Borrow

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.

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

When it comes to dealing with debt, you have options. Find out what you can do, and get tips for avoiding scams.

This article provides hints and tips for shopping for a used car. It includes a checklist and explains your rights when buying from a dealer or a private party. It also offers buying tips and resources if you have problems after the sale.

This article provides information on obtaining a free copy of your credit report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – once every 12 months. It also provides guidance on disputing incorrect information on your reports.

A new car is second only to a home as the most expensive purchase many consumers make. That’s why it’s important to know how to make a smart deal. This article provides tips to help you with the purchase. It explains commonly used industry terms, and it provides a worksheet to help you negotiate on price.

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.

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

This website presents the computer-based Money Smart curriculum -- a comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help individuals outside the financial mainstream develop financial skills and positive banking relationships. The Money Smart Computer-Based Instruction (CBI) is a friendly and easy to  use  learning tool that teaches the 10 modules of the Money Smart curriculum through a computer.

This website presents the FDIC's Money Smart financial education curriculum. The Money Smart's on-line curriculum can help you take charge of your finances and create a better financial future. Available on-line or by mail free of charge; it may also be taught in a classroom setting or downloaded into a portable audio (MP3) format.