Warning signs that borrowing terms deserve a closer look.
Predatory lending describes unfair or abusive lending practices that can obscure costs or exploit borrowers.
Credit Repair Choices
financial protection
Why payday-loan rules and costs vary by state.
Payday loans are short-term loans that can carry high costs and may be regulated differently by each state.
How the FTC fits into consumer financial protection.
The Federal Trade Commission enforces consumer-protection laws and publishes guidance about scams and identity theft.
What the CFPB does for consumers.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau supervises parts of the consumer-finance market and accepts consumer complaints.
The law that bars discrimination in credit decisions.
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits credit discrimination based on protected characteristics.
Why lenders must disclose key borrowing costs.
The Truth in Lending Act requires standardized disclosures for many consumer credit costs and terms.
What federal debt-collection rules actually cover.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act limits certain conduct by third-party debt collectors and gives consumers specific rights.
The federal law behind your credit-report rights.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates how consumer reporting information is collected, used, and corrected.