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.

This site provides consumer assistance and/or assistance in filing a complaint.

Electronic processing of checks is changing the way banks handle these transactions. Learn how these changes can affect how you handle your money.

What you need to know, or do if you have a complaint, about courtesy overdraft-protection, or bounce coverage plans.

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.

Things to know about buying, giving and using gift cards.

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.

This brochure prepared by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the federal bank, thrift, and credit union regulatory agencies, provides information and guidance to consumers to help them avoid overdrafts and make informed decisions regarding the purchase of courtesy overdraft-protection or bounce coverage plans.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency maintains a Web site www.Helpwithmybank.gov, a clearinghouse that provides consumers with answers to more than 250 frequently-asked questions (FAQs) on such financial topics as bank accounts, deposit insurance, credit cards, consumer loans, insurance, mortgages, identity theft, and safe deposit boxes.

An Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s consumer advisory provides important information that shoppers should have about the terms and conditions that apply to gift cards.  Information is available in English and Spanish.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Consumer Advisory, “Check 21”, describes the federal law that went into effect on Oct. 28, 2004.  Under this law, banks can create and send digital images of paper checks.  Instead of shipping the paper checks from bank to bank to complete the check clearing process, banks will be able to send the digital images electronically.
 

This Office of the Comptroller of the Currency consumer advisory warns consumers to watch for fraudulent cashier's check schemes and recommends actions they can take to protect themselves. The publication provides tips on what to do when confronted with a counterfeit check and is also available in Spanish.

This web page provides quick access to several resources to help homeowners, community stakeholders, and the banking industry help prevent unnecessary foreclosures and stop foreclosure “rescue” scams that promise false hope to consumers at risk of losing their homes. For Additional information call toll-free 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342); hearing impaired 1-800-925-4618.

The Money Smart Podcast Network (MSPN) is the portable audio (MP3) version of Money Smart and designed to accommodate financial learning for individuals “on the go.” With verbal descriptions and topic based scenarios, the Money Smart Podcast Network utilizes detailed dialogue to help individuals learn the basics of handling handling money, finances, and how to establish a positive relationship with a financial institution.  The segments are short and grouped into four general categories.  The MSPN files can be accessed online, or users without Internet access may order a free CD on line.

If you are saving for retirement at work, this publication will help you understand your plan and the federal law that governs your plan.  It explains what information you should review periodically and where to go for help with questions.
For Spanish ckick here.

Job termination or a reduction in hours can result in a loss of retirement and health benefits. However, employees and their families may have rights under Federal law that can help protect benefits when employment changes.  This publication provides information on the laws that protect your benefits when facing job loss and where you can go for further information. 
For Spanish article click here.

This special edition of the FDIC Consumer News is a guide for seniors and their families, topics include information pertaining entirely to seniors’ issues such as retirement strategies; how to avoid fraud; and annuity investing.  Readers will find practical suggestions and reliable information about how to maintain financial stability and independence during the retirement years.   The FDIC Consumer News can be accessed online or ordered online for free.