Consumer Credit Help
This site will provide you with recommendations on improving your credit and credit score, whether you are shopping for a mortgage, auto or consumer loan.
The resources on this site will help you to become better informed and provide you with a long term plan to maintain a good credit standing and/or improve your credit.
Where to Start
- NEW! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers many FREE publications on Credit Reports and Scoring; including how to build a better credit report, deal with debt, spot credit-related scams and much more.
- You should first consider getting a copy of your credit report. You can obtain a FREE credit report from each bureau once per calendar year at www.annualcreditreport.com.
- The FCRA provides you the right to "Opt Out", which prevents your credit information from being offer or sold to other companies not initiated by you
- Learn more about The Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Avoid foreclosure with tips from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
How to Contact the Credit Bureaus
Equifax |
Experian |
Transunion |
How to Freeze and Unfreeze Your Credit
| How to Temporarily lift a Credit Freeze |  |
| About Security Freezes | |
Secured Credit Card
Secured credit cards are a great option for people with poor, limited or no credit and are having difficulty in obtaining an unsecured credit card.
- Secured credit cards offer an alternative to unsecured credit cards, which involve more significant qualifications and requirements (e.g.: existing income, no track record of poor credit, etc)
- Secured cards provide full credit card functionality and assist in building credit history and/or improving credit score since payment activity is reported to the three major credit reporting agencies
Who should consider a secured credit card?
- Individuals who currently have or have had credit problems in the past and are therefore looking to improve their credit since it is often difficult for these individuals to receive approval for an unsecured credit card
- Recent immigrants or International applicants living in the US or abroad who are looking to establish credit in the US
- Students with a lack of credit history and want to increase their good credit, which can also be a great tool for budgeting school expenses.
Additional Consumer Resources
Mortgage Bankers Association of America - is the preeminent association representing the real estate finance industry.
Consumer Information Center - a one-stop source for answers to questions about consumer problems and government services.
American Bankers Association - the ABA brings together all categories of banking institutions, including community, regional and money center banks and holding companies, as well as savings associations, trust companies and savings banks.
Federal Trade Commission - the Commission seeks to ensure that the nation's markets function competitively, and are vigorous, efficient, and free of undue restrictions.
Fannie Mae - a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) chartered by Congress with a mission to provide liquidity and stability to the U.S. housing and mortgage markets.
Freddie Mac - mission is to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the housing market.
Fair Isaac - leading provider of analytics and decision management technology
Debt Collection FAQ's - A Guide for Consumers