CREDIT CARDS & CREDIT

A Consumer's Guide to E-Payments - [PDF version]
Describes online payment technologies and how to make your transactions as secure as possible.

Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud - [PDF version]
Steps to make it more difficult for a crook to capture your card or card numbers, and how to report losses and fraud.

Billed for Merchandise You Never Received? - [PDF version]
Explains your rights and steps to take to correct the problem. Includes a sample dispute letter.

Check 21: Substitute Checks, Electronic Processing and What It Means to You - [PDF version]
By law, your paper checks can be replaced with copies called "substitute checks" or other electronic items.

Choosing and Using Credit Cards - [PDF version]
Explains credit card terms, how your balance is computed, and how to shop for the best deal. Outlines cardholder protections.

Cosigning a Loan - [PDF version]
Lists your obligations if you decide to cosign on a loan for a friend or relative. At the top of the list: you may have to pay up to the full amount of the debt if the borrower does not pay.

Credit, ATM and Debit Cards: What To Do If They?re Lost or Stolen - [PDF version]
Outlines procedures for reporting loss or theft, and how to minimize your risk.

Credit and Divorce - [PDF version]
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 and Debit Card Blocking - [PDF version]
Blocking often occurs when you use a credit or debit card to check into a hotel or rent a car. The clerk usually contacts the company that issued your card to give an estimated total. If the transaction is approved, your available credit (credit card) or the balance in your bank account (debit card) is reduced by this amount. Learn why blocking may be a problem, and how to avoid it.

Credit and Your Consumer Rights - [PDF version]
Explains credit laws that protect your right to obtain, use, and maintain credit. Offers practical tips to help you solve credit problems.

Credit Card Loss Protection Offers - [PDF version]
Since your liability for unauthorized charges is limited to $50, there?s no need to buy loss protection insurance.

Credit Insurance: Is It For You? - [PDF version]
Helps borrowers decide if credit insurance, which is usually optional, is right for them. Explains the four main types of credit insurance and offers shopping tips.

The Credit Practices Rule - [PDF version]
The Rule prohibits many creditors from including certain provisions in consumer credit contracts. It also requires creditors to provide a written notice to consumers before they cosign obligations for others about their potential liability if the other person fails to pay.

Electronic Check Conversion - [PDF version]
Explains how electronic check conversion works. Offers tips on keeping close tabs on your accounts.

Equal Credit Opportunity - [PDF version]
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits the denial of credit because of your sex, race, marital status, religion, national origin, age, or because you receive public assistance.

Fair Credit Billing - [PDF version]
The Fair Credit Billing Act establishes procedures for resolving billing errors on your credit card accounts. Includes sample dispute letter.

Fair Debt Collection - [PDF version]
Answers commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. It prohibits debt collectors from using unfair or deceptive practices to collect overdue bills that your creditor has forwarded for collection.

Getting Credit: What You Need to Know About Your Credit - [PDF version]
Provides tips on shopping for credit cards, using cards carefully, and keeping your credit record clean. Also explains credit reports and credit scores, how to protect your identity, improve your credit record, and what to do if you are a victim of identity theft.  A good source of information for people learning about credit. Includes a dedicated Web page for more information -- www.ftc.gov/gettingcredit.

Getting Credit When You?re Over 62 - [PDF version]
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.

Gold and Platinum Cards - [PDF version]
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.

How to Be the Class 'Value-Dictorian' - [PDF version]
Alerts students and recent graduates to important consumer protection tips.

Payday Loans = Costly Cash - [PDF version]
Explains how these loans work, but cautions that they come at a very high price. Lists alternatives.

Ready, Set... Credit - [PDF version]
For consumers who are about to get their first credit card. Explains how to qualify for a card, get the best deal, and manage your account. Stresses the importance of a good credit history. Discusses federal consumer protections.

Secured Credit Card Marketing Scams - [PDF version]
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.

The Truth About Advance-Fee Loan Scams - [PDF version]
Tells you how to spot a scam and avoid losing your money. Rule number one: Legitimate lenders never "guarantee" or say that you are likely to get a loan or a credit card before you apply, especially if you have bad credit, no credit, or a bankruptcy.

Understanding Vehicle Financing - [PDF version]
Get the facts on dealership financing ? what it is, how you apply, special financing offers, cash back and rebates you may be eligible for, and more.

DEBT & DEBT MANAGEMENT

For People on Debt Management Plans: A Must-Do List - [PDF version]
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.

Ads Promising Debt Relief May Be Offering Bankruptcy - [PDF version]
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.

Credit Repair: Self-Help May Be Best - [PDF version]
Explains how you can improve your credit worthiness and lists legitimate resources for low or no-cost help.

Fair Debt Collection - [PDF version]
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.

Fiscal Fitness: Choosing a Credit Counselor - [PDF version]
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.

Knee Deep in Debt - [PDF version]
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.

Negative Credit Can Squeeze a Job Search - [PDF version]
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.

Out of Work? How to Deal with Creditors - [PDF version]
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.

66 Ways to Save Money - [PDF version]
Practical ways to cut everyday costs on transportation, insurance, banking, credit, housing, utilities, food, and more.

Time-Barred Debts - [PDF version]
Offers information on debt collection practices as they relate to debts that are past the statute of limitations.

MORTGAGE & YOUR HOME

Cancellation of Private Mortgage Insurance:
Federal Law May Save you Hundreds of Dollars Each Year - [PDF version]
The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 establishes rules for automatic termination and borrower cancellation of Private Mortgage Insurance on home mortgages. Find out if you qualify.

High-Rate, High-Fee Loans (HOEPA/Section 32 Mortgages) - [PDF version]
Explains The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, what loans are covered, what disclosures are required, and what practices are prohibited.

Home Equity Credit Lines - [PDF version]
Lenders offer home equity credit lines in a variety of ways. The questions and answers listed may help you decide if a home equity line of credit is right for you.

Home Equity Loans: Borrowers Beware! - [PDF version]
Explains common abusive lending practices and how to avoid becoming a victim, and possibly losing your home.

Looking for the Best Mortgage? Shop, Compare, Negotiate - [PDF version]
Use these three steps to save money on a mortgage or home loan. Includes a mortgage shopping worksheet.

Mortgage Discrimination - [PDF version]
Explains your rights under Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), and what to do if your loan is rejected.

Mortgage Servicing: Making Sure Your Payments Count - [PDF version]
Explains mortgage servicers? responsibilities, in particular under the RESPA enforced by HUD; urges consumers to keep records of their payments, insurance coverage, and other information; explains how consumers can file disputes with their loan servicer; and includes sample letters that consumers may use when filing a dispute with their lender/servicer or with a credit bureau.

Need a Loan? Think Twice About Using Your Home As Collateral - [PDF version]
Includes terms, tips, a checklist, and information to help you find a plan that meet your needs, and protect your interests.

Putting Your Home on the Loan Line Can Be Risky Business - [PDF version]
Alerts consumers to potential borrowing pitfalls and provides tips for getting the best financing deal possible. Warns consumers that regardless of whether a home equity loan is for home repair, bill consolidation, or some other purpose, it?s important to shop around.

Reverse Mortgages: Get the Facts Before Cashing In On Your Home's Equity - [PDF version]
Explains how reverse mortgages (RMs) can help older homeowners who are ?house-rich but cash-poor? remain in their homes and still meet their financial obligations. Explains how the three types of RMs work: single-purpose, federally-insured, and proprietary; and how to get a good deal, and where to complain.

Utility Credit - [PDF version]
Summarizes consumers' credit rights when securing utility services.

CREDIT

Bogus July 1 Email Exposed: The Real Deal
on Your Credit File Privacy - [PDF version]
An anonymous email containing false and misleading information about the use of your personal information has shown up in email in-boxes across the country for the last several years, leaving many consumers concerned and confused. Here's the real deal from the Federal Trade Commission.

Building a Better Credit Report - [PDF version]
Learn how to legally improve your credit report, how to deal with debt, how to spot credit-related scams, and more.

Credit Scoring - [PDF version]
Explains the system creditors use to help determine whether to grant you credit.

Fair Credit Reporting - [PDF version]
The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to learn what information is being distributed about you by credit reporting agencies.

Fake Credit Reports: Cashing in on Your Personal Information - [PDF version]
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.

How to Dispute Credit Report Errors - [PDF version]
Explains how to dispute and correct inaccurate information in your credit report. Includes a sample dispute letter.

New ID? Bad Idea: File Segregation Exposed - [PDF version]
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.

Your Access to "Free Credit Reports" (also in Spanish) - [PDF version]
Educates consumers about their right to a free copy of their "credit reports" (actually a scoreless consumer disclosure). The brochure outlines the roll-out period beginning with the Western states on December 1, 2004; explains the ordering process by Web, toll-free telephone number, and postal address; and includes a copy of the standard credit report request form. The brochure also discusses other consumer rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA).

PRIVACY

Privacy Initiatives Homepage - (www.ftc.gov/privacy)
The Federal Trade Commission is educating consumers and businesses about the importance of personal information privacy, including the security of personal information.

Automatic Debit Scams - [PDF version]
Cautions consumers not to give out checking account information, or any other personal information, over the phone unless they're familiar with the company and agree to pay for something.

Privacy Choices for Your Personal Financial Information - [PDF version]
Explains that federal law gives you the right to stop (opt out of) some sharing of your personal financial information, that you will receive privacy notices from financial institutions you do business with, and what to do when you receive the notices.