Credit Bureaus/Credit Reports/Credit Scores

Annual Credit Reports
Visit this site to obtain your annual credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You are eligible to receive one report from each bureau once a year at no cost. If you would like additional copies, there will usually be a fee (with some exceptions such as you have been turned down for credit, are a victim of fraud, etc.) You may obtain all three at once, or, check just one every four months, which would cover you for the entire year. Information on each report may vary slightly, so if you are trying to clear up ID theft issues, you may wish to obtain all three at once.

Equifax
One of the three main credit bureaus. Obtain consumer education, dispute errors on your report, order your credit report and more.

Experian
One of the three main credit bureaus. Obtain consumer education, dispute errors on your report, order your credit report and more.

TransUnion
One of the three main credit bureaus. Obtain consumer education, dispute errors on your report, order your credit report and more.

Consumer Education

ChexSystems
The Consumer Debit Resource site is dedicated to helping you develop good debit practices, basic knowledge and skills to manage and maintain checking accounts, so that you can build a solid foundation that will allow you to fully participate, enjoy, and access mainstream financial services.

Report identity theft and stolen checks here. You may also download your ChexSystems "Consumer Report" here for free. This report is needed to attend any "Get Checking" class.

Consumer Action
A non-profit consumer education and advocacy group. For objective comparison shopping, Consumer Action's web site includes a very helpful annual survey of credit cards, long distance telephone companies, online banks and more. Also includes section on credit card fraud, identity theft, home equity loan fraud, credit repair scams, insurance fraud, telemarketing scams and more and tips on how to protect yourself from these scams and what to do if you have been a victim. Information available on their site in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.

Federal Trade Commission
The FTC is a governmental agency that enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. In addition to carrying out its statutory enforcement responsibilities, the agency promotes consumer education. Under the "For Consumers: Consumer Information" section, the site offers numerous free, downloadable brochures on hot topics such as identify theft, your privacy rights, buying a car, telemarketing scams and more.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. The site is full of useful information for those interested in buying a home such as finding out how much mortgage you can afford, avoiding predatory lending, how to shop for a home, a list of HUD-owned, foreclosed homes for sale, and much more.

Consumer Protection

Better Business Bureau
Provides consumers with free service to check company’s history and complaint file.

California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)
The DCA, through this web site, promotes and protects the interests of California consumers. DCA helps consumers learn how to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals. The Department also protects professionals from unfair competition by unlicensed practitioners.

Department of Justice Fair Housing Initiative
At this site, the Dept. of Justice allows those who believe they are victims of housing discrimination to file a complaint. They also print the Fair Housing Act in its entirety and offer answers to frequently asked questions as well as a link to HUD's Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity website.

Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
Visit this site to remove your names from mailing, e-mail and telemarketing lists.

Other Valuable Non-Profit Assistance

Credit Union Match Up
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a bank and a credit union? Why are so many people partial to their credit unions? Credit unions offer a wide range of services, from checking accounts to savings accounts and loans. Unlike banks, credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit, cooperative financial institutions, formed to permit those in the field of membership to pool their savings, lend to one another, and own the organization where they save, borrow, and obtain related financial services. The not-for-profit status of credit unions enables them to operate at a lower cost than many for-profit institutions, and helps them to offer highly-competitive loan and savings rates to their members. Members of each credit union must share a "common bond," such as being employed at the same workplace, belonging to the same church or fraternal organization, or living in the same neighborhood. Some credit unions serve an entire community. Others serve several employee groups. The California Credit Union League has created a user-friendly, web-based site that links individuals or groups with credit unions they may be eligible to join. Click here to make the match today!

Legal Aid Association of California
Regional Legal Aid organizations provides free legal services for low-income residents. This statewide site can help you find the legitimate member local Legal Aid services in your area.

Neighborworks
The NeighborWorks® Center for Foreclosure Solutions, an initiative of NeighborWorks America, was created to preserve homeownership in the face of rising foreclosure rates.  In conjunction with national nonprofit, mortgage and insurance partners, the Center builds capacity among foreclosure counselors around the nation, conducts public outreach campaigns to reach struggling homeowners, and researches local and national trends to develop strategic solutions. In cities and states with high rates of foreclosure, the Center works with local leaders to create sustainable foreclosure intervention programs.  For those who need immediate assistance avoiding foreclosure, you may also call (888) 995-HOPE.

Associates

CU Home Loans
CU Home Loans, based in Burbank, California and serving the entire state, is a mortgage lender ready to qualify ByDesign Financial Solutions's debt management plan (DMP) clients for home mortgages.

CU Home Loans has agreed to take into consideration a client's payment history with ByDesign as part of the loan qualifying process. They also review a client's credit score, but credit scores are reduced as a factor for ByDesign DMP clients.

CU Home Loans' specialty is helping borrowers with past or present credit issues and other financial situations by offering competitive mortgage solutions. Although everyone is not guaranteed to qualify, taking DMP payment history into consideration over credit scores helps some of our clients qualify.

CU Home Loans works with credit unions throughout California to offer members competitive loans and superior service. Whether you're looking to purchase or refinance, CU Home Loans loan officers can help you determine which type of mortgage or loan will best fit your needs. Click on the title to link to CU Home Loans' website or call (888) 367-7424 for assistance.