Useful information on consumer protection, financial products, and debt

• www.consumerfinance.gov
  The website of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau contains information about financial products and educational articles about personal finance making it an excellent resource for potential borrowers.
• www.consumer.ftc.gov
  The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Protection website provides a section with information on dealing with debt problems, debt counseling, debt collection, and other topics related to debt. You can also find helpful information and tips about financial planning.
• www.ftc.gov
  The FTC’s website also has a section where you can find information on consumer rights and protections, legislation that deals with consumer protection, in addition to providing the ability to file a complaint, if necessary.
• www.nclc.org
  The National Consumer Law Center is a nonprofit organization that advocates for consumer rights and protections. Its website provides valuable information about consumer protection legislation across multiple industries including lending and credit.

Why should you check your credit report?

Your credit score is a measure of your financial health, it tells how well you are doing, and whether you need to take any action to improve it. It is extremely important to know what is on your credit report both to know what you can do to improve it and in case anything is incorrect. We strongly advise being aware of your financial situation before making any financial decisions.

What is a Credit Report?

Your credit report shows a detailed history of your financial activities. This includes open credit cards, loans, and any late payments for things like utilities or your phone bill. There are three major credit reporting agencies. Many third-party companies provide copies of your credit report from all three agencies, but you need to know which one you should trust with your personal information. Under the Credit Score section of our website, you can find our partner credit report providers that have a great reputation.

What is a credit score?

Your credit score is a number that shows how well you are managing your finances. The higher the number, the better. Your credit score affects your ability to open a credit card, get a loan, and even your car insurance rates. The lower your score, the more difficult it will be to get credit and the higher the interest rates you are charged will be.