Bankruptcy Basics
General facts about D.C. bankruptcy laws, including information about deciding whether to file, how to file and alternatives to bankruptcy.
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.
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.
