Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 6 resources
Borrower Beware: The High Cost of Small Loans, Pawn Brokers and Rent-to-Own Stores
(Separate Website)
This brochure explains how you can end up paying a lot more than you expect using these types of services.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
,
Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Don't Borrow Trouble: Helping People to Avoid Predatory Lending Practices
(Separate Website)
We’ve all seen the aggressive marketing campaigns for refinance and home equity loans. They may seem tempting but they may not be the best financing alternative – they could even risk a family’s financial health, a home’s equity and the stability of a neighborhood. Knowledge is protection – learning about refinancing and the mortgage process puts the power to protect both home and family in the homeowner's hands.
By: Freddie Mac's Web Site
Foreclosure/Forfeiture
If you fall behind in your monthly house payments the seller or lender may try to take your house back. This is generally called foreclosure. If your house is foreclosed you may lose not only your house, but also all of the money you have invested in it.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Home Equity Loans: Borrower Beware!
(Separate Website)
Do you own your home? If so, it's likely to be your greatest single asset. Unfortunately, if you agree to a loan that's based on the equity you have in your home, you may be putting your most valuable asset at risk.
Payday Loans: What to do if You Get Caught in the Debt Trap
A payday loan is a short-term, high-cost loan that must be paid back on or before your next payday, whether your income is from employment or government benefits. Payday loans are made by storefront lenders, check cashers, pawn shops, credit unions, and Internet-based providers.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Smart Borrowing TV: How to Make Wise Borrowing Decisions
A series of short videos that cover the topics of borrowing fundamentals, credit cards, payday loans, auto loans, mortgages and mortgage refininancing
By: Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS)
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
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(Separate Website)
