Consumer fraud is a serious problem in Idaho, but, fortunately, it is often a preventable problem. As a consumer, you can protect yourself from fraud by understanding your rights and by making informed and intelligent decisions. There are a variety of steps you can take to protect your credit. Please review the Idaho Attorney General's Office Credit and Debt Manual for more information. Please note that this guide was created in 2005 so some information may no longer be accurate.
If you've ever applied for a credit card, a personal loan, or insurance, there's a file about you. This file is known as your credit report. It includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, whether you've been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. Consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses with a legitimate need for it. They use the information to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or a lease.
For more information about credit reports, please visit the Federal Trade Commission's Website here: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports.
The Department of Justice has created an FAQ on credit counseling - which is separated into six major areas. Consumers, applicants, and approved agencies may find it helpful to review the questions in each area. You can access this information by visiting the Department of Justice Credit Counseling site.
You see the advertisements in newspapers, on TV, and on the Internet. You hear them on the radio. You get fliers in the mail, and maybe even calls offering credit repair services. They all make the same claims but how can you repair your credit without hiring an agency?
The Federal Trade Commission created a webpage addressing various ways you can improve your credit yourself, please click the link below.
Ageing Safely has developed the following three forms to help with consumer law issues or issues dealing with money and debt:
- Letter to a creditor to request debt forgiveness when a bill is owed
- Letter to a creditor to dispute a charge from a bank or company
- Letter to a credit bureau to dispute an item on a credit report
Please visit Ageing Safely's website for links to these interactive forms: https://agingsafely.us/free-forms/.
