Predatory lending is the practice of preying on, or taking advantage of, an
individual or group of people that may have a difficult time buying or refinancing a
home such as people who may be poor, uneducated, elderly, or in a protected class.
Under the Fair Housing Act, a protected class is a group of people who share common
characteristics and are protected from discrimination on the basis of race, religion,
national origin, color, disability, familial status, and gender.
How do I know if I've been a victim?
Sometimes it's hard to know you've been a victim of predatory lending. The following
videos provide an example of a bad lending experience (i.e. predatory lending) and what a good
lending experience should be...click to watch and learn.
Example of Predatory Lending
Example of Good Lending
What other information and resources do you have available?
The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by
funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and
findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for
the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations
do not necessarily reflect the views of the federal government.
