If you're facing foreclosure, scammers may try to take advantage of you and falsely promise to save your home. Listen to the stories of homeowners who were deceived by foreclosure rescue scams.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has information about how to protect yourself from mortgage modification and foreclosure rescue scams.
There are things you should know before you contract to have a home built, or for home repairs or remodeling. Georgia law protects consumers when they hire a building contractor.
If you apply for a mortgage or personal loan, you may be asked if you want to buy credit insurance, or it may be included in your loan proposal. Credit insurance protects the loan in case you can't make your payments, and it is optional; you don't have to buy it. It's against the law for a lender to include credit insurance or other optional products in your loan without your knowledge or permission. Read more
The FTC is the nation’s consumer protection agency. If a business doesn’t make good on its promises or cheats you out of your money, the FTC wants to know.
Want to make choices that are good for the environment and your wallet, when you shop? Learn how to question green advertising claims, shop for products that use less energy, and save gas without wasting your money.
Choosing a home heating fuel company for next winter and beyond should not be a last-minute decision. Before you sign on for the first time with a fuel company, check the contract terms and company registration.
When you consider a home equity loan or credit line, shop around and compare loan plans offered by banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Shopping can help you get a better deal.
If you own a home, it’s likely to be your most valuable asset. If you take out a loan based on the equity you have in your home, you may be putting that valuable asset at risk. Read more.
If you were solicited and signed a contract for more than $25 at your home, or away from the contractor’s regular place of business, Wisconsin law allows you three business days to cancel. Read more.
Lawn care services perform some of the time-consuming and complicated tasks of lawn maintenance. Sometimes you must sign expensive and long-term contracts to hire a company. It's important to know exactly what you want from a lawn care firm. Read more
People who contribute labor or materials to improve a new or existing home are allowed to file a claim of lien against the home if they do not get paid. Read about what to know before you buy or renovate a home.
When mortgage lenders consider your loan application, they look at the principal, interest, taxes, insurance and your income to evaluate your ability to repay the loan. The FINRA Investor Education Foundation’s tutorial will help you calculate how much house you can afford. Learn more
The federal Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) rule and state law make it illegal for companies to collect any fees until a homeowner has actually received an offer of relief from the lender and accepted it. Read more.
The success of your move within Maryland or the Washington, D.C. area depends on how well you prepare. There are federal regulations for interstate moves (from state to state or outside a Metropolitan area) but few laws that specifically address intrastate moving (within a state). In this situation, take special care to protect yourself.
Montgomery County law requires new-home builders to be licensed before contracting to build a new home and to provide certain warranties on the home covered by the contract. Read more.
Have you received a letter offering to get you a certified copy of the deed to your house? Learn how to get the deed yourself before you decide whether to pay a private company to get it for you.
Hunting for a house or apartment to rent can be an adventure, and a balancing act. There's a lot to consider, like size, location, move-in date, monthly rent, parking, and utility bills. The FTC wants you to know how to avoid a rental scam.
Do you need a place to store your things temporarily? A self-service storage facility may be the answer to your problems. Before renting, get these tips from the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Do you know if your homeowner’s insurance covers losses caused by floods or other disasters? Learn how to understand your policy and how you may able to improve your coverage in Seven Things All Homeowners Should Know About Their Homeowners Insurance Policies, tips from the Consumer Federation of America and United Policyholders™.
A generator may be able to save food in your refrigerator during a prolonged outage, keep your home office running, or power essential equipment. Generators can be expensive and noisy, and pose serious safety hazards to you and to others. Please follow all safety instructions provided by the manufacturer. Read more
Florida Attorney General Bondi entered a landmark $25 billion joint federal-state agreement with the nation's five largest mortgage servicers over foreclosure abuses and unacceptable nationwide mortgage servicing practices. Read more
If you're thinking about paying for a timeshare or vacation plan, the Federal Trade Commission says it’s a good idea to do some homework. You could end up having a hard time selling your timeshare. Read more
Before moving your goods, movers must give you a pamphlet called "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." It provides basic information to help you understand the documents the mover will ask you to sign. Read more.
