Blog

Info for consumers

Published SEP 18, 2017

Equifax data breach updates

A collection of the latest releases, tips, updates, known scams, and information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other federal agencies working to support the millions of people affected by the Equifax data breach.

• • Arbitration
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 13, 2017

Protección contra el robo de identidad tras el incidente en Equifax

Independientemente de si se ha visto afectado por la violación de datos en Equifax, o si su información personal ha sido robada, hay medidas que usted puede tomar para protegerse a sí mismo y a su crédito.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 09, 2017

Identity theft protection following the Equifax data breach

Whether or not you have been affected by the Equifax data breach, or your personal information has been stolen, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your credit.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 08, 2017

A financial toolkit for victims of hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey

Hurricanes like Maria, Irma, and Harvey can bring flood damage and financial distress. Know who to contact, what to expect, and how to avoid scams as you reorganize your finances.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Financial well-being
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 08, 2017

Consejos financieros para víctimas de los huracanes María, Irma y Harvey

Huracanes como María, Irma y Harvey pueden generar daños por inundación y dificultades financieras. Conozca a quién contactar, qué expectativas tener y cómo evitar estafas mientras reorganiza sus finanzas.

By Kristin Dohn

• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published JUN 06, 2017

The IRS is using private debt collectors. Here’s what you should know.

If you have an old debt with the IRS, you might receive a letter informing you that your account is being transferred to a private debt collector. Learn...

By Colleen Tressler

• • Debt collection
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 23, 2016

How to avoid credit repair service scams

Look out for these five red flag examples when offered credit repair services.

By Desmond Brown

• • Financial well-being
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 22, 2016

Don’t let malicious mail make off with your money

Download our new mail fraud placemat to give you, or a loved one, helpful reminders of common warning signs of mail fraud.

By Naomi Karp and James Miner

• • Financial education
• • Older Americans
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 13, 2016

Be your family’s financial action hero during an emergency

We have some ways for you to channel your inner financial action hero and be prepared, no matter what the disaster.

By Holly Petraeus

• • Financial well-being
• • Servicemembers
• • Identity theft and fraud

Data, research, and reports Info for consumers

Published AUG 23, 2016

Four ways to support your community’s fight against elder financial exploitation

Financial exploitation robs millions of older people of their money and property annually. To prevent and respond to the growing crisis of elder financial...

By Stacy Canan, Jenefer Duane, and Hector Ortiz

• • Banking
• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Older Americans

Info for consumers

Published AUG 01, 2016

Inmigrantes enfrentan desafíos financieros únicos

Con una población de más de 41 millones de personas en los Estados Unidos, los inmigrantes representan un número considerable de consumidores en este país...

By Dubis Correal

• • Financial education
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published JUL 14, 2016

Immigrants facing unique financial challenges

Learn about the unique financial challenges facing immigrants in America and what resources we have available to help.

By Dubis Correal

• • Financial education
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published JUL 01, 2016

Guard against fraud and make better financial decisions for Military Consumer Protection Month

Be aware of these online and local resources available for servicemembers and veterans.

By Holly Petraeus

• • Servicemembers
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published APR 28, 2016

Protecting one’s credit while in the criminal justice system

There are many in the criminal justice system who may be at risk of identity theft and other consumer financial fraud. Our new fraud protection tip sheet...

By Mary Griffin

• • Financial well-being
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published DEC 08, 2015

Beware of scams targeting older people during the holidays

Scams that target older people occur every day, but you can count on scammers to ramp up their efforts to prey on people's generosity during the holiday...

By Jenefer Duane

• • Older Americans
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 29, 2015

What’s that chip doing on my credit card?

Lately, we've received questions from people wanting to know what these chips are and how they work. As a new federal agency, we're committed to providing...

By Will Wade-Gery

• • Credit cards
• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Debit cards

Info for consumers

Published SEP 01, 2015

Servicemembers: Protecting your credit when you’re away from home

Being away and mission-focused means you won't be able to regularly check your accounts or credit report, so you may be at increased risk for fraud or...

By Holly Petraeus

• • Servicemembers
• • Credit reports and scores
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published SEP 09, 2014

Reminder for steps you can take if you think your credit or debit card data was hacked

Home Depot has confirmed that there has been a breach of its payment data systems. According to the company, the breach could potentially impact any...

By Gail Hillebrand

• • Credit cards
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published MAY 01, 2014

How to protect vulnerable children from credit reporting problems

Youth in foster care are particularly susceptible to identity theft because they often lack a permanent address, and their personal information is...

By Sarah Bainton Kahn

• • Credit reports and scores
• • Credit cards
• • Youth
• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Financial well-being

Info for consumers

Published JAN 27, 2014

Four steps you can take if you think your credit or debit card data was hacked

The recent data breach and theft of credit and debit card information at Target retail stores could impact tens of millions of consumers, and we want to let...

By Gail Hillebrand

• • Credit cards
• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Debit cards

Info for consumers

Published OCT 24, 2013

Trick-or-treating for your money

When it comes to tricking you out of your money, for scammers it's Halloween all year long. In 2011, an estimated 25.6 million adults (10.8 percent of the...

By Holly Petraeus

• • Servicemembers
• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published MAR 04, 2013

Protect yourself from buyer’s remorse

This blog post is part of a series for National Consumer Protection Week When you buy something it's hard to know if you're getting the best deal – and that...

By Holly Petraeus

• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Financial education
• • Servicemembers

Info for consumers

Published DEC 11, 2012

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...

By Dan Rutherford

• • Identity theft and fraud
• • Mortgages

Info for consumers

Published NOV 20, 2012

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...

By Holly Petraeus

• • Identity theft and fraud

Info for consumers

Published NOV 06, 2012

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...

By CFPB Web Team

• • Identity theft and fraud