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  General Information
 
   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  
  
   
   Dealing with Debt Collection Harrassment This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (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
  
   
  Related Information
 
   Repossessions, Garnishments and Executions
If you owe money to a person or business and cannot pay, they will try to collect. If you bought something on credit, the creditor may have the right to repossess it. If the creditor sues you and gets a court judgment, the creditor may have the right to garnish your wages or execute against your property. This document explains when a creditor can do these things and what you can do to protect your property.
By: Legal Services Alabama  
  
   
   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  
  
   
   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  
  
   
Garnishment
 
   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  
  
   
   Repossessions, Garnishments and Executions
If you owe money to a person or business and cannot pay, they will try to collect. If you bought something on credit, the creditor may have the right to repossess it. If the creditor sues you and gets a court judgment, the creditor may have the right to garnish your wages or execute against your property. This document explains when a creditor can do these things and what you can do to protect your property.
By: Legal Services Alabama  
  
   
   Protect Your Social Security and SSI
Creditors and other people with a judgment against you will often have the Sheriff serve papers on your bank. The papers tell the bank to use your account to pay the judgment. Answer five important questions in this document to see if you can protect your money.
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  
  
   
Loans
 
   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 This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (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  
  
   
   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  
  
   
   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  
  
   
   Dealing with Debt Collection Harrassment This link opens a PDF file in a new window.  If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page. (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  
  
   
   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  
  
   
   Repossessions, Garnishments and Executions
If you owe money to a person or business and cannot pay, they will try to collect. If you bought something on credit, the creditor may have the right to repossess it. If the creditor sues you and gets a court judgment, the creditor may have the right to garnish your wages or execute against your property. This document explains when a creditor can do these things 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  
  
   
 
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