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 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:12:34 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 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 Stopping the Payday Loan Trap: Alternatives That Work, One’s That Don’t http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/06/stopping_the_payday_loan_trap.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2010/06/stopping_the_payday_loan_trap.html Research Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:24:12 -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 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 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 High-Cost Credit Are you in debt with small, short-term loans?

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/06/tell_us_your_story_6.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/06/tell_us_your_story_6.html Story Ask Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:57:22 -0800 Testimony in opposition to HR 1214, The Payday Loan Reform Act of 2009 http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/05/post_2.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/05/post_2.html Testimony Mon, 18 May 2009 10:55:17 -0800 Don't let credit card companies suck you in! If you are a college student or the parent of a college student, beware the credit card companies. New rules to limit ways card companies can lure young people into debt don't go into effect until February. In the meantime, card companies want to get as many college students on the hook as possible.

Get our college care package here with tips for navigating the credit card offers on their way to students this fall.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/05/stop_runaway_greed_in_our_fina.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/05/stop_runaway_greed_in_our_fina.html Action Wed, 06 May 2009 12:57:04 -0800 Colbert Report highlights a very bad bill Colbert says NO to the unprotective Payday Loan Reform Act. Consumers Union has suggestions on how to really protect consumers.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/04/colbert_report_highlights_a_ve.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/04/colbert_report_highlights_a_ve.html Blog Post Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:50:04 -0800 Coalition letter to house members opposing HR 1214 http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/03/coalition_letter_to_house_memb.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/03/coalition_letter_to_house_memb.html Letter Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:26:11 -0800 Coalition letter to sponsors opposing HR 1214 http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/03/coalition_letter_to_sponsors_o.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/03/coalition_letter_to_sponsors_o.html Letter Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:31:09 -0800 Coalition endorses bill to cap interest rates Legislation introduced in Congress aims to stop predatory lending abuses by putting a ceiling on interest rates.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/03/coalition_endorses_bill_to_cap.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/03/coalition_endorses_bill_to_cap.html Letter Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:03:41 -0800 Payday loans and overdraft fees http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/02/payday_loans_and_overdraft_fee.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/02/payday_loans_and_overdraft_fee.html Research Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:56:50 -0800 Consumer Federation of America Payday Loan Page http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/02/consumer_federation_of_america.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/02/consumer_federation_of_america.html Research Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:07:32 -0800 Payday Loans Payday loans are single payment small loans based on the lender holding the borrower’s personal check for future deposit. Loans cost 390 to 780% APR when lender charges fees of $15 per $100 repaid in two weeks. Click for a calculator.

]]> http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/01/payday_loans.html http://www.defendyourdollars.org/2009/01/payday_loans.html Intro Text Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:00:56 -0800