Credit & LoansCredit Reports & Scoring
Facts for Consumers
- Building a Better Credit Report
[PDF]
Learn how to legally improve your credit report, how to deal with debt, how to spot credit-related scams, and more.
- Credit and Divorce
[PDF]
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 Repair: How To Help Yourself [PDF]
[en español]
Cautions consumers about companies that charge hundreds, even thousands of dollars, but don't deliver on their claims. Truth is, no one can legally remove accurate negative information from a credit report. Explains how to legitimately improve your creditworthiness.
- Employment Background Checks and Credit Reports
[PDF]
Explains employer responsibilities and consumer rights when using information in credit reports to evaluate applications for employment, as well as employee retention, promotion or reassignment. Advises consumers to review their credit reports before applying for a job.
- The Federal Trade Commission Presents Focus on Finances: Preparing For Your Future
[PDF]
A newspaper supplement to help educate young people about credit, identity theft, and buying a car.
- File Segregation: New ID Is a Bad IDea
[PDF]
You're promised a chance to hide unfavorable credit information by establishing a new credit identity. The problem: "File segregation" is illegal. If you use it, you could face fines or even a prison sentence. 8.5"x11", 4 pages, color.
- Getting Credit When You’re Over 62
[PDF]
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.
- How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
[PDF]
[en español]
Explains how to dispute and correct inaccurate information in your credit report. Includes a sample dispute letter.
- Need Credit or Insurance? Your Credit Score Helps Determine What You’ll Pay
[PDF]
Explains the system creditors and insurance companies use to help determine whether to grant you credit or insurance, and on what terms.
- Prescreened Offers of Credit and Insurance
[PDF]
Many companies that solicit new credit card accounts and insurance policies use prescreening to identify potential customers for the products they offer. 8.5"x11", 4 pages, color.
- Statement of Rights for Identity Theft Victims [PDF] [en español]
- Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act [PDF] [en español]
- What's Behind Ads for a New Credit Identity? It Could Be ID Theft Involving Children's Social Security Numbers
[PDF]
Companies that advertise "new credit identities" may really be selling Social Security numbers stolen from children. Applying for credit using those numbers can involve people in a federal crime. 8.5"x11", 4 pages, color.
- Your Access to Free Credit Reports
[PDF]
[en español]
Learn how to order a free copy of your credit report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once every 12 months.
Consumer Alerts
- Want a Free Annual Credit Report? The Only Official Website is annualcreditreport.com
[PDF]
[en español]
To alert consumers that there is only one website providing free annual credit reports under Federal law: annualcreditreport.com, and to warn consumers about “imposter” sites.
- Credit Repair: How to DIY and Avoid a Scam [PDF] [en español]
Cautions consumers about companies that charge hundreds, even thousands of dollars, but don't deliver on their claims. The truth is, no one can legally remove accurate negative information from a credit report.
- Fake Credit Reports: Cashing in on Your Personal Information
[PDF]
[en español]
Learn how to protect yourself from a high-tech scam known as “phishing.” Some Web sites or unsolicited emails offering credit reports may be using bogus sites as a way to capture your personal information and sell it to others who may use it to commit fraud, including identity theft.
- Negative Credit Can Squeeze a Job Search [PDF]
- Shopping for a Mortgage? Your Application May Trigger Competing Offers
[PDF]
Explains how consumers applying for a mortgage may receive competing offers based on prescreening from information in their credit report. Explains how to opt out of prescreening, if you choose. 8.5"x 11", 2 pages.
Articles You can reprint these articles in your newsletter, magazine or website.
- Consumers Are Eligible For Free Credit Reports [PDF]
Learn how to get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies once every twelve months.
- Protect Yourself From Credit Repair Scams [PDF]
Warns consumers that no one can remove accurate negative information from your credit report. Offers tip-offs to rip-offs.
- Your Credit Score Helps Determine What You’ll Pay For Credit And Insurance [PDF]
Explains the system creditors and insurance companies use to help determine whether to grant you credit or insurance, and on what terms.
