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Credit
 Websites presented in alphabetical order AnnualCreditReport.com 
 This site "allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion." Includes a FAQ. Sponsored by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Investing, Money Last updated Nov 6, 2005 CardRatings.com
Find reports on low rate, poor credit, reward, corporate, and student credit cards. Answer questions such as “Which is better: a flight card or a low rate card” using special credit calculators. Learn from links and extensive information about consumer credit. Post a credit related question on the message board. From U.S. Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms, Inc. (CFCCT). http://www.cardratings.com/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Money Last updated Jun 19, 2001 Compare Credit Cards' Rental Car Insurance Policies
November 2008 article and accompanying chart that "shows that credit card companies' policies vary sharply in who's covered, at what level, in which vehicles and where" for insurance coverage when renting a car. Chart provides information for American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa. Also includes link to an article about renting a car with a debit card. From "a site where people can learn about, compare and select credit cards." http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/rental-car-insurance-policies-1273.php Topics: Automobiles, Money Last updated Dec 2, 2008 Credit Card Repayment Calculator
"Based on the information you provide, [this] calculator will give you an estimate of how long it will take you to pay off your credit card balance." Enter your total credit card balance and highest annual percentage rate (APR) to determine how long it will take to pay off the card if you make only the minimum payment, and to get further options on paying off the balance sooner. From the Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/creditcardcalculator Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Mar 23, 2009 DebtAdvice.org
This website is "designed to help consumers understand the wise use of credit and locate a trained, certified counselor if you are in need of assistance." The consumer tips section features free publications on topics such as saving during tough economic times, the foreclosure process, and how to survive a recession. Note: some other website sections include fee-based publications. Also available in Spanish. From the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. http://www.debtadvice.org Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Jan 5, 2009 Fact Sheet: Reforms to Protect American Credit Card Holders
This White House fact sheet describes key points of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009, including bans on unfair rate increase and fee traps, requirements for "plain language in plain sight" disclosures, credit card issuer accountability, and protections for college students and young adults. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-Sheet-Reforms-to-Protect-American-Credit-Card-Holders/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Jun 1, 2009 Facts for Consumers: Credit Scoring
Fact sheet on credit scoring, "a system creditors use to help determine whether to give you credit." Discusses the credit scoring model, what individuals can do to improve their credit score, the reliability of the credit scoring system, what happens if you are denied credit, and how to file a complaint. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre24.shtm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Money Last updated Jun 6, 2007 Facts for Consumers: The Credit Practices Rule
This rule, "which became effective March l, l985, prohibits many creditors from including certain provisions in consumer credit contracts. It also requires creditors to provide a written notice to consumers before they cosign obligations for others about their potential liability if the other person fails to pay. Finally, it prohibits one method of assessing late charges." The site provides an overview of these requirements for consumer loan contracts. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre12.shtm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Sep 12, 2008 The Federal Reserve Board: Frequently Asked Questions: Monetary Policy
Brief questions and answers about "monetary policy [which] refers to the actions undertaken by a central bank, such as the Federal Reserve, to influence the availability and cost of money and credit as a means of helping to promote national economic goals." Includes answers to question about the federal funds rate, the discount rate, and how the Federal Reserve maintains the stability of the U.S. financial system. From the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). http://www.federalreserve.gov/generalinfo/faq/faqmpo.htm Topics: Money Last updated Mar 17, 2008 Global Credit Crunch
Collection of news and analysis concerning problems associated with the U.S. and global financial systems. Topics include the sub-prime mortgage crisis, the purchase of Wall Street bank Bear Stearns in March 2008, rising gold prices, and stock market turmoil. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/business/2007/creditcrunch/default.stm Topics: Finance, Money Last updated Mar 17, 2008 The History of Credit & Debt
This essay provides "a retrospective on money and the development of credit. You will be taken on a 9,000-year journey to see how we arrived at our present-day financial times." Topics include development of money and currency, early regulations on interest and credit (such as from Hammurabi's code), debtors' prison, credit cards, and bankruptcy. From the Myvesta Foundation, a consumer finance assistance service. http://myvesta.org/history/ Topics: Money Last updated Apr 20, 2009 National Foundation for Consumer Credit
NFCC is an association of non-profit organizations that provide education and counseling in credit and debt management. This site provides basic consumer information about credit reports, debt collection practices, and bankruptcy. Consumers are encouraged to contact their local NFCC office via the Local Office Locator directory. http://www.nfcc.org/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Investing, Money Last updated Nov 18, 2002 Sites Offering "Free" Credit Reports: Worth Consumer Consideration?
This July 2007 report "examines Web sites that offer consumers paid access to their credit reports in combination with credit scores, credit monitoring, and/or credit insurance. These sites are alternatives to annualcreditreport.com, created as a result of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 (FACTA)." The report concludes that these sites show the "potential for confusion and unnecessary expenses." Opens directly into a PDF document. From Consumer Reports WebWatch. http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/pdfs/creditsites.pdf Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Jul 18, 2007 Survey of Credit Card Plans
"Every six months the Federal Reserve System surveys the terms of credit card plans offered by financial institutions and publishes a report of the findings." This report includes annual percentage rate, type of pricing (fixed or variable), index, grace period, annual fee, and other features of each credit card. Sort alphabetically or by annual percentage rate or annual fee. Provides data back to 1990, and related links. From the Federal Reserve Board. http://www.federalreserve.gov/Pubs/shop/survey.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Jun 1, 2009 The Truth About Credit
A consumer site offering advice on credit cards. Coverage includes rip-offs, hazards and traps, navigating offers, terms, paying off debt, obtaining your credit report, resolving troubles, and links to state PIRGs and the original PIRG with information on other consumer protection topics. From the Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs). http://www.truthaboutcredit.org/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Money Last updated Mar 17, 2005 Understanding Your FICO Score
"This booklet provides a thorough description of credit scoring, including ways credit scoring can help you, the relationship between your credit report and your credit score, what a FICO score considers, and interpreting your score." Details about what a FICO score considers include payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and types of credit in use. Opens directly into a PDF document. From Fair Isaac Corporation, creator of the FICO score. http://www.myfico.com/Downloads/Files/myFICO_UYFS_Booklet.pdf Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Money Last updated Jan 7, 2008 Your Access to Free Credit Reports
Under an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers can request a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months. This site has the details and the URL of the only official request website. From the Federal Trade Commission. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre34.shtm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Investing, Money Last updated Jun 15, 2008 Your Credit Score: How It All Adds Up
Consumer fact sheet on credit scoring, "a grading system that adds or subtracts points based on select data in your credit report. ... Your final grade -- your credit score -- is said to measure how likely it is that you will repay a loan." Discusses factors used to determine credit scores (such as payment history and amount owed), ordering credit reports, and tips for improving your score. From the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs6c-CreditScores.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Money Last updated Mar 22, 2006 Your Credit Scores
Questions and answers about credit scores, "number[s] that help lenders and others predict how likely you are to make your credit payments on time." Uses the FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) score system to show the factors affecting a credit score, such as payment history. Includes examples of actions you can take to boost scores, and contacts for credit reporting agencies. From the Consumer Federation of America and the Fair Isaac Corporation. http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/money/creditscores/your.htm Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Money Last updated Mar 22, 2006 |
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