Self-help information through various links, documents, publications, etc. Check the Community Directory Channel for more resources.
There are 26 resources
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Checking and ATMs
Automatic Teller Machines and the Law
(Separate Website)
Downtown, at the mall, at the superstore—everywhere—an automatic teller machine (ATM) is there, ready to give you cash in exchange for a swipe of your plastic and a few magic numbers. That convenience, however, comes with a certain amount of expense and some exposure to risk as well.
By: American Bar Association
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
Check Clearing in the 21st Century Act - Check 21
(Separate Website)
Check 21 is sweeping new federal law that takes away your ability to get back your original paper checks. Under this law, consumers will be more likely to bounce checks and may find themselves paying higher bank fees. The complicated new law gives you some rights, but those rights depend on a variety of factors, including how the merchant and the bank decide to process your check. This web page contains some tips from Consumers Union about how to protect your rights.
By: Consumers Union, Nonprofit Publisher of Consumer Reports
Credit, Debit, and ATM Cards
(Separate Website)
These plastic cards may look alike – but different rules apply to each.
Know the rules…and these cards can
make financial transactions safer and
more convenient. Fail to understand the rules…and the fees and late payment charges can cost
you a lot of money!
By: Appleseed Foundation
How Do I Open an Account?
(Separate Website)
There is help!There are many people ready to talk with you about how to open a checking or savings
account. Ask someone who has opened an
account for advice.
By: Appleseed Foundation
Identification Needed for an Account
(Separate Website)
When you open a checking or savings
account, you will be asked to provide your
name, date of birth, current address, and an
acceptable ID number which can come from
one of the following:
? Social Security card;
? Matricula Consular or other
consular ID card;
? Passport (U.S. or foreign); OR
? Temporary resident permit or Alien
Identification Card.
By: Appleseed Foundation
Protecting Yourself from Overdraft and Bounced-Check Fees
(Separate Website)
This website explains the best ways to avoid overdraft and bounced-check fees
By: The Federal Reserve Board
Sending Money Back Home
(Separate Website)
The cost of sending money includes both
the fee AND the exchange rate offered on the
day money is wired. A favorable exchange rate
can mean that more of your money reaches
your family back home.
To find the lowest price, call or visit three
or four local banks, credit unions or wire
services on the same day you plan to send the
money. Compare exchange rates and
fees. Not everyone will give exchange rate
information over the phone, but many will.
By: Appleseed Foundation
South Carolina Bad Check Law
(Separate Website)
Lawline FAQ: If a person pays for goods or services with a check and that check is then dishonored by the bank on which it is written, you may be able to collect on the check by proceeding under the so-called South Carolina Bad Check law.
By: South Carolina Bar Association
What You Should Know about Your Checks
(Separate Website)
An informative resource on checks.
By: The Federal Reserve Board
When Is Your Check Not a Check? Electronic Check Conversion
(Separate Website)
Suppose you’re at a store making a purchase and decide to pay by check—at least, that’s what you believe you’re doing. The clerk asks you for a check that is completely filled out, partially filled out, or even blank. The clerk then runs the check through a machine and hands the voided check back to you with your receipt. What just happened? Did you pay by check? Why did the clerk return the check to you? The answer is, you just experienced electronic check conversion. The following questions and answers explain how electronic check conversion works and what your rights are as a consumer.
By: Federal Reserve Board
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 Cards and Charge Accounts
(Separate Website)
Lawline FAQ: A credit card is a convenience which lets the consumer buy goods and services without having to carry cash and checkbooks. This plastic card represents the legal agreement you have with a creditor such as a department store or bank.
By: South Carolina Bar Association
Don't Pay to Borrow Your Own Money: The Risks and Costs of Tax Refund Anticipation Loans
(Separate Website)
How would you like to pay a super-high price to borrow money that already belongs to you? Sounds ridiculous, right? But that's pretty much what happens to many folks at tax time. You may be tempted by tax-time advertisements for "Fast Cash Refunds," "Express Money" or "Instant Refunds." Beware! Many of these "fast refunds" are really LOANS, refund anticipation loans, with extremely high interest rates!
By: National Consumer Law Center
Building Wealth: A Beginner's Guide to Your Financial Future
(Separate Website)
Building Wealth: A Beginner's Guide to Securing Your Financial Future offers introductory guidance to individuals and families seeking help to develop a plan for building personal wealth. While a comprehensive discussion of accounting, finance and investment options is beyond the scope of this workbook, it presents an overview of personal wealth-building strategies.
By: Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
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
Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages
(Separate Website)
With a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest stays the same during the life of the loan. But with an Adjustable Rate Mortgage, the interest rate changes periodically, and your payments may go up or down. This brochure helps you to understand Adjustable Rate Mortgages.
By: Federal Reserve Board
How to File a Consumer Complaint about a Bank
(Separate Website)
If you have a complaint about a bank or other financial institution, the Federal Reserve System might be able to help you. The Federal Reserve is responsible for carrying out many of the federal laws that protect consumers in their dealings with financial institutions. We can help individual consumers by: (1) Answering questions about banking practices, and (2) Investigating complaints about specific banks under our supervisory jurisdiction.
By: Federal Reserve Board
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