Individual

What are your obligations if you decide to cosign on a loan for a friend or relative?

Answers commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which requires that debt collectors treat you fairly and prohibits certain methods of debt collection.

This article provides hints and tips for shopping for a used car. It includes a checklist and explains your rights when buying from a dealer or a private party. It also offers buying tips and resources if you have problems after the sale.

When it comes to dealing with debt, you have options. Find out what you can do, and get tips for avoiding scams.

A new car is second only to a home as the most expensive purchase many consumers make. That’s why it’s important to know how to make a smart deal. This article provides tips to help you with the purchase. It explains commonly used industry terms, and it provides a worksheet to help you negotiate on price.

This article provides information on obtaining a free copy of your credit report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – once every 12 months. It also provides guidance on disputing incorrect information on your reports.

You've probably been receiving privacy notices from banks and other financial companies. This article explains the federal law that require the notices and that protect your financial privacy. These laws give you the right to stop (opt out of) some sharing of your personal financial information. The laws also require that you will receive privacy notices from your financial institutions.

If you don’t make timely payments on the vehicle, your creditor may have the right to “repossess” — or take back your car without going to court or warning you in advance. Your creditor also may be able to sell your contract to a third party who may have the same right to seize the car as the original creditor. This website discusses the requirements for seizing and reselling your car for nonpayment. It explains deficiency - the difference between what you owe on your loan and what your creditor gets for reselling your car.

This special edition of FDIC Consumer News puts special focus on staying focused and avoiding costly decisions during major life events.

Your liability for fraudulent credit card charges is $50, but that doesn’t stop scam artists from peddling “loss protection” services.