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Guides
How to complain and get results, your rights with debt collectors, banks, lenders and credit bureaus, and how to spot a scam.
Filing a complaint
Filing a complaintHow to file a complaint against a bank or financial companyGather records, complain in writing, then escalate to the right regulator if the company does not fix it.8 min readFiling a complaintWhat happens after you file a complaintThe usual timeline after a complaint, from the company's first response to what you can do if the answer is not good enough.7 min readFiling a complaintCompany response types explainedWhat each complaint response label means, why "closed" is not always "fixed", and how to read a company's record.7 min readFiling a complaintHow to write a complaint letter (with free template)A fill-in complaint letter template for any financial company, plus how to send it so it gets taken seriously.7 min readFiling a complaintWhat to do if a company ignores your complaintThe escalation ladder for when a financial company will not answer, from a follow-up letter to small claims court.8 min read
Checking a company
Checking a companyHow to check if a financial company is legitVerify a financial company's license, check its complaint record and spot the red flags of a fake.8 min readChecking a companyHow to spot financial scamsThe warning signs of the most common money scams, and what to do right away if you have been scammed.8 min read
Credit reports
Credit reportsHow to dispute a credit report errorFix mistakes on your Equifax, Experian or TransUnion report by disputing with the bureau and with the company that reported it.8 min readCredit reportsIdentity theft and credit freezes: what to doFreeze your credit for free at all three bureaus, set fraud alerts and follow a recovery plan if your identity is stolen.8 min read
Debt collectors
Debt collectorsYour rights with debt collectors (FDCPA)What the FDCPA and Regulation F let debt collectors do, what they ban, and how to report a collector who breaks the rules.9 min readDebt collectorsHow to request debt validation (with letter template)A free fill-in letter to make a debt collector prove a debt, plus when to send it and what a proper reply looks like.8 min readDebt collectorsHow to stop debt collector callsUse a written cease-communication letter, or limit when and how a collector contacts you, and know what to do if you are sued.8 min readDebt collectorsMedical debt and your credit reportHow medical debt affects your credit in 2026, plus how to negotiate hospital bills, get charity care and fight surprise bills.9 min read
Banking & payments
Banking & paymentsPayment app scams and refunds: Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, PayPalWhat to do if you lose money on Zelle, Cash App, Venmo or PayPal, when the law requires a refund, and the scams to watch for.9 min readBanking & paymentsHow to dispute a credit card chargeDispute a wrong, unauthorized or undelivered credit card charge, with the deadlines your card issuer has to meet.7 min readBanking & paymentsBank account frozen or closedWhy banks freeze or close accounts, how to get your money back, and how to dispute a ChexSystems record.7 min readBanking & paymentsOverdraft fees and how to get a refundHow overdraft and NSF fees work, how to opt out, and how to ask your bank for a refund.7 min read
Loans & mortgages
Loans & mortgagesMortgage servicer problems and how to fix themFix escrow errors, misapplied payments and transfer problems with your mortgage servicer, and know your foreclosure protections.8 min readLoans & mortgagesStudent loan servicer problems and how to escalateFix servicer errors with payments, repayment plans and PSLF counts, and know how to escalate a federal or private loan problem.7 min readLoans & mortgagesCar repossession: your rights and how to avoid itWhen a lender can repossess your car, your rights during and after, and how to avoid repossession.7 min read