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Introduction

Chapter 1. Your Rights When Borrowing Money

Chapter 2. Understanding the Terms and Total Cost of Credit

Applicability of the Truth in Lending Act

Closed-End Credit

Open-End Credit

Chapter 3. Shopping for Credit Cards

Chapter 4. Negotiating a Home Mortgage Loan

Chapter 5. Mortgage Servicing

Chapter 6. Negotiating a Car Loan

Chapter 7. Obtaining a Student Loan

Chapter 8. Credit Card Rights

Credit Billing

Unauthorized Use

Defective Goods and Other Claims and Defenses

Other Rights of Consumers in Credit Card Transactions

Arbitration Clauses

Disclosure of Terms of Cardholder Agreements and Free Credit Reports

Chapter 9. Prepaid Cards

Chapter 10. Debit Cards and Electronic Fund Transactions

Chapter 11. Student Loan Rights

Chapter 12. Other Types of Loans

Payday and Auto Title Loans

Overdraft Protection

It Is Your Right to Know Why You Are Turned Down for Credit or Had Your Rate Increased

Chapter 13. Your Rights as a Debtor

Verification of Debts

Third-Party Contacts

Communication with the Debtor

Special Rules Regulating Cell Phone Calls

Abuse and Harassment

False, Misleading, and Unfair Acts and Practices

Where Collection Lawsuits May Be Filed

Unsophisticated or Least Sophisticated Consumer Standard

Damages

Chapter 14. The Collection Industry: Debt Buyers versus Original Creditors

Chapter 15. What to Do If You Are a Defendant in a Collection Lawsuit

Chapter 16. Defenses to Collection Claims

Bogus Charges on Credit Card Accounts

Capacity of Parties to Credit Card Accounts

Statutes of Limitations

Promises to Answer for the Debt of Another

Liability of Parents and Spouses

Liability of Children for Parent’s Debts

Nursing Home Debts

Other Health-Care Debts

Automobile Deficiencies

Defective Goods and Services

Chapter 17. Dealing with Collection Calls

What to Say and What Not to Say

How to End Harassing Telephone Calls

Negotiating a Payback Arrangement

When to Contact a Lawyer Regarding Debt Collection

Chapter 18. Credit and Spending: Avoiding Common Mistakes and Borrowing Responsibly

Chapter 19. Your Rights with Respect to Credit Reports

Credit Scores and How They Are Calculated

Credit History

Amounts Owed

What Credit Scores Do Not Consider

Effect of Credit Inquiries on Credit Score

Improving Your Credit Score

Paying Off Collection Accounts

Foreclosures and Foreclosure Alternatives

Cleaning Up Errors on Your Credit Report

What Types of Information on Your Credit Report May Be Challenged

Who Can Get My Credit Report?

Are Reports Prepared on Insurance and Job Applicants Different?

Tenant Screening

Employment Background Checks

List of Tenant and Employment Screening Agencies

Chapter 20. Improving Your Credit Score

Chapter 21. When to Hire a Lawyer to Deal with a Credit Report Problem

Chapter 22. The Scope and Nature of Identity-Theft Crime

Who Is the Biggest Threat to Stealing Your Identity?

Common and New Types of Identity Theft

Chapter 23. Safeguarding Your Information from Identity Theft

Where Is Your Information Kept, and How Can You Keep It Safe?

Keeping Your Information Safe

Being Safe Online and on the Telephone

Suspicious Transactions

Watch What You Put in the Trash

Use Discretion in Private Places

Monitor Your Bank and Credit Card Statements and Credit Reports

Chapter 24. What to Do If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft

Recognizing That Your Identity Has Been Stolen

Repairing Damage to Your Credit Report—Reports You Must File

Closing Accounts

Removing Unauthorized Charges from Accounts

Other Steps That You May Need to Take

Tax-Related Identity Theft

Opening New Accounts

Epilogue

Index