What the law gives you
The federal statutes that govern debt collectors and credit bureaus, in plain language — what they must do, what they cannot do, and how to make them prove it.
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Adverse Action Notices: What a Denial Letter Must Say
A creditor that denies credit must send an adverse action notice. Learn what ECOA and FCRA require it to state, and what the notice does not cover.
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Bankruptcy Basics: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Limits
Liquidation against reorganisation, the means test as the gate between them, and the debts that generally survive either. Exemptions are state law.
intermediate -
Cease and Desist Debt Collector: What a Stop-Contact Letter Does
Learn how a written cease and desist letter stops debt collector calls under 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c), what it doesn't do, and when it's the wrong move.
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Credit Freeze vs Fraud Alert: Which to Use
Compare credit freeze and fraud alert: what they block, how long they last, and which fits your situation. Both are free under federal law.
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Debt Collection Lawsuit: From Summons to Judgment
What happens when a collector sues: the summons, answering, default judgment, and enforcement. Know the process and the risks of ignoring it.
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Debt Validation Letter: How to Demand Proof
Learn how to send a debt validation letter under 15 U.S.C. §1692g. Know the 30-day window, what a valid response contains, and common mistakes.
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Disputing a Credit Card Charge Under the FCBA
The Fair Credit Billing Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1666 and Regulation Z, sets the procedure for disputing a credit card charge. What counts, deadlines, and issuer duties.
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Fair Credit Reporting Act: Consumer Rights Under FCRA
The FCRA (15 U.S.C. § 1681) gives consumers the right to see, dispute, and correct credit reports. Learn what it covers and its limits.
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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: Your Rights
The FDCPA (15 U.S.C. §1692) sets rules for third-party debt collectors. Learn what they can and cannot do, your rights, and how to enforce them.
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How to Dispute a Credit Report Error
Learn the legal process to dispute credit report errors under 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681i. Steps, timelines, and what to do if the dispute fails.
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Is This Debt Collector Legitimate?
Learn how to verify a debt collector, what a valid validation notice includes, and how to spot scams. FDCPA rights and FTC guidance included.
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Medical Debt and Your Credit Report: Different Rules
Medical collections are treated differently from ordinary ones, and the rules have changed more than once. Billing errors come before disputing anything.
intermediate -
Recovering From Identity Theft: The Order Matters
Report, freeze, then dispute with the report in hand. What an identity theft report unlocks that an ordinary dispute does not.
intermediate -
Statute of Limitations on Debt: What It Means
Learn what time-barred debt means, how the statute of limitations works, and the mistake that can restart the clock. State laws vary.
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Wage Garnishment Limits: Federal Caps and State Rules
Federal law caps what an ordinary creditor can take from a paycheck and many states cap it lower. The stricter limit is the one that applies.
intermediate -
What Debt Collectors Cannot Do: FDCPA & Regulation F
Learn what debt collectors are prohibited from doing under the FDCPA and Regulation F, including harassment, false statements, and unfair practices.