Money Basics
Keep more of what you have: credit reports, debt collectors, loans, fees, junk offers and charity scams.
Avoid overdraft fees
For covered ATM and one-time debit transactions, you can decline overdraft coverage instead of opting in to the bank's fee-based service.
Avoid payday loan traps
Before taking a payday loan, compare the total cost, repayment date, and alternatives so a short-term cash gap does not become long-term debt.
Check a charity before donating
Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to check a charity's tax-exempt status, filings, and eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Dispute errors with every credit bureau that has them
You can check each credit report for free once every 12 months, check each one weekly for free, and dispute mistakes with every bureau that has them.
Freeze your credit file for free
Anyone can freeze their credit report for any reason. It is free, lasts until you lift it, and requires contacting all three credit bureaus.
Opt out of prescreened credit offers
You can opt out of prescreened credit and insurance offers for five years or permanently; requests are processed within five days.
Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov
IdentityTheft.gov gives you a free personal recovery plan, walks you through each step, and lets you track your progress.
Stop debt collector harassment
Federal debt-collection rules treat calls before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. as inconvenient, and a written stop-contact notice generally ends further communication.
Stop unwanted sales calls
Register your home or mobile phone for free with the National Do Not Call Registry; if unwanted sales calls continue after 31 days, report them to the FTC.