Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Money reads: Help on student loans, foreclosure, used cars, debt ...

It's National Consumer Protection Week, for whatever that's worth. The Oregon Legislature marked it Monday by passing a foreclosure protection package, finally bringing Oregon's protections in line with surrounding states'.

The U.S. Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on Monday began taking complaints on private student loans. Congress established an ombudsman over such loans within the bureau. Previously, they'd been overseen by a patchwork of agencies. File your complaint online or by calling 1-855-411-CFPB.

The bureau also offers online student loan repayment help. Lord knows the country needs it. A Federal Reserve study released yesterday suggests more than one in four student loans has a balance more than 30 days past due, according to The New York Times. ?Parents and the federal government shoulder a substantial part of the postsecondary education bill,? the report said.

Last week, by the way, the CFPB began taking complaints on bank and credit union deposit accounts.

Closer to home, the Oregon Division of Finance and Corporate Securities offers articles on preventing ID theft, checking payday loan licenses, avoiding the pitfalls of loan modifications and ways investors can avoid scams. The division regulates investment advisers, banks & credit unions and other lenders.?

Used cars are in high demand. But The Oregonian's Complaint Desk reminded us on Sunday about what few protections consumers have when buying a used vehicle. Be tough as a consumer when you do.

It's Only Money and its reader comments offered ways to fend off debt collectors, especially if you're a senior citizen. Beware, too, of fake debt collection calls as scammers try to collect on debts you didn't know you had or forgot you ever had, The Sacramento Bee's Claudia Buck warns.

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Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/finance/index.ssf/2012/03/money_reads_help_on_foreclosur.html

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