CFPB: New Credit Monitoring, Medical Debit Restrictions and Mortgage Protections for Servicemembers and Veterans
Free credit monitoring, medical debt credit reporting restrictions, and mortgage protections for those recently back from active duty In May 2018, new protections for servicemembers and veterans were signed into law . The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Bureau previously highlighted the new federal law that went into effect on September 21, 2018 requiring…
CFPB: Common Errors People Find on Their Credit Report and How to Get Them Fixed
According to a study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission, one in five people have an error on at least one of their credit reports. Errors on your credit reports can lower your credit score, which could hurt your ability to get new lines of credit or make the terms of credit more expensive. Ultimately,…
CFPB: Credit Score Myths that Might Be Holding You Back from Improving Your Credit
Improving your credit is possible, but it’s hard to know where to start. There’s a lot of misleading information out there, and these credit myths can get in the way of improving your credit score. Your credit score is important for determining things like whether you’ll be able to qualify for a loan or credit…
CFPB: Resolve to Take Control of Your Debt in the New Year
Many people make it their New Year’s resolution to get a handle on debt and improve their finances. Here are six steps you can take to make that resolution a reality. 1. Budget Creating a budget will help you figure out how much money you have to pay down your debts, while also covering your…
CFPB: Three Ways to Enjoy the Holidays Without Going into Debt
The holidays are a time of giving, from traveling to see family and friends to shopping for gifts. For many people, all of this spending can add up quickly. During the 2017 holiday season, American credit card debt rose at the second-fastest pace in 10 years according to the Federal Reserve. You can ease some…
CFPB: Build a Brighter Future by Saving at Tax Time
Saving money is not always easy, but having some savings provides people with the security needed to withstand economic shocks and plan for their future. Many people save automatically through a workplace retirement plan or by directly depositing money out of each paycheck into a savings account. But according to the Pew Charitable Trusts, more than…
CFPB: How to Tell the Difference Between a Legitimate Debt Collector and Scammers
Dealing with debt collection issues can be challenging—especially when you’re not sure if the person you’re being contacted by is legitimate or trying to scam you. When an account like a credit card, auto loan, or cell phone bill becomes past due, the original creditor may attempt to collect the amount owed. The creditor may…
FDIC: Tool Enhanced to Prevent Elder Financial Exploitation
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced the release of a Spanish-language version of Money Smart for Older Adults. The curriculum, now offered in English and Spanish, has been updated to provide new information and resources to help older adults and their caregivers recognize and prevent fraud, scams, and other types of financial exploitation….
CFPB: Budgeting Strategies and Free Tools to Help You Reach Your Goals
Making and sticking to a budget is a key step to getting a handle on your debt and working towards your goals. Making a budget Let’s say you want to save up for a down payment on a house, a vacation, or for your emergency savings fund. Until you have an understanding of how much…
CFPB: Free Credit Freezes Now Available
Free credit freezes and year-long fraud alerts are here, starting Sept. 21, 2018, thanks to a new federal law. Here’s what you should know. Free credit freezes Security freezes, also known as credit freezes, restrict access to your credit file, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. Starting Sept….