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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 Can I Just Walk Away From a House and Its Mortgage?
A personal financial columnist briefly explains how walking away from a mortgage can be detrimental to your credit rating and could make it difficult for you to buy another home for some time. Also describes how alternatives such as foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, and short sales can also negatively affect your credit score. http://asklizweston.com/2005/06/13/can-i-just-walk-away-from-a-house-and-its-mortgage/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Housing Last updated Jun 25, 2009 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 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 Debtors Anonymous (DA)
DA "is a twelve step fellowship for debtors trying to recover from money problems and compulsive debt" (started in 1968 by a core group of recovery members from Alcoholics Anonymous). The site includes a compulsive debtors questionnaire "Is Debtors Anonymous Right for You?" and lists telephone contact information and online support groups registered with the organization. http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Mental Conditions Last updated Aug 25, 2004 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 A Historical Investigation into the Past: Lizzie Borden/ Fall River Case Study
Contains "late nineteenth century primary source materials from the Lizzie Borden axe murder trial and from Fall River, Massachusetts." Includes photographs, illustrations, census data, maps, newspaper clippings, Borden family documents (land purchases and sales, wills, credit ratings, a family tree), and transcriptions of Edmund Pearson's "Trial of Lizzie Borden" (1937) and Edwin H. Porter's "The Fall River Tragedy: A History of the Borden Murders" (1893). From the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. http://ccbit.cs.umass.edu/lizzie/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Crime, Geography, History, Mysteries and More, Photograph Collections: Nature & Wildlife, U.S. History By Place, Water Last updated Jun 24, 2003 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 Which is Worse: Foreclosure or Bankruptcy?
This 2007 article considers the question of "what is better on your credit report -- foreclosure or bankruptcy? The article notes that "[n]either option is going to be easy. Generally, a foreclosure will remain on your credit report for 7 years, while a bankruptcy remains for 10 years. But that doesn't mean foreclosure is necessarily the better option." Also describes alternatives to mortgage foreclosure and bankruptcy. From the MSNBC answer desk. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21478416/ Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Housing Last updated Mar 12, 2008 Why Not Just Walk Away From a Home?
This February 2008 article discusses companies that suggest home owners voluntarily walk away from their mortgages, "engaging in a practice the mortgage industry calls 'ruthless default'" instead of going through the foreclosure process. Also describes alternatives to foreclosure or walking away that borrowers should consider. From National Public Radio (NPR). http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18958049 Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Housing Last updated Mar 4, 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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