| |
| Resources and References |
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Southern WV - brochure
- Consumer credit counseling services help people solve their financial and debt problems through counseling and educational programs. Under new federal law, in order to file a bankruptcy one must first seek assistance from a consumer credit counseling agency. Learn more here about this particular agency in the southern part of West Virginia.
Other Topics:
Debt Management Counseling
|
Credit Cards: What You Need to Know - brochure
- This guide can help you learn the different types of cards that are available; sorth through offers and choose the card that's right for you; understand credit card terms and conditions; and avoid fees and penalty rates. Created by "Consumer Action" and American Express Company.
|
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
- Link to information for consumers regarding Credit Reports, under the federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. Written by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a nonpofit consumer information and advocacy organization.
|
Getting Professional Assistance With Your Debt Problems
- Link to the web site of the national Consumer Law Center for this excerpt from their excellent book “Guide to Surviving Debt.” Learn more about finding the right lawyer, or working with a good credit counselor.
Also available:
 Order a copy of “Guide to Surviving Debt”
Other Topics:
Consumer
Collection/Repossession
Loans
|
Guide to Surviving Debt - Book
- Link to the web site of the National Consumer Law Center for information about the Fifth Edition (2006)of their book "Guide to Surviving Debt." US News & World Report called it "A gold mine on topics like how to handle collectors, which debts to pay first, and how collection lawsuits work." The book costs $20.00.
Other Topics:
Consumer
Collection/Repossession
Loans
|
Improve Your Credit - brochure
- Depending on how serious your past or present credit problems are, it may take time and patience to establish good credit. Learn more about how to build good credit with this brochure. Written by "Consumer Action" and the American Express Company.
Other Topics:
Financial Literacy
Credit Access
|
Money Matters - "Women and The Law" 2007 Edition
- This chapter of Women and the Law: A Legal Rights Handbook, Online Edition, gives women information about matters that affect their finances. Topics included are the importance of obtaining and keeping good credit; identity theft; consumer protection laws, including the “lemon law”; automobile, health, homeowners, and life insurance; pensions; and taxes, among them federal income, West Virginia income, gift, estate, and property taxes. Produced by the Women’s Commission and the Women Lawyers Committee of the WV State Bar.
Other Topics:
Insurance
Credit Access
Consumer
Income Taxes
Taxation
Pensions
Women & The Law
|
Protect Your Credit - FTC information
- Check out the web site of the Federal Trade Commission, focusing on consumer credit issues. Credit cards, consumer loans, avoiding charge card frauds, and many other topics.
Other Topics:
Credit Access
|
Recognizing Credit Card Fraud - brochure
- Learn more about the various types of credit card fraud. How to recognize it when it's happening to you. What to do if it's happening to you. How to protect yourself against it. Written by "Consumer Action" and the Providian credit reporting company.
|
Sixteen Rules About Which Debt to Pay First
- Link to the web site of the national Consumer Law Center for this excerpt from their excellent book “Guide to Surviving Debt.” Guidance about how to set “debt priorities” that will be best for you and your family.
Also available:
 Order a copy of “Guide to Surviving Debt”
Other Topics:
Collection/Repossession
Loans
Consumer
|
The Truth About Credit Reports & Credit Repair Companies - brochure
- Brochure of information from the National Consumer Law Center, describing steps you can take to protect or repair your credit report rating, and common myths and scams involving credit reports. This is a link to the web site of the National Consumer Law Center.
Also available:
 Spanish version
|
Web site - Consumers Union - Credit Reports and Identity Theft
- Web site maintained by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. These pages are focused on issues relating to Credit Reports, and also to Identity Theft.
Other Topics:
Privacy/Identity Theft
|
Web site - PIRG - Credit Reports and Identity Theft
- Web site maintained by the "Public Interest Research Group," with information and links to other useful sites. Addresses both problems relating to Credit Reports, and Identity Theft issues.
Other Topics:
Privacy/Identity Theft
|
Your Rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Click here for information from the US Federal Trade Commission about consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This law controls what kind of information can be collected about you; gives you the right to see your credit file; the right to correct erroneous information in your credit file; and many other aspects.
|
