A 24-page cooperative publication of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and the Federal Citizen Information Center, U.S. General Services Administration. The publication discusses “red flags,” taken from a CFP Board survey of situations where a consumer had been taken advantage of by a financial advisor. Each of these red flags: 1. Identifies a common situation where consumers may be victimized. 2. Describes the warning signs of fraud or abuse. Shares real-life situations in which consumers were abused. 4. Shows what consumers can do to protect themselves.

It’s that time of year -- the time to ring out the old and ring in the new, to ditch bad habits and replace them with good ones. The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy can’t guarantee you’ll lose weight, or become a better human being, but we can give you some suggestions to help you whip your finances into shape.

A big concern today is identity theft or "ID theft," which occurs when an individual learns someone's Social Security number (SSN), bank account information or other details that can be used to go on a buying or borrowing binge. While law enforcement agencies, financial industry regulators, financial institutions and other organizations are working together to prevent ID theft and other financial crimes, consumers need to take precautions.

Explains ways to protect your account from scam artists and tells you who to contact if you notice a problem with your checking account.

The Bureau of the Public Debt and the U.S.Treasury are aware of several fraudulent schemes or scams that involve what are claimed to be securities issued or backed by the Treasury Department or another part of the United States Government. These scams have been directed at banks, charities, companies, and even individuals, by individuals or organizations seeking payment on the fraudulent securities. These pages will alert you to these scams and help you protect yourself.

Publishers of the free Consumer Information Catalog, FCIC's Pueblo.gsa.gov website allows users to order from the hundreds of publications in the Catalog on topics such as credit, saving for retirement, investing and more.  In addition, users can access additional information on a wide range of topics, such as the latest scams, updates of consumer news from federal agencies, and more.

Offers tips on topics such as buying and leasing cars, protecting against fraud, and shopping from home. It also includes a sample complaint form that consumers can use as a guide for their own letter, fax, or e-mail. 

A comprehensive financial education curriculum to teach those ages 12-20 the basics of handling their money and finances, including how to create positive relationships with financial institutions.  Money Smart for Young Adults can help young people in their formative years start positive habits early such as saving money and budgeting, as well as avoid making "wrong" decisions that could result in years of financial pain.  The curriculum is available free of charge; orders can be placed online.   For additional information call toll-free 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342); hearing impaired 1-800-4618.

Tips on money management which includes, saving, spending, borrowing, protecting yourself from fraud and scams, and the benefits of keeping your money in a financial institution.

Information and tips to help you if you are thinking about or already using online banking systems.

Understand financial privacy and how to protect yourself.

FDIC Consumer News provides practical guidance on how to become a smarter, safer user of financial services. This Winter 2008/2009 Special Edition includes tips that focus on helping you spend less, save more, protect yourself again fraud, and borrow wisely.

Here's a brochure that provides guidance on how to stop electronic identity theft.

This site provides a link to a brochure that gives members guidance to protect themselves online.

Federal and state securities laws require brokers, investment advisers, and their firms to be licensed or registered, and to make important information public. That’s why smart investors always check out the background of anyone promoting an investment opportunity. The information is easy to get, and one phone call or web search may save you from sending your money to a con artist, a bad financial professional or disreputable firm. 

Ask questions – that’s the best advice the SEC can give you about how to invest wisely.  In the SEC’s “Ask Questions” brochure, you’ll find some questions that you should ask about investment products, the people who sell those products, and the people who provide investment advice to you.  It also includes some helpful tips on how to monitor your investments and handle any problems.

This brochure is designed to help bank and thrift customers recognize and avoid the scam commonly known as "phishing," which involves attempts to improperly gain access to personal financial information such as account numbers and passwords using e-mail and the Internet.

Information on how to fight identity theft.

OTS brochure that describes how OTS handles consumer complaints about savings associations.

Common types of foreclosure rescue scams, how they work, and what you can do if you are facing foreclosure.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Consumer Advisory provides advice to help prevent borrowers from becoming victims of mortgage modification and foreclosure rescue scams.  It outlines what people should watch out for to avoid mortgage modification and foreclosure rescue scams.  The advisory provides a list of resources people can use to find qualified sources for help and is also published in Spanish.

In this type of Internet piracy, thieves use phony e-mails and web sites to extract personal financial information, including account numbers and passwords, from unwary consumers.  The good news is that consumers have the power to stop them. Read this brochure, prepared by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the federal bank, thrift and credit union regulatory agencies, to find out how.