Self-help information through various links, documents, publications, etc. Check the Community Directory Channel for more resources.
There are 20 resources
Credit
(Separate Website)
The use of credit is a way of life in the United States. At any one time, about three-fourths of American households have some form of debt, including credit purchases of cars, appliances, clothing, vacation trips and other goods and services. Just over two-fifths of households have loans secured by their homes—in other words, mortgages. This web site will help you understand the rules, regulations, and laws about consumer installment credit, designed to protect you, the consumer.
By: American Bar Association
Credit - An FTC Consumer Law Web Site
(Separate Website)
This web site contains over 100 documents that deal with credit issues, including credit scams, privacy issues, identity theft, electronic banking and credit cards. The web site also contains information for businesses. The documents may be viewed and printed from the screen or printed in PDF format.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Credit and your Consumer Rights
(Separate Website)
A good credit rating is very important. Businesses inspect your credit history when they evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, and even leases. They can use it when they choose to give or deny you credit or insurance, provided you receive fair and equal treatment. Sometimes, things happen that can cause credit problems: a temporary loss of income, an illness, even a computer error. Solving credit problems may take time and patience, but it doesn’t have to be an ordeal.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Fast Facts - How to File a Complaint
(Separate Website)
PDF document (may load slowly).
By: SC Department of Consumer Affairs
Fast Facts - SC Department of Consumer Affairs
(Separate Website)
PDF document (may load slowly).
By: SC Department of Consumer Affairs
Fraud - Frauds, Schemes and Rip-offs
(Separate Website)
By: SC Department of Consumer Affairs
Fraud - Rules for Health Skepticism
(Separate Website)
By: SC Department of Consumer Affairs
Fraud - Types of Fraud
(Separate Website)
By: SC Department of Consumer Affairs
FTC Web Site: E-Commerce and The Internet
(Separate Website)
Education is a key tool to prevent consumer injury. In this section of our website, you’ll find publications with advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs, as well as tips on other consumer topics.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Identity Theft
(Separate Website)
How can someone steal your identity? Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft is a serious crime. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years - and their hard-earned money - cleaning up the mess thieves have made of their good name and credit record. In the meantime, victims may lose job opportunities, are refused loans, education, housing or cars, or even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number
(Separate Website)
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. When a dishonest person has your Social Security number, the thief can use it to get other personal information about you. Most of the time identity thieves use your number and your good credit to apply for more credit in your name. Then, they use the credit cards and do not pay the bills. You do not find out that someone is using your number until you are turned down for credit, or you begin to get calls from unknown creditors demanding payment for items you never bought.
By: Social Security Administration
Identity Theft Web Site
(Separate Website)
This web site explains: (1) how to keep your identity and personal information (such as your name and social security number) from being stolen, and (2) tells you what to do if someone has already stolen your personal information and used it. The web site also contains information about federal and state laws against identity theft and about how to file a complaint.
By: Federal Trade Commission
National Association of Consumer Advocates
(Separate Website)
The National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) is a nationwide organization of more than 1500 members who represent and have represented hundreds of thousands of consumers victimized by fraudulent, abusive and predatory business practices
By: South Carolina Legal Services - Columbia
National Consumer Law Center
(Separate Website)
The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) is the nation?s consumer law expert, helping consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers use powerful and complex consumer laws on behalf of low-income and vulnerable Americans seeking economic justice.
By: South Carolina Legal Services - Columbia
Personal Financial Education
(Separate Website)
This web site contains information and educational materials about: (1) Consumer Banking, (2) Consumer Protection, (3) Economics, (4) Home and Mortgages, (5) Interest Rates, (6) Loans and Credit, and much much more!
By: Federal Reserve System
Privacy: Tips for Protecting Your Personal Information
(Separate Website)
Every day you share personal information about yourself with others. It's so routine that you may not even realize you're doing it. You may write a check at the grocery store, charge tickets to a ball game, rent a car, mail your tax returns, buy a gift online, call home on your cell phone, schedule a doctor's appointment or apply for a credit card. Each transaction requires you to share personal information: your bank and credit card account numbers; your income; your Social Security number (SSN); or your name, address and phone numbers.
By: The Federal Trade Commission
Right to Access Free Credit Reports
(Separate Website)
Soon you’ll be able to get your credit report for free. A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumer reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Rules of the Road on What Debts to Pay First A list of rules you should follow when trying to eliminate debt.
By: South Carolina Legal Services - Columbia
South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
(Separate Website)
The primary function of SCDCA is to regulate the consumer credit marketplace, to resolve any complaint arising out of the production, promotion or sale of consumer goods or services in South Carolina, whether or not credit is involved, and to promote a healthy competitive business climate with mutual confidence between buyers and sellers.
By: South Carolina Legal Services - Columbia
The Truth About Credit Reports and Credit Repair Companies
(Separate Website)
The Truth About Credit Reports and Credit Repair Companies
By: National Consumer Law Center
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.)
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