Consumer Information

Federal Reserve consumer help
Learn about filing a complaint about a bank, identity theft and scams, debt issues, credit and more.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Offers a number of tools to assist consumers with managing their finances and exercising their rights under consumer protection laws and regulations.

Credit scores (Federal Trade Commission)
Helps consumers understand how a credit score is determined and provides steps to improve it.
Comparing credit, charge, secured credit, debit or prepaid cards (Federal Trade Commission)
Explains the difference between credit, charge, secured credit, debit, and prepaid cards, including their advantages and pitfalls.

A consumer's guide to mortgage refinancing (FR Board)
Contains useful tips and answers to frequently asked questions about the refinancing process
Foreclosure resources for consumers (FR Board)
Information and links to agencies and organizations that may be able to help you if you are having difficulty making your mortgage payment.
Your rights when paying your mortgage (Federal Trade Commission)
explains the different kinds of mortgages, what to do if you're behind in your payments, how to avoid default and foreclosure, and how to avoid predatory scams.
Consumer handbook on adjustable-rate mortgages (Federal Trade Commission)
Helps consumers understand this important and complex mortgage option available to homebuyers.
What you should know about home equity loans and lines of credit (Federal Trade Commission)
Explains home equity lines of credit, where to look for one and the costs of maintaining it.

Fighting back against identity theft (Federal Trade Commission)
What to do and who to contact if you think your identity has been stolen.
Consumer assistance topics: Cybersecurity (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)
Shares information about common cyber-related crimes, including identity theft, frauds and scams, as well as tips to prevent becoming a victim.

Selected interest rates (Federal Reserve Board)
Provides current discount, prime, Fed funds and certificates of deposit rates.

Guide to your first bank account (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta)
Describes the advantages of having a bank account, outlining the types of accounts available and how to open and manage an account.
MyMoney.gov
Federal Government's website dedicated to helping Americans understand more about their money—how to save it, invest it, and manage it to meet their personal goals.
Regulation CC (Availability of Funds and Collection of Checks) (FR Board)
Explains how electronic check conversion works and what your rights are as a consumer.
Currency information (Bureau of Engraving and Printing)
Information on the newly designed currency notes as well as designs of past U.S. notes.
Coin information (U.S. Mint)
Find out about newly minted coins, the new state quarters and commemorative coin sets.
Direct deposit–electronic transfer account (U.S. Treasury)
Explains what a direct deposit is and helps consumes find a provider of low-cost account to which your federal benefit, wage, salary or retirement payment can be deposited electronically.
How to file a consumer complaint about a bank (FR Consumer Help)
What to do if you think a bank has been unfair or deceptive in its dealings with you or has violated a law or regulation.
Complaints and Inquiries Hotline: 888-851-1920

Treasury securities and programs (U.S. Treasury)
Information on Treasury bills, notes, bonds and savings bonds.
Savings bond redemption calculator (U.S.Treasury)
Compute the redemption values of your savings bonds.
Treasury Direct (U. S. Treasury)
Operated by the Bureau of Public Debt, TreasuryDirect allows you to buy Treasury securities—T-bills, notes and bonds—directly from the government.

Financing or leasing a car (Federal Trade Commission)
Shares information for consumers to keep in mind when shopping for a car, providing options other than paying cash.