Tax time
I know, you don't have to file your taxes until April 15th (and if you're in a combat zone you can delay even longer), but you may want to file as soon as...
Blog
Protecting funds from the Cobell v. Salazar settlement
Hundreds of thousands of Native Americans started getting the first payments last week as part of a long-awaited settlement with the federal government over...
Giving or receiving gift cards? Know the terms and avoid surprises
My family and I just moved into a new house. With all the packing and unpacking, my kids and I found three gift cards we had forgotten about. Mine was from...
Paying for college [beta]
Americans owe more than a trillion dollars in student loan debt. That's more than we owe on credit cards, more than we owe on car loans – and it's still...
Access, Data and Scale – Strategies to making the market work better for low-income and economically vulnerable consumers
Many of the low-income and economically vulnerable consumers we serve through the Office of Financial Empowerment face barriers to accessing affordable...
Sharing consumer complaint data with state agencies
We help consumers with complaints about credit cards, mortgages, student loans, checking accounts, savings accounts, credit reporting, bank services, and...
Why you should be suspicious of government logos
No, really. Just because something has a government logo on it doesn't mean that it's legitimate. Just today, we announced that we're cracking down on two...
Prepare your finances for emergencies
Hurricane Sandy reminded us that disasters – storms, fires, floods, earthquakes – can happen to anyone, and when they do you have little time to react. If...
VA trademarks ‘GI Bill’ to shield vets from deceptive marketing
An important step to ensure that servicemembers and veterans are not seen simply as "dollar signs in uniform." We continue to work with federal and state...
The first year at the CFPB Ombudsman’s Office
Today, I want to share with you our first CFPB Ombudsman's annual report describing the work we've done in the last year. Each year we plan on delivering...
You have a right to see specialty consumer reports too
You have the right to know what nationwide specialty consumer reporting companies are saying about you. And you're entitled to one free report each year...
Don’t take a bath on a flood-damaged car
Hurricanes and severe storms can bring misery to a lot of people. We've all seen recent images of houses and cars submerged in water. Have you ever wondered...
Buyer beware – Potentially deceptive mortgage ads are targeting veterans and older Americans
Today, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), our Office of Enforcement sent letters to a number of lenders concerning potential violations of the...
Honoring those who have worn the uniform, working for military families
November 11th, Veterans Day, is a day for our nation to thank all those who have worn the uniform of our country. They answered the call to serve, and we...
Checklist to rebuild your finances
Americans up and down the East Coast are still coping with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Power outages, food shortages, and long lines at the gas pump...
Protecting and rebuilding your finances after a disaster
After the shock of a disaster, it's time to rebuild. Starting over requires a lot of complex choices, uncertainty and expense. Being prepared and knowing...
Avoiding loan scams after a natural disaster
UPDATE: As Hurricane Sandy continues to make its way up the East Coast, we wanted to highlight this blog post from last year's hurricane season. Frauds and...
Now accepting credit reporting complaints
In the past year we have taken big steps toward making consumer financial markets work better for consumers and responsible companies, and consumer...
The next front? Student loan servicing and the cost to our men and women in uniform
Today, I joined the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon to announce a report about the servicing obstacles that servicemembers face in paying off student...
Order: American Express is responsible for compensating customers for illegal practices
As a result of today's order, American Express must repay an estimated $85 million to approximately 250,000 consumers. American Express will return the...
How will the Discover order handle refunds?
As a result of today’s order, Discover will pay approximately $200 million in restitution to more than 3.5 million consumers.
Student Banking 101
Choosing your first bank account is an important decision. Unlike that first school ID photo, your first banking relationship could last long after you...
More than 70 percent of people with 401(k)s don’t realize they’re paying fees
Last week, I got my 401(k) plan fee disclosure notice in the mail. I almost threw it away. At first, it looked like all of those form notices you get – you...
Meet Tom from Virginia
Since we launched on July 21st 2011, we've heard directly from consumers about the challenges they face in the marketplace, brought their concerns to the...
Meet Julio from Florida
Since we launched on July 21st 2011, we've heard directly from consumers about the challenges they face in the marketplace, brought their concerns to the...