Know your rights and learn what you can do to help yourself
There are 16 resources
General Information
Avoiding Advance-Fee Loan Scams
Has a lender guaranteed you will get a loan or credit card? Has a lender said it does not matter if you have bad credit or no credit? Read this document for more information about this.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Borrower Beware: The High Cost of Small Loans, Pawnbrokers and Rent-To-Own Stores
(Separate Website)
This brochure describes the high cost of different kinds of small loans - payday loans, pawning your car's title, and renting-to-own a TV, stereo, furniture or appliances.
(You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to open this page of their website. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Get Acrobat Reader icon to download.)
By: National Consumer Law Center
Buying a Used Car
Buying a used car can be confusing and difficult. A quick look may tell you a car is in bad condition, but you can't always tell just by looking. Some dealers hide things from you. Others mislead you. Here are some answers to questions you may have about buying a used car.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Buying a Used Car? Facts for Consumers
(Separate Website)
Before you start shopping for a car, do some homework. This site covers payment options, dealer sales, warranties, service contracts, private sales, and more. Read this in: Español By: U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Dangers of Co-Signing a Loan
Should I co-sign a loan? What happens when I co-sign? If I decide to co-sign despite the risks, what should I do? This document answers these questions.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Co-signing a Loan - Facts for Consumers
(Separate Website)
What would you do if a friend or relative asked you to cosign a loan? Before you answer, make sure you understand what cosigning involves. Under federal law, creditors are required to give you a notice that explains your obligations. This site includes that notice and other information.
By: U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Credit Cards and Consumer Loans
(Separate Website)
Website containing information about many consumer issues, including advance-fee loans; home equity loans and common home equity scams; co-signing a loan; payday loans; and more.
By: U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Credit Insurance: Is It for You?
The next time you apply for a loan, the lender may ask if you want to buy credit insurance. The lender may even include it in your loan papers. Before you buy it, think about what you are paying - and what you are getting. Read this document for more information.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Payday Loans (Check Loans)
Some lenders give small cash advances in exchange for a post-dated personal check. They agree to hold these checks until the borrower's next payday. That explains how the loans got their name. This document explains who uses payday loans, why you shouldn't take them out and how you can get the money you need without a payday loan.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Student Aid on the Web
(Separate Website)
This website has information about student loans, including how to apply, what types of loans are available, and information about repaying your loan.
By: U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid
Dealing with Debt Collection Harrassment
(Separate Website)
If you are being harrassed by debt collectors, you should consider taking one or more of the eight steps in this brochure.
(You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer to open this page of their website. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Get Acrobat Reader icon to download.)
By: National Consumer Law Center
Fair Debt Collection Practices
If you use credit cards, owe money on a personal loan or are paying on a home mortgage, you are a "debtor." If you fall behind in making payments, a "debt collector" may call or write to you. Federal law says debt collectors must treat you fairly. This document explains how you are protected by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Repossessions
If you bought something on credit or put up something you own as collateral, the creditor may have the right to repossess it. Cars are often repossessed. We use a car as an example for repossessions and answer questions about what you can do.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Wage Garnishments
This fact sheet explains when someone can garnish your paycheck. It also explains what you can do to stop the garnishment.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Executions
If you owe money to a person or business and cannot pay, they will try to collect. If a creditor sues you and gets a court judgment, the creditor may have the right to execute against your property. This document explains how a creditor does this and what you can do to protect your property.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Save Those Papers!
In order to protect your rights, you may need to use papers others have given you. This fact sheet tells you what papers you should save.
By: Legal Services Alabama
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
AlabamaLegalHelp.org is a project of Legal Services Alabama and the Legal Services Corporation. It is produced in cooperation with Pro Bono Net and legal services organizations, bar associations, community organizations and government agencies throughout Alabama and the United States.
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