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10 Things Every Consumer Should Know
Getting Ready for Affordable Housing
Buy Now, Pay Later
Credit Cards
Credit and Debit Card Fraud at ATM and Credit Card Machines
Credit Repair Scams
Debt Collection and Settlement Services
Financial Counseling
Financial Products
Identity Theft Prevention
Payday Loans
Predatory Bail Bond Agents
Predatory Lending in the Used Car Industry
Student Loans

10 Things Every Consumer Should Know

View guide (as a webpage)

Download guide as a PDF in:

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Getting Ready for Affordable Housing

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) offer resources to help New Yorkers prepare for and navigate the housing application process.

Ready to Rent

Ready to Rent helps New Yorkers prepare to apply for affordable housing by providing free one-on-one financial counseling and assistance with affordable housing applications. Housing Ambassadors and financial counselors are working together to help you! Learn more about the Ready to Rent: Financial Counseling for Affordable Housing program at nyc.gov/ready-to-rent.
Download Ready to Rent flyer as a PDF in:
Read 1/11/18 press release: Departments of Consumer Affairs and Housing Preservation and Development Ring in the New Year with New Housing Ambassador Locations with Financial Counseling Through the "Ready to Rent" Program
Read 4/27/17 press release: The Departments of Housing Preservation and Development and Consumer Affairs Launch "Ready to Rent: Financial Counseling for Affordable Housing" Program
Download guide as a PDF in: English | Español (Spanish)
Read 1/10/17 press release: Department of Housing Preservation and Development and Consumer Affairs Release Study on Improving Access to Affordable Housing Opportunities

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Buy Now, Pay Later

Read What You Need to Know about Buy Now, Pay Later Loans.

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Credit Cards

Learn how to get the most out of your credit card and avoid debt

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Credit and Debit Card Fraud at ATM and Credit Card Machines

Learn how to protect yourself from card skimmers

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Credit Repair Scams

Learn how to spot a credit repair scam

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Debt Collection and Settlement Services

Download Debt Collection Guide as a PDF in: English | Español (Spanish) | Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole)

Download Information when using Debt Settlement Services as a PDF in: English | Español (Spanish) | 中文 (Chinese)

Read Frequently Asked Questions – New Rules for Debt Collectors

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Financial Counseling

Get free one-on-one professional financial counseling at one of more than 20 Financial Empowerment Centers across the five boroughs. Find a Center near you.

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Financial Products

Our "Do More with Your Money" tip sheets describe financial products:

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Identity Theft Prevention

Protect your identity. Download tips in:

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Payday Loans

Payday loans are illegal in New York. Download tips in PDF to avoid this predatory lending practice in:

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Predatory Bail Bond Agents

On February 15, 2018, DCWP filed charges against bail bond agent Marvin Morgan, and several insurance and management companies for engaging in deceptive and unlawful trade practices that preyed on vulnerable New Yorkers desperate to help bring their loved ones home. Learn more about bail bonds.

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Predatory Lending in the Used Car Industry

Buying a used car can be one of the largest financial commitments you make. Know your rights when it comes to used car dealers and financing.

Read Getting Your Finances in Gear to Buy a Used Car (as a webpage) or download as a PDF in:
Download Used Car Buyer Guide
Learn about DCWP's public awareness campaign to help consumers avoid predatory lending in the used car industry

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Student Loans

Get more information on how we're helping New Yorkers lose their student loan debt at nyc.gov/studentloans

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