Article

Cover Sheet

1

Index

2

Introduction

4

Advertisements Promoting Debt Relief May Be Offering Bankruptcy

5

Buying, Giving, and Using Gift Cards

7

Credit Card Loss Protection Offers: They're the Real Steal                

9

Credit Insurance: Is It For You?

Financial Readiness: As Critical as Fully Charged Batteries

How to Be the Class ‘Value-dictorian’                                                    

Just When You Thought It Was Safe...Advance-Fee Loan "Sharks"           

Knee Deep in Debt

Payday Loans = Costly Cash

The Secrets of Mystery Shopping Revealed

Shopping for a Home Equity Loan?

FACTS for CONSUMERS

A Consumer's Guide to E-Payments

Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud

Before You File for Personal Bankruptcy: Information About
 Credit Counseling and Debtor Education

Billed for Merchandise You Never Received? Here's What To Do.

Building a Better Credit Report

Check 21: Substitute Checks, Electronic Processing, and What It Means to You

Choosing and Using Credit Cards

Cosigning a Loan

Credit, ATM and Debit Cards: What to do if They Are Lost or Stolen

Credit and Divorce

Credit and Debit Card Blocking

Credit and Your Consumer Rights

The Credit Practices Rule

Need Credit or Insurance? Your Credit Score Helps Determine What You’ll Pay

Electronic Banking

Electronic Check Conversion

Equal Credit Opportunity

Fair Credit Billing

Fair Debt Collection

FISCAL FITNESS

Choosing a Credit Counselor

For People on Debt Management Plans: A Must-Do List

Getting Credit What You Need To Know

Getting Credit When You Are Over 62

Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams

Gold and Platinum Cards

Prescreened Offers of Credit and Insurance

Secured Credit Card Marketing Scams

The Truth About Advance-Fee Loan Scams

Understanding Vehicle Financing

Utility Credit

CREDIT REPORTS SECTION

Want a Free Annual Credit Report?

Bogus July 1 Email Exposed: The Real Deal on Your Credit File Privacy

Fake Credit Report Sites: Cashing in on Your Personal Information

Negative Credit Can Squeeze a Job Search

Shopping For a Mortgage? Your Application May Trigger Competing Offers

Buying a Home: It’s a Big Deal

IDENTITY THEFT

About Identify Theft

Recovering From Identify Theft

Minimize Your Risk

Detect Identity Theft

Filing a Complaint With The FTC

Resolving Specific Identify Theft Problems

Tools For Victims

Consumer Publications

Classic Cons

A Crook Has Drained Your Account: Who Pays?

Your Wallet: A Loser’s Manual