Defend Your Dollars http://www.defendyourdollars.org/ Defend Your Dollars is the website of the Consumers Union Financial Services Campaign, where we support reforms to the financial marketplace to curb bad practices by banks and lenders. en Copyright 2010 Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:41:34 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Good News! Finally Reigning in Debt Settlement Companies The past two weeks we’ve seen two big steps forward toward reigning in debt settlement companies.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/08/good_news_finally_reigning_in.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/08/good_news_finally_reigning_in.html Blog Post Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:41:34 -0800 FTC issue new debt settlement protections New regulations bar advance fees and other debt settlement industry abuses but don't cap fees

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/07/ftc_issue_new_debt_settlement.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/07/ftc_issue_new_debt_settlement.html Press Release Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:55:57 -0800 Group comments to NCUA proposed rule on short term loans http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/07/group_comments_to_ncua_propose.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/07/group_comments_to_ncua_propose.html Legislation Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:12:34 -0800 Consumer groups support reform of debt settlement industry Consumer and privacy groups support Senate and House bills to curb debt settlement abuses

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/06/consumer_groups_support_reform.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/06/consumer_groups_support_reform.html Press Release Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:04:33 -0800 2010 Updated small Dollar Loan Products Scorecard & Statutory Update http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/05/2010_updated_small_dollar_loan.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/05/2010_updated_small_dollar_loan.html Research Tue, 18 May 2010 13:42:12 -0800 Consumers pay steep rates for small loans Need more proof that we need a strong independent financial watchdog for consumers? We just put out a report with the National Consumer Law Center and the Consumer Federation of America that shows consumers in most parts of the country are vulnerable to small loan rip-offs.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/05/consumers_pay_steep_rates_for_1.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/05/consumers_pay_steep_rates_for_1.html Blog Post Fri, 14 May 2010 10:35:56 -0800 Consumers pay steep rates for small loans Scorecard shows why we need a strong, independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/05/consumers_pay_steep_rates_for.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/05/consumers_pay_steep_rates_for.html Press Release Fri, 14 May 2010 09:28:14 -0800 Senate debate on financial reform heats up Now that the Senate floor debate on financial reform has started in earnest, supporters are ofering a number of amendments to strengthen the bill so that it better protects consumers from unsafe financial products and creates new rules to stop banks from getting so big that they could threaten the financial system.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/05/senate_debate_on_financial_ref.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/05/senate_debate_on_financial_ref.html Blog Post Wed, 05 May 2010 11:50:48 -0800 Stay Away from RALs (Refund Anticipation Loans) Tax season is in full swing--which means it's time for that reminder to STAY AWAY from RALs, or Refund Anticipation Loans. They are sold as fast, easy, instant money options by tax preparers like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/03/stay_away_from_rals_refund_ant.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/03/stay_away_from_rals_refund_ant.html Blog Post Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:56:39 -0800 Winner of the Danger of Debt Contest!! Sean Kleefeld is the Grand Prize Winner of the Dangers of Debt Image Contest!!

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/03/winner_of_the_danger_of_debt_c.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/03/winner_of_the_danger_of_debt_c.html Blog Post Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:14:41 -0800 Consumer groups offer debt-strapped consumers advice on getting real relief Beware of debt settlement trap

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/01/post_8.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/01/post_8.html Press Release Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:21:27 -0800 It's time Washington looks out for us! If you don’t think it matters having an aggressive watchdog in Washington looking out for consumers, just consider your credit card bill.

The full House just approved a new financial sheriff – now we need the Senate to do the same so we don’t have to endure more abusive tactics. Tell your Senators you want a watchdog who looks out for us.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/01/its_time_washington_looks_out.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/01/its_time_washington_looks_out.html Action Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:18:37 -0800 What you need to Know about Debt Settlement Services http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/01/what_you_need_to_know_about_de.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/01/what_you_need_to_know_about_de.html Tips Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:03:18 -0800 Alex of San Francisco, CA I'm falling further and further behind on the debts. I'm 77 years old, living in a studio apartment in downtown San Francisco. I survive most of the time on beans.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/11/alex_fraser_of_san_francisco_c.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/11/alex_fraser_of_san_francisco_c.html Story Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:04:27 -0800 Sherrie of Plainfield Illinois I borrowed $5000 and now I'm having problems making the payments. The fees are "too" high and I can't afford to pay.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/11/sherrie_chapman_of_plainfield.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/11/sherrie_chapman_of_plainfield.html Story Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:56:35 -0800