Washington LawHelp

Managing money

Legal Information

• Avoiding Scams - Information for Recent Refugees and Immigrants

  Have you recently arrived in United States? Whether you’re looking for a job, going through the immigration process, or just figuring out how things work, it’s important to be able to spot scams. Use the resources on this page to help you spot, avoid and report scams – and find the right kind of help. Read More

  By:

  Federal Trade Commission

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Credit and Debit Card Scams

  0810EN - General information about credit and debit card scams: how to avoid them and what to do if you think you are a victim. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Know Your Rights: Banking

  0112EN - Information about why you would want to open a bank account, what identification is needed and what happens if you leave the country. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• New Taxpayers: Basic Info

  0906EN - If you are new to the United States and/or you are just starting your first job, this resource provides general information about taxes, what they are used for, and how to pay them. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Payday Loans: What to do if You Get Caught in the Debt Trap

  0600EN - 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. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Prioritizing Debt: Which Bills do I Pay First?

  0110EN - General information about which bills you should pay first when you are having trouble paying all of your debts. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Laotian / ພາສາລາວ

  Russian / Pусский

  Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt

  Chinese / 中文

• Selecting financial products and services

  If you’re trying to decide which financial services are right for you, this guide provides information about common transactions, including ATM cash withdrawals and debit card purchases. Read More

  By:

  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Ways to pay your bills

  Are you trying to decide whether to pay your rent by check or credit card? Take a look at this guide to compare the benefits and risks of paying regular and one-time bills by check or money order, by direct debit, online, or in cash. Read More

  By:

  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Ways to receive your money

  Have you received a paycheck but aren’t sure whether to cash it or put it into a bank account? This guide provides information about receiving wages or payments. You can use this guide to compare the benefits and risks of getting paid in cash, with a check, by direct deposit, or on a card. Read More

  By:

  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Your Money, Your Goals: Focus on Reentry

  The Focus on Reentry toolkit provides frontline staff and volunteers with information and tools to help justice-involved individuals deal with financial challenges. Read More

  By:

  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

• Youth: Taking Care of Your Credit

  4905EN - A clean credit history is the first step toward a lifetime of financial health. Credit reports and the credit scores you get from them are the main information sources that will determine the credit you can get (example: what size student loan you can take out and its interest rate), eligibility for housing, and some work opportunities. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project