Consumer and Finance Information

Consumer Information

Maryland
http://www.oag.state.md.us/consumer/

Federal Government
http://www.consumer.gov/

American Consumer Credit Counseling
http://www.consumercredit.com/?source=google_top_terms_2

Consumer Credit Counseling Service
http://www.moneymanagement.org/

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Washington
http://www.cccswdc.org/

Credit-Federal Trade Commission
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm

Genus Credit Management
http://www.genus.org/

National Credit Reporting Association
http://www.ncrainc.org/consumers/index.htm

National Foundation for Credit Counseling
http://www.nfcc.org/index.cfm

National Fraud Information
http://www.fraud.org/

ID Theft - Federal Trade Commission website
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Plan Well, Retire Well - University of Illinois Extension
http://www.retirewell.uiuc.edu/

Planning for a Secure Retirement - Purdue Extension
http://www.ces.purdue.edu/retirement/

WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE YOUR PURSE OR WALLET:

As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for them is additional stress you WON'T need!).

File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction were it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation.

But here's what is perhaps most important: Which you might never thought to do.....

Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and SS#. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
Equifax 1-800 525-6285

Experian (formerly TRW) 1-800-301-7195

Trans Union 1-800-680-7289

Social Security Administration also has a fraud line: 1-800-269-0271

If you have been turned down for a loan or credit card, check your credit report; If you suspect identity theft, check your credit report: The three credit reporting agency websites are:

Equifax -- http://www.equifax.com/

Experian -- http://www.experian.com/

Transunion -- http://www.transunion.com/

Tips to Help Prevent Credit Fraud and Identity Theft

STOMP OUT IDENTIFY THEFT
http://www.bankrate.com/dls/news/special/20030822a1.asp

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT!
http://www.identitytheft.org/

For more information, contact Linda Smith

Last updated: 11/6/2009