Identity Theft & Scams
- FBI- Common Fraud SchemesFBI's list of popular money scams
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - Frauds, Scams and AlertsDetailed types of telephone scams to be aware of
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Scam AlertLatest money scams or browse by topic
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - Fraud and ScamFeatures resources that help explain the basics of fraud and define key terms, as well as how-to guides
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Privacy, Identity & Online SecurityResources and tips on protecting your privacy and identity online
- FTC - Identity TheftDirections on how to report identity theft; also features a recovery plan and FTC supported forms and letter used to recover after identity theft
Credit Bureaus
A credit bureau is a company that collects account information from credit issuers, banks and public records and gives that information to you, the consumer, in the form of a credit report. Credit bureaus are essentially data gatherers. While it can feel a little intrusive to have your information collected and shared, this data reporting actually invites transparency. It also provides opportunities to see what banks and other lenders are seeing when they render a decision with regard to your creditworthiness. So, it’s important to have your financial information available to the bureaus.
-From Chase.com
- ExperianThis is the largest credit bureau, maintaining credit information for over 220 million consumers in the U.S. Unlike the other credit bureaus, Experian collects rental payment data from landlords who report this information.
- TransUnionTransUnion gathers information on over 1 billion consumers in over 30 countries across the globe. This company weighs your payment history and credit age more so than the other two credit bureaus.
- EquifaxSecond-largest credit bureau after Experian. While Equifax also uses the FICO scoring model, their own range is slightly different.
- ChexSystemsProvides account verification services primarily for financial institutions. Collects and reports data on checking account applications, openings, and closures, including reasons for account closure.
Credit Alerts and Freezes
- FTC Consumer Advice: What To Know About Credit Freezes and Fraud AlertsCredit freezes and fraud alerts can protect you from identity theft or prevent further misuse of your personal information if it was stolen. Some options are fraud alerts, credit freezes (restricts access to your credit report), extended fraud alerts (available to people who have had their identity stolen and completed an FTC identity theft report), and active duty alerts (for active duty service members).
Consumer Protection Organizations
- Center for Digital Democracy (CDD)Promotes openness and diversity of the Internet; encourages the development of noncommercial, public interest programming
- Consumer Federation of America (CFA)Advocacy organization working to advance pro-consumer policy on a variety of issues
- Consumers UnionPublisher of Consumer Reports; independent, nonprofit testing and information organization serving consumers
- National Consumers LeaguePromotes the welfare of consumers, wage earners, and income recipients least able to protect themselves
- U.S. Public Interest Research GroupActs as a watchdog for the public interest in the nation's capital
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | Protecting America's ConsumersThe FTC's mission is to protect consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices through law enforcement, advocacy, and education without unduly burdening legitimate business activity.
- State Consumer Protection OfficesFind your state's consumer protection office.
