Plain-language advice to help you understand your consumer rights and avoid and report scams.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 274
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Shopping for Funeral Services by Phone or Online
When a loved one dies, family members and friends often need to make decisions about a funeral quickly and under emotional stress. If your loved one dies in another state, or you can’t meet in person
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How To Safely Use Public Wi-Fi Networks
Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, libraries, airports, hotels, universities, and other public places are convenient, but often they’re not secure. If you connect to a Wi-Fi network and send information
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Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards
If your credit, ATM, or debit card is lost or stolen, federal law limits your liability for charges made without your permission, but your protection depends on the type of card — and when you report
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Common Health Scams
People spend billions of dollars a year on products and treatments in the hope of improving their health and fitness. But a lot of that money goes to companies that make fake claims about those
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Mortgage Discrimination
Discriminating against someone who’s trying to get a mortgage loan is against the law. Know your rights and what to do if you suspect discrimination. Fair Lending Laws and Your Rights Before and
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Credit Discrimination
Federal law gives you protections when you deal with any organizations or people who regularly extend credit. That includes, for example, banks, small loan and finance companies, retail and department
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Understanding Your Credit
We hear a lot about credit — credit reports, credit scores, credit freezes, credit monitoring. What does it all mean for you? Your credit matters because it affects your ability to get a loan, a job
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Avoiding Scams To Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate
Some scammy debt relief companies will say just about anything to get your money. They promise to get you a lower credit card interest rate, claiming to be able to save you thousands of dollars but
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Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit
If you’re thinking about getting a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit, shop around. Compare financing offered by banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Shopping
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Invention Promotion Scams
Dishonest invention promoters lie about the profit potential of your invention to get you to pay for expensive, but often useless, services. Here’s what you need to know to avoid an invention
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Comparing Credit, Charge, Secured Credit, Debit, or Prepaid Cards
Many payment cards may look alike, and they all let you use a plastic card to pay for things online or in a store. But credit, charge, secured credit, debit, and prepaid cards work in different ways
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Buying American Indian Arts and Crafts
Whether you’re drawn to the beauty of turquoise and silver jewelry or the earth tones of Indian pottery, learning more about American Indian arts and crafts can help you make sure you buy quality
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Cosigning a Loan FAQs
When you cosign a loan for a friend or family member, you’re putting your own finances and creditworthiness on the line. Here’s what you need to know before you cosign a loan. What’s a cosigner? Why
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Employer Background Checks and Your Rights
If you’re applying for a job or a promotion, an employer might run a background check. Federal law and some state laws give you rights when this happens. Employers must get your written permission
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Did a Lender Offer Less Favorable Terms or Deny You Credit?
Did you apply for credit and get a notice that you got less favorable terms because of your credit report or credit score? Your credit report and credit scores can affect whether you get credit or the