COMMUNITY RESOURCES
TransUnion
One of the three main credit bureaus. Obtain consumer education, dispute errors on your report, order your credit report and more.
Equifax
One of the three main credit bureaus. Obtain consumer education, dispute errors on your report, order your credit report and more.
Experian
One of the three main credit bureaus. Obtain consumer education, dispute errors on your report, order your credit report and more.
Annual Credit Reports
Visit this site to obtain your annual credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You are eligible to receive one report from each bureau once a year at no cost. If you would like additional copies, there will usually be a fee (with some exceptions such as you have been turned down for credit, are a victim of fraud, etc.) You may obtain all three at once, or, check just one every four months, which would cover you for the entire year. Information on each report may vary slightly, so if you are trying to clear up ID theft issues, you may wish to obtain all three at once.
Consumer Resources
Consumer Action
A non-profit consumer education and advocacy group. For objective comparison shopping, Consumer Action's website includes a very helpful annual survey of credit cards, long-distance telephone companies, online banks and more. Also includes a section on credit card fraud, identity theft, home equity loan fraud, credit repair scams, insurance fraud, telemarketing scams and more and tips on how to protect yourself from these scams and what to do if you have been a victim. Information available on their site in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.
ChexSystems
The Consumer Debit Resource site is dedicated to helping you develop good debit practices, basic knowledge and skills to manage and maintain checking accounts so that you can build a solid foundation that will allow you to fully participate, enjoy, and access mainstream financial services.
Report identity theft and stolen checks here. You may also download your ChexSystems "Consumer Report" here for free. This report is needed to attend any class.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. The site is full of useful information for those interested in buying a home such as finding out how much mortgage you can afford, avoiding predatory lending, how to shop for a home, a list of HUD-owned, foreclosed homes for sale, and much more.
Federal Trade Commission
The FTC is a governmental agency that enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. In addition to carrying out its statutory enforcement responsibilities, the agency promotes consumer education. Under the "For Consumers: Consumer Information" section, the site offers numerous free, downloadable brochures on hot topics such as identify theft, your privacy rights, buying a car, telemarketing scams and more.
CREDIT CARDS FOR BAD CREDIT
Credit Cards and Prepaid Debit Cards for People with Bad Credit |
The following Credit Cards and Prepaid Debit Cards, some of which are fee-based, are for People with Bad Credit or less than perfect credit. Simply getting a credit card will not help you build, re-build or re-establish your credit history. Making on-time minimum payments with all of your creditors and maintaining your account balances below the credit limits is the key to changing your financial future. Choose from both secured and unsecured credit card offers below |
Mint is the most incredible online application I have ever come across!! Unbelievable job - keep up the great work.
Simply amazing. This is EXACTLY what each bank should actually be offering these days. I'm floored by functionality and ability for it to instantly give me feedback on my spending habits.
Research/Check-up/ Back Ground Check
Better Business Bureau
Provides consumers with free service to check company’s history and complaint file.
California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
The DCA, through this website, promotes and protects the interests of California consumers. DCA helps consumers learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals. The Department also protects professionals from unfair competition by unlicensed practitioners.
Department of Justice Fair Housing Initiative
At this site, the Dept. of Justice allows those who believe they are victims of housing discrimination to file a complaint. They also print the Fair Housing Act in its entirety and offer answers to frequently asked questions as well as a link to HUD's Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity website.
Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
Visit this site to remove your names from mailing, e-mail and telemarketing lists.
Valuable Resource Assistance
Credit Union Match-Up
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a bank and a credit union? Why are so many people partial to their credit unions? Credit unions offer a wide range of services, from checking accounts to savings accounts and loans. Unlike banks, credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit, cooperative financial institutions, formed to permit those in the field of membership to pool their savings, lend to one another, and own the organization where they save, borrow, and obtain related financial services. The not-for-profit status of credit unions enables them to operate at a lower cost than many for-profit institutions and helps them to offer highly-competitive loan and savings rates to their members. Members of each credit union must share a "common bond," such as being employed at the same workplace, belonging to the same church or fraternal organization, or living in the same neighborhood. Some credit unions serve an entire community. Others serve several employee groups. The California Credit Union League has created a user-friendly, web-based site that links individuals or groups with credit unions they may be eligible to join. Click here to make the match today!
Partners
The Credit Coach, Inc - www.thecreditcoach.info
Credit Detailer, LLC - www.creditdetailer.com
Debt Care Processing, Inc - www.debtcareprocessing.com
