| Consumer Protection Laws Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act is part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States. The law makes illegal any discrimination in the sale, lease, or rental of housing, or makes housing otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, family status, or natural origin.
Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act is designed to promote accuracy, fairness and privacy of information used in the process of granting credit. All the information in your personal credit history is supplied by public record sources, credit grantors and others to credit reporting agencies. This act gives you specific rights in dealing with these agencies. You may request a free copy of your credit report from one of the below agencies within 60 days of the unfavorable action. Equifax/CBI P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374 800-378-2732 or 800-685-1111
http://www.equifax.com Trans Union Corporation P.O. Box 390 Springfield, PA 19064 800-888-4213
http://www.transunion.com
Experian/TRW 701 Experian Pkwy P.O. Box 949 Allen, TX 75011 800-422-4879
http://www.experian.com
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act ensures that all consumers are given an equal chance to obtain credit. This does not mean that all consumers who apply for credit receive it: Factors such as income, expenses, debt, and credit history are all considerations for creditworthiness. This law protects you from a creditor discouraging you from applying because of your sex, marital status, age, race, national origin, or because you receive public assistance income.
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)
In 1974, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) was enacted to ensure that buyers are informed regarding the amount and type of charges they will pay at closing. This was created to ensure that borrowers throughout the country are provided with greater and more timely information on the nature of the costs associated with getting a mortgage loan. Federal regulation requires that within three days of your initial loan application, you receive a disclosure of estimated settlement costs on what is know as a "Good Faith Estimate". RESPA was also created to regulated the amount of money borrowers are required to place in escrows for taxes and insurance. Truth-In-Lending Act
The Truth-In-Lending Act is implemented by Federal Reserve Regulation Z and requires that lenders disclose the annual percentage rate (APR) of interest and finance charges imposed on consumers. The intent of this act is to help borrowers understand loan transactions, and to assist you in comparing loans offered by different lending institutions. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects consumers from harassment and intimidation by debt collectors. It establishes a nationwide system for controlling agencies that collect other companies' overdue accounts. The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for enforcing the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. | 
