- Debt Consolidation Services (Free Debt Consolidation and Debt Management Services)
- Lists eight debt consolidation services. Also includes debt management services in another location. 12-02
- Debt Management and Consolidation Services (Free Debt Consolidation and Debt Management Services)
- Provides "User's Choices" of debt management and debt consolidation services. 12-02
- Personal Finance (Awesome Library)
- Provides online information on personal credit and financial planning.
- -10-01-15 New Chip-Based Credit Card Safety (CBS News)
- "Because the chip is actually a small microprocessor, the card reader activates it, encrypts the transaction information and generates a secure code to authorize the purchase. All this happens without the card reader being connected via a telecom line or a wireless connection. That keeps your card's information off merchants' servers and off their wireless networks, thus preventing the data-skimming technique fraudsters have commonly used to steal customer data from major retailers such as Target (TGT), Walmart (WMT) and Home Depot (HD)."
"Chip-based cards can use either a PIN or a signature for authentication. So-called chip-and-PIN cards require you to enter a PIN to complete the transaction. Debit cards use this process in the U.S. as do most credit cards issued outside the U.S. If one of these cards is lost or stolen, it's impossible to use without the correct PIN." 10-15
- -10-09-05 Why Going Broke Is Common (MSNBC News)
- "Bankruptcy has become little more than a few months in purgatory, rather than the seven-year ache -- and lifelong disgrace -- it once was." 10-05
- -10-17-05 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (BankRate.com)
- "The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act was passed in 1977 to protect consumers from abusive debt collectors. Here's a closer look at the rules a third-party debt collector must follow when collecting a debt."
"Any debt collector who threatens to sue you over a debt that is beyond the statute of limitations in your state is in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act." 10-05
- -10-17-05 Statute of Limitations for Debt by State (BankRate.com)
- "Once a debt passes beyond the statute of limitations in your state, a debt collector no longer has the right to sue you for payment. You may still have a moral obligation to pay back an old, forgotten debt, but you can't be sued over it."
"Any debt collector who threatens to sue you over a debt that is beyond the statute of limitations in your state is in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act." 10-05
- Annual Credit Reports (AnnulCreditReport.com)
- Provides free credit reports once per year. 11-09
- Credit Myths (Kielsky)
- Discusses myths regarding credit reports, such as that paying off a collection will cause it to be removed from your record. 12-02
- Credit Rating (TrueCredit.com)
- Provides your credit rating for a fee. Awesome Library does not endorse this service but provides it as an example.
- Credit Repair (Kielsky)
- Discusses credit repair. 12-02
- Credit Reports - Clearinghouse for Privacy Information (PrivacyRights.org)
- "The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) covers reports about your overall financial health. Credit reports allow a lender to see whether you pay your bills on time, have filed for bankruptcy, have an outstanding judgment or collection action against you."
"However, despite its name, the Fair Credit Reporting Act covers a lot more than simply credit reports. Credit reports are just one of a broader category of consumer reports covered by the FCRA." 12-04
- Credit Reports - What You Need to Know (MSNBC News)
- "Now, a new federal law gives Americans the right to see their own data for free once a year, giving them an opportunity to correct maddening, and potentially damaging, data mistakes." 12-04
- Credit Score Killers (CNN News)
- "As banks shy away from making risky consumer loans, a mediocre credit history just won't cut it anymore. To get the best rates on mortgages, credit cards and auto loans, you need a killer score." 03-10
- Debt Collectors Sued (Time.com)
- "Two of the nation's largest debt collectors, who were accused of harassing and misleading consumers, agreed to the settlement without admitting wrongdoing."
"San Diego-based Encore Capital Group and Virginia-based Portfolio Recovery Associates are accused of pressuring consumers with false statements and churning out lawsuits using robo-signed court documents by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau." 09-15
- Establishing and Maintaining a Good Credit Rating (Credit-Land.com)
- Provides papers that discuss how to establish and maintain a good credit rating. 1-03
- Freeze Your Credit Reports If Your Identity Is Stolen (MSN)
- "Anyone can put a fraud alert on their credit reports, but a freeze goes farther -- if your state offers it." 11-05
- Illegal Creditor Actions (Kielsky)
- Lists 16 illegal actions a creditor is not allowed to take. 12-02
- Rogue Debt Collectors (CNN News)
- "If you've faced a financial catastrophe -- an illness or job layoff -- and you've fallen behind on some bills, you're well aware that debt collectors are eager to collect those payments."
"But some collectors go over the line, threatening to have the person arrested, making improper bank withdrawals, intimidating people and making harassing phone calls." 03-08
- Steps to Improve Your Credit Rating (AmericanLoanSearch.com)
- Describes steps that may improve your credit rating. Suggests how challenging a negative entry on your credit report can cause the entry to be removed. 12-02
- Ways to Raise Your Credit Card Score (Time.com)
- "Your payment history makes up 35 percent of your score, so this is crucial." 07-11
- Credit Report (Equifax)
- Provides credit reports for a fee. 11-09
- Credit Report (Experian)
- Provides credit reports for a fee. 11-09
- Credit Report Online - Three in One (ConsumerInfo.com)
- Combines the reports from all three major credit rating bureaus into one online report. Claims that reports are available within a minute. Costs about 35 dollars. 12-02