CFPB: What To Do If You’re Wrongfully Billed for Medicare Costs
If you’re among the 7 million Americans enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program , doctors, suppliers, and other providers aren’t allowed to bill you for Medicare costs when you receive covered medical services, equipment, and supplies. Your Medicare premiums, as well as costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, are all covered by Medicaid. The Centers…
CFPB: Buy a Home? The First Step is to Check your Credit
Buying a home is exciting. It’s also one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. Choosing a mortgage to pay for your new home is just as important as choosing the right home. You have the right to control the process. Check out our other blogs on homebuying topics, and join the conversation on Facebook…
CFPB: Four Tips to Help Older Student Loan Borrowers Navigate Common Problems with their Student Loans
Today, we released a report that shows that older Americans now carry an unprecedented amount of student loan debt into retirement. The report shows that over the last decade, the number of older student loan borrowers has quadrupled in the United States. The amount that these borrowers owe has also dramatically increased. Between 2005 and 2015, consumers…
CFPB: Understanding Why Offers For “Your” Credit Score Are Not All The Same
Today, TransUnion and Equifax have agreed to change practices that the Bureau found misled consumers about the value of the credit scores they marketed and sold. In their advertising, TransUnion and Equifax misrepresented that the credit scores they marketed and provided to consumers were the same scores that lenders typically use to make credit decisions…
ABA: 7 Ways to Avoid a Holiday Spending Hangover
WASHINGTON — As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, the American Bankers Association has identified seven habits that shoppers should embrace to minimize their holiday spending debt. “It’s incredibly easy to go overboard buying gifts for loved ones during the holidays, but spending within your means will help keep your holidays merry and…
ABA: 6 Tips for Military Families
November is Military Family Month WASHINGTON —In honor of Military Family Month and upcoming Veterans Day, the American Bankers Association is highlighting six financial tips to help military families manage their money. “Service members and their families often cite finances as one of their most significant stressors, even more so than deployments and personal relationships,”…
ABA: Understanding Your Role as a Financial Caregiver
November is National Family Caregiver Month WASHINGTON — According to the Caregiver Action Network, more than 90 million Americans care for a loved one living with a disability, disease or experiencing reduced financial capability as a result of aging. Financial caregivers play an important role in ensuring that all finances — from routine to complex — are managed wisely,…
ABA: 12 Ways to Protect Your Mobile Device From Hackers
WASHINGTON — As more and more consumers rely on their mobile devices to bank, browse and shop on the internet, it is extremely important that they exercise certain measures to protect their devices from online threats. In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the American Bankers Association is recommending 12 tips to help consumers safeguard…
CFPB: Financial Coaching Can Benefit Consumers
We recently released two briefs about financial coaching and how it can benefit consumers. At some point in their financial lives, many consumers need more than access to information — they may also need someone to help them to identify and achieve their financial goals. A financial coach can serve as a capable and trusted…
ABA: 8 Tops to Protect Your Identity
October is National Cybersecurity Month WASHINGTON —Every year, millions of consumers become victims of identity theft. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, an estimated 17.6 million U.S. residents experienced the misuse of their personal information in 2014, up from 16.6 million victims in 2012. In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the American Bankers…