Abusive Financial Practices
Information about a number of abusive practices, including signs of predatory lending, tax refund loans, and credit card abuses.
Avoiding Predatory Lenders
Comprehensive information about predatory loans, including signs of predatory lending.
Bankruptcy Basics
General facts about D.C. bankruptcy laws, including information about deciding whether to file, how to file and alternatives to bankruptcy.
Consumer Complaint Form
An online form to submit a consumer complaint to the D.C. Office of the Attorney General. The Office of the Attorney General does not represent individual consumers; however, the information you submit will help them determine whether there is a pattern or practice by a business that warrants investigation or possible legal action.
Consumer Information on Homes & Mortgages from the Federal Trade Commission
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, and (4) mortgage discrimination. You may view the documents on-line and print them out or print them in PDF format.
Credit Reports
Information about credit reports -- what they're used for, how to correct mistakes, and how to get free reports.
Dealing with Debt
Information about fair debt collection practices, fair credit reporting, credit repair, and how to avoid scams that target people in debt.
Fact Sheet: Know Your Rights With Credit
As a DC consumer, you have rights when dealing with debt collectors and credit. To protect those rights when they are threatened, it is important that you act or get help. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
FAQ: Know Your Rights with Credit
As a DC consumer, you have rights when dealing with debt collectors and credit. To protect those rights when they are threatened, it is important that you act or get help. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind.
File a Complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
If you have a problem with a bank, credit card company, or other financial institution, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal agency created in the wake of the 2008-09 financial crisis to protect consumer rights.
File A Consumer Complaint
Tips for consumers and a link to file a consumer complaint in DC.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Home Foreclosure
This FAQ provides general information about how a D.C. resident’s bankruptcy filing affects the foreclosure of homes in the District of Columbia. This FAQ does not apply to rental or investment properties or to any home that is not used as the bankruptcy filer’s primary residence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Loans
Information about how to obtain student loans, repayment requirements, and what do do if you cannot repay your loans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Utility Bills and Bankruptcy
These FAQs discuss how filing bankruptcy can impact your household utilities if you are behind on your bills.
How does the COVID-19 crisis affect my bankruptcy case?
On March 17, 2020, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued a standing order related to COVID-19 that covers both itself and the Bankruptcy Court. The primary points of the order are contained addressed.
Information About Credit Counseling and Courses for Debtors
Information about how to choose a trustworthy credit counseling program.
Information about 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 repaying your creditors, or an error is made on your accounts, you may be contacted by a "debt collector." Many people are unable to pay their debts on time, and debt is not always within your control. A federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, requires that debt collectors treat you fairly, and doesn't allow certain kinds of debt collection. Of course, the law does not erase any legitimate debt you owe. In addition to the federal law, D.C. has its own debt collection law, D.C. Code §28-3814.
Payday Lending
A comprehesive reosurce on the practice of payday lending, including links to frequently asked questions and a list of nine signs of a predatory payday loan.
Protecting Your Disability Benefits from Creditors
Brief information on obtaining benefits and step-by-step information on how to protect your benefits from creditors.
Reverse Mortgages
A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in your home. With a reverse mortgage, you can turn the value of your home into cash and not have to make monthly repayments. The total loan must be paid back when the last surviving borrower dies, sells the home, or permanently moves away. Reverse mortgages are quite a bit different from other types of debt. These loans can be complicated, and you have a lot at stake. So be sure to investigate reverse mortgages carefully before deciding if one makes sense for you.
Student Aid Information
General information about repayment, payment relief, disputes and other frequently asked questions, including a scam alert.
Wage Garnishment
A link to DC's law about garnishment, including the limits on how much can be taken out of your paycheck.