Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email: Where to Go To "Just Say No"
by Federal Trade Commission
Tired of having your mailbox crammed with unsolicited mail, including pre-approved credit card applications? Fed up with getting telemarketing calls just as you're sitting down to dinner? Fuming that your email inbox is chock-full of unsolicited advertising? The good news is that you can...
How to File a Consumer Complaint About a Bank
by Federal Reserve
As a federal regulatory agency, the Federal Reserve System investigates consumer complaints received against state chartered banks that are members of the System. If you think a bank has been unfair or deceptive in its dealings with you, or has violated a law or regulation, as a consumer you have the right to file a complaint. The major consumer protection laws covering...
Phony Tax Forms Result in Identity Theft
by Cindy Hockenberry
A rash of fake IRS forms, along with an official-looking letter from a bank have recently fooled many taxpayers into providing personal information under false pretenses. The IRS has received several reports of this latest scam surfacing nationwide. Dozens of U.S. and foreign taxpayers have been identified so far. In this scam, a letter claiming...
TLPJ Files National Credit Cardholder Class Action Against Chevy Chase Bank
by Trial Lawyers For Public Justice
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (TLPJ) has filed a national class action lawsuit against Chevy Chase Bank charging that the bank breached its contracts with cardholders by raising their interest rates in excess of a promised 24 percent ceiling. After years of promising in its agreement that "your annual percentage rate will never exceed 24 percent," the bank tried to amend the agreement without the legally required notice -- and then began charging up to 27 percent.
BATTLE WITH CHEVY CHASE BANK
by Trial Lawyers For Public Justice
Maryland's highest court ruled unanimously on March 8 that the plaintiffs in TLPJ's national class action lawsuit against Chevy Chase Bank cannot be deprived of their constitutional right to a jury trial and their right to bring a class action.
Payday Loans = Costly Cash
by Federal Trade Commission
I just need enough cash to tide me over until payday. "GET CASH UNTIL PAYDAY! . . . $100 OR MORE . . . FAST." The ads are on the radio, television, the Internet, even in the mail. They refer to payday loans - which come at a very high price.
STONEWALLED: THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY
by Craig Kimmel
Dear Craig: I purchased a new Mazda Protege. Around 32K I noticed a knocking sound in the front axle/wheel base when making right turns. I took the car to the dealership on 5 occasions but the problem was not remedied. An independent Mazda mechanic said that the factory had built a faulty front axle and that Mazda should replace it under the 50K warranty. My trip to the mechanics took me over the 50K mileage. I went back to the dealership (two more occasions) but got stonewalled; they refused to honor the warranty...
Home Equity Scams Quiz
by Richard Crammer
While many subprime lenders are reputable, some unscrupulous subprime lenders make costly home-secured loans to consumers who are unable to repay them, subjecting such consumers to refinancing with additional high or unfair fees and charges and possible loss of their homes through foreclosure or forcing an undesired sale. Take the quiz to test your knowledge of Home-Equity Scams.
Credit Repair and Reporting Quiz
by Richard Crammer
Credit Repair Scams abound today. Every time you turn on the TV or read a newspaper it seems that someone is promising to improve your credit rating. Take this quiz to improve your awareness of credit repair scams, and don't get ripped off.
Messed Up Car Lease
by Craig Kimmel
Dear DebtSmart, I have a 2000 Ford Windstar van. I currently owe $20,150.00. My payments are $449 a month. At the time I took on these payments I could handle it, but now I cannot. I have tried to trade the van in on a cheaper vehicle, like a 10,000 or 11,000 vehicle. But the car dealers always come back telling me they can't do it unless I could put 3 or 4 thousand down. I already put 5 thousand down when I bought it! And now they want 3 or 4 more! NO WAY. Any suggestions? --Messed up in Texas
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