy)