Self-help information through various links, documents, publications, etc. Check the Community Directory Channel for more resources.
There are 18 resources
Abusive Lending Website of the Federal Trade Commission
(Separate Website)
This web site contains documents relating to: (1) home equity loans, home equity credit lines and common home equity scams, (2) high rate, high fee mortgages, (3) reverse mortgages, (4) payday loans, and (5) mortgage discrimination. You may view the documents on-line and print them out or print them in PDF format.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Advance-fee Loan Scams
(Separate Website)
Advance-fee loan sharks are preying on unwary consumers, taking their money for the promise of a loan or credit, and leaving them in hot water. The scam artists often impersonate legitimate lenders to entice consumers into falling for their bogus offer.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Auto Title Loans
(Separate Website)
PDF document (may load slowly).
By: South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center
Avoid Dangerous Loans - Bank on Your Future
(Separate Website)
Questions to Ask About Loans: Does the interest rate change over time? Are there fees for this service? What is the cost of the interest that I will have paid by the end of the loan period? Are the loan documents available in my primary language?
By: Appleseed Foundation
Borrower Beware: The High Cost of Small Loans, Pawn Brokers and Rent-to-Own Stores
(Separate Website)
When you need cash, you should beware of some of the companies and people who make loans. This web page tells you what to watch for when you do business with small loan companies, pawn brokers and rent-to-own stores.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Car Loans
(Separate Website)
Before you say “yes,” there are many things
you should know to avoid making a bad deal when taking out a loan to buy a car.
By: Appleseed Foundation
Car Loans: Understanding Vehicle Financing
(Separate Website)
Understanding Vehicle Financing
With prices averaging more than $20,000 for a new vehicle and $9,500 for a four-year-old vehicle, most consumers need financing or leasing to acquire a vehicle. In some cases, buyers use “direct lending:” they obtain a loan directly from a finance company, bank or credit union. In direct lending, a buyer agrees to pay the amount financed, plus an agreed-upon finance charge, over a period of time. Once a buyer and a vehicle dealership enter into a contract and the buyer agrees to a vehicle price, the buyer uses the loan proceeds from the direct lender to pay the dealership for the vehicle. Use this web site to find out more about car loans.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Cashing Checks and Opening Bank Accounts
(Separate Website)
Cashing Checks and Opening Bank Accounts: How to Save Money and Avoid Theft
By: National Consumer Law Center
Consumer Bill of Rights
(Separate Website)
By: SC Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation
Consumer Debts and the Law
(Separate Website)
Do you owe someone money? Having trouble paying off your debt? This brochure can help you understand your rights as a consumer debtor. PDF document (may load slowly).
By: South Carolina Bar Association
Foreclosure Bankruptcy Brochure A roadmap on how to handle foreclosures.
By: South Carolina Legal Services - Columbia
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
Predatory Lending A powerpoint presentation about the Predatory Lending
By: South Carolina Legal Services - Columbia
Recognizing Mortgage Predatory Lending A presentation on how to recognize predatory mortage lending
By: South Carolina Legal Services - Columbia
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
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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