Credit & LoansIn Debt?
Facts for Consumers
- Before You File for Personal Bankruptcy: Information About Credit Counseling and Debtor Education
[PDF]
Advises consumers about the new bankruptcy law requiring credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy and debtor education after filing.
- Credit and Your Consumer Rights
[PDF]
[en español]
Explains credit laws that protect your right to obtain, use, and maintain credit. Offers practical tips to help you solve credit problems.
- 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.
- Creditors Seeking Federal Benefits in Your Bank Account? Understanding Your Rights [PDF]
Explains what you need to know about garnishment of federal benefits from your bank account.
- Debt Collection Arbitration: The Who, What, Why and How [PDF]
Explains how debt collection arbitration works and what your rights are.
- Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers [PDF]
[en español]
Answers commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which requires that debt collectors treat you fairly and prohibits certain methods of debt collection.
- Fair Credit Billing
[PDF]
[en español]
The Fair Credit Billing Act establishes procedures for resolving billing errors on your credit card accounts. Includes sample dispute letter.
- Fiscal Fitness: Choosing a Credit Counselor
[PDF]
[en español]
Defines debt repayment plans, explains the differences between secured and unsecured debt, and offers questions to ask credit counseling agencies if you consider using their services.
- Foreclosure Rescue Scams: Another Potential Stress for Homeowners in Distress [PDF][en español]
Explains how various foreclosure rescue scams work, and where consumers can find legitimate help.
- For People on Debt Management Plans: A Must-Do List
[PDF]
Lists must-dos for anyone with a Debt Management Plan, and the steps to take if the credit counselor handling your DMP has gone out of business. Also offers a list of questions to ask when choosing a credit counselor.
- Gold and Platinum Cards
[PDF]
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.
- Knee Deep in Debt
[PDF]
[en español]
If you or someone you know is in financial hot water, consider these options: realistic budgeting, credit counseling from a reputable organization, debt consolidation, or bankruptcy. Tips on getting back in the black.
- Mortgage Payments Sending You Reeling? Here’s What to Do
[PDF]
[en español]
For consumers who may be having trouble paying their mortgage. Explains options to help save their homes, and how to recognize and avoid foreclosure scams. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Secured Credit Card Marketing Scams
[PDF]
A secured card requires you to open and maintain a savings account as security for your line of credit; an unsecured card does not. Describes common advertising and marketing scams for secured credit cards.
- Settling Your Credit Card Debts [PDF]
[en español]
Lists options for help in managing your debt, including dealing with your creditors directly, contacting a credit counselor, and considering bankruptcy. What to watch out for from companies that promise to settle your debt.
- Vehicle Repossession: Understanding the Rules of the Road
[PDF]
[en español]
Discusses your creditor's rights in seizing and reselling your car for nonpayment, and explains deficiency - the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your creditor gets for reselling your car. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- 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.
Consumer Alerts
- Ads for Auto Loan Modifications: You May Be Able to Drive a Better Deal with Your Lender
[PDF]
[en español]
Cautions consumers about auto loan modification companies that claim they can reduce your monthly car loan or lease payment to help you avoid repossession.
- Advertisements Promising Debt Relief May Be Offering Bankruptcy
[PDF]
[en español]Urges consumers to use caution when reading ads pitching debt relief. Lists what to look out for, and offers tips if you’re having trouble paying your bills.
- Before You File for Personal Bankruptcy: Information About Credit Counseling and Debtor Education
[PDF]
Advises consumers about the new bankruptcy law requiring credit counseling before filing for bankruptcy and debtor education after filing.
- Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Scams
[PDF]
[en español]
Cautions consumers about credit card interest rate reduction robocalls, and warns that many are scams. Offers tips for spotting the scam and resources for dealing with debt.
- 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.
- Forensic Mortgage Loan Audit Scams: A New Twist on Foreclosure Rescue Fraud
[PDF] [en español]
Cautions homeowners about bogus pitches that claim an audit report can help you avoid foreclosure. Offers tips for spotting the scam and resources for finding legitimate help.
- Fraudulent Online Payday Lenders: Tapping Your Bank Account Again and Again [PDF] [en español]
Cautions consumers about the perils of online payday loans. Offers tips for shopping for credit.
- Negative Credit Can Squeeze a Job Search [PDF]
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 Equal Very Costly Cash: Consumers Urged to Consider the Alternatives
[PDF]
[en español]
Explains how these loans work, but cautions that they come at a very high price. Lists alternatives.
- Paying the Debts of a Deceased Relative: Who Is Responsible?
[PDF]
Explains what the law has to say about who has responsibility for a dead relative’s debts.
- Out of Work? How to Deal with Creditors
[PDF]
[en español]
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.
- Owe Back Taxes? Tax Relief Companies Can Result in More Pain than Gain [PDF]
Cautions consumers about tax relief companies that claim they can reduce or even eliminate your tax debts and stop back-tax collection by applying for IRS hardship programs. Lists federal and state resources for legitimate tax help programs.
- Time-Barred Debts: Understanding Your Rights When It Comes to Old Debts [PDF] [en español]
Explains your rights if a debt collector contacts you about an old debt. 8.5" x 11", 3 pages.
- Who's Calling? That Debt Collector Could Be a Fake [PDF] [en español]
Offers tell-tale signs that a debt collector may be a fake, and what to if you get calls from people trying to collect a debt. 8.5" x 11", 2 pages.
Promotional Items
- Debt Collection Bookmark
[PDF]
Consumers have rights when dealing with debt collectors. This bookmark provides information on some of those rights according to federal law. 8.5"x2.5", 2 sided, color.
Money Matters Bookmark [PDF]A bookmark promoting the FTC website – ftc.gov/MoneyMatters – where consumers can find short, practical tips, videos, and other resources to help them weather tough economic times. 2.5"x 8.5", 2 pages, color.
Articles You can reprint these articles in your newsletter, magazine or website.
- Avoiding Tax Relief Scams
[PDF]
Cautions consumers about tax relief companies that claim they can reduce or even eliminate your tax debts and stop back-tax collection by applying for IRS hardship programs. Lists federal resources for legitimate tax help programs.
- Dealing With Debt Collectors [PDF]
Explains the rules debt collectors must obey when trying to collect on personal, family, and household debts.
- 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.
- Recognizing Foreclosure Rescue Scams [PDF]
Explains how various foreclosure rescue scams work, and where consumers can find legitimate help.
- Settling Your Credit Card Debts [PDF]
[en español]
Lists options for help in managing your debt, including dealing with your creditors directly and contacting a credit counselor. What to watch out for from companies that promise to settle your debt.
