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What are your obligations if you decide to cosign on a loan for a friend or relative?

If you are one of the millions of Americans who borrows money, buys items on installment credit, or cosigns for another person's debt, you may want to know about the Federal Trade Commission's Credit Practices Rule. This article describes the Rule, which protects consumers in many ways.

Your liability for fraudulent credit card charges is $50, but that doesn’t stop scam artists from peddling “loss protection” services.

You've probably been receiving privacy notices from banks and other financial companies. This article explains the federal law that require the notices and that protect your financial privacy. These laws give you the right to stop (opt out of) some sharing of your personal financial information. The laws also require that you will receive privacy notices from your financial institutions.

Learn how to avoid holds on your money or credit.

If you don’t make timely payments on the vehicle, your creditor may have the right to “repossess” — or take back your car without going to court or warning you in advance. Your creditor also may be able to sell your contract to a third party who may have the same right to seize the car as the original creditor. This website discusses the requirements for seizing and reselling your car for nonpayment. It explains deficiency - the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your creditor gets for reselling your car.

That ‘special’ offer by a car dealer may not be the best deal. Here’s how to compare the terms of sale prices and financing in ads.

This edition of FDIC Consumer News focuses on tips for newlyweds. For these couples, the first big financial decisions go beyond how to pay for the honeymoon and how to invest all those checks. They also involve starting a new household on solid ground financially.

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); he

This edition of FDIC Consumer News focuses on teaching kids the financial facts of life, the importance of saving, spending wisely and sharing with others. The article offers some suggestions that can help parents, guardians and even grandparents raise responsible money-managers.