Official Government Website
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy Links and Resources
NEW: FTC Videos on protecting your computer information from being hacked by online predators:
- Hacked Email: What to Do
- Hijacked Computer: What to Do
- Been hacked or hijacked? Read This.
- Back It Up: Don't Lose Your Digital Life
- FTC Consumer Information: Video and Media
- FTC Informacion Para Consumidores: Videos y Multimedia
- Report Fraud to the FTC
- Math and Accounting Activities for Kids
- Computer Security: FTC tips: “Learn how to protect your computer, your information, and your online files.
- Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's website provides educational brochures on consumer financial products and services provided to Americans - whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products.
- Glossary of Financial Terms - Definitions for commonly used financial terms.
- Idaho Commission for Libraries LiLI
- MyMoney.Gov - U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission - Providing financial education resources for all Americans.
- AnnualCreditReport.com - This central site allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
- The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy - The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy seeks to improve the personal financial literacy of young adults.
- U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Literacy and Education Commission - The Financial Literacy and Education Commission (the Commission) was established under Title V, the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act, which was part of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, to improve financial literacy and education of persons in the United States.
- National Endowment for Financial Education - The National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to helping all Americans acquire the information and gain the skills necessary to take control of their personal finances. NEFE accomplishes its mission primarily by partnering with other concerned organizations to provide financial education to members of the public—in particular, to underserved individuals whose financial education issues are not being addressed by others. These partnerships are an effective means of responding to the needs of many different groups within the general population.
- North American Securities Administrator Association - Organized in 1919, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) is the oldest international organization devoted to investor protection. NASAA is a voluntary association whose membership consists of 67 state, provincial, and territorial securities administrators in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Mexico.
- The Better Business Bureau - BBB reports provide information on over 2.5 million organizations. It's a good idea to check before you invest or give.
- Federal Trade Commission - The Federal Trade Commission is the nation's consumer protection agency. The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection works for the Consumer to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace. The FTC provides a variety of both consumer and business informational brochures.
- Fair Isaac Credit Reporting - FICO provides information on citizen's credit scores and factors that are considered in scoring calculations. Links on FICO's website also discuss credit reports, and a quick credit calculator.
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - HUD offers excellent informational links pertaining to understanding your mortgage, HUD approved counselors, and how to avoid foreclosure - and more.
- Idaho Housing and Finance Association
- National Credit Union Administration
- Second Life Virtual World - University of Idaho Extension - Idahonia is the University of Idaho’s presence in the Second Life® universe. Second Life® is a multi-user real-time virtual community that is built and supported by its residents. Please note: After creating an account with Second Life® you will need to create an avatar.
Investing Tips and Resources
- Mutual Funds and ETFs-Maybe All You'll Ever Need
- When I’m 65”—Resources for Planning Your Retirement
- Investopedia's Financial Dictionary
- Informed Investor Advisory: Private Placement Offerings
- Variable Annuities: What You Should Know…
- The Basics of Saving and Investing: Investor Education 2020 - Financial Literacy 2020 is a national campaign to increase high school students' savvy about personal finance and investment. Sponsored by the Investment Protection Trust(IPT)
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- Investor.gov - SEC
- Top-Ten Tips for Online Investors
- Brokered Certificates of Deposit
- Micro-Cap Fraud
- NASAA Day Trading Study (NASAA)
- The Internet and Online Trading (SEC)
- SEC's Edgar Database -- Filings from Public Companies with the SEC
- FINRA Investor Education
- Ideal - Idaho's 529 Plan for higher education savings
Research Your Broker
- Check Out Your Investment Professional
- Investor Notepad
- Understanding Your Brokerage Account Statements Brochure | Entender Sus Declaraciones De La Cuenta De Corretaje
Fraud Prevention Tips
- Time to Rethink Mandatory Password Changes
- FTC Credit Freeze FAQs
- Free Credit Freezes are Here! The FTC offers citizens information and steps to sign up for their free credit freeze
- An FTC booklet entitled: Advance Fee Loan Scams
- Data Breaches: What To Know This Federal Trade Commission brochure gives a brief overview of what to do if your personal information is exposed in a data breach. It also promotes IdentityTheft.gov/databreach, the FTC’s website for data breach victims.
- Child Identity Theft - What to Know, What to Do This Federal Trade Commission brochure provides valuable Information about child identity theft, and how to deal with it
- Medical Identity Theft: FAQs for Health Care Providers and Health Plans This Federal Trade Commission guide explains how medical identity theft happens, and how health care providers and insurers can help patients avoid or recover from it. The information may be beneficial for both citizens and health care providers.
- Medical Identity Theft This Federal Trade Commission link provides information about detecting medical identity theft, correcting mistakes in medical records, protecting medical information, and checking for other identity theft problems.
- The Idaho Scam Jam Alliance (ISJA) ( https://www.idscamjamalliance.org/ ) - A broad-based coalition of non-profit organizations and state agencies with the goal of educating and arming the public with the tools they need to identify and stay protected from fraud and identity theft
- The FTC’s link provides consumers with a step-by-step plan to report identity theft, as well as, provides guidance to consumers in choosing the best course of action through the recovery process.
- FINRA/BBB Smart Investing
- Investigate Before You Invest - Ten Do's and Don'ts For Investors
- Fighting Back Against Identity Theft (Federal Trade Commission)
- Protecting Your Finances: How to Avoid Investment Frauds and Scams
- Identity Theft Brochure: Word |PDF
- Predatory Lending Fact Sheet - The State of Idaho is working hard to protect borrowers from illegal and improper lending practices while still making sure that people get the credit they need. Prospective home buyers and other borrowers need to do their part by being careful about the lenders they select. Educating yourself about the techniques that dishonest lenders use will help you avoid becoming a victim of predatory lending.
Credit Cards and Consumer Lending
- The FDIC tip sheet entitled “Credit Reports Basics” outlines important consumer-related information regarding credit reports. Tips related to consumer protections available to consumers, as well as, guidance on building a better credit report.
- The FTC provides an informational brochure, which includes a ‘sample letter’ for consumers seeking information to help them dispute credit reporting errors. “Disputing Errors on Credit Reports”
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) link attached provides a variety of topics regarding credit scoring, and the factors considered in credit scoring calculations. Included on the CFPB’s link are also tips on consumer lending as well as, shopping for consumer loans.
- Consumer Lending: Tips and Information
- Money Smart
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Student Loan Information “PAYING FOR COLLEGE” - The CFPB offers information and tips regarding student loans, choices, and pitfalls.
- Twelve Principles of Personal Financial Literacy - The basics of financial literacy.
- Informational brochures about securing credit, advanced fee loan scams, and Fair Credit Billing
- Payday Loans in Idaho
- FRONTLINE Feature: "The Secret History of the Credit Card" - Frontline, with funding from PBS, has included educational links for citizens who are seeking more information on credit card use - tips to be aware of regarding credit cards, credit cards and personal responsibility - and more.
- Credit, Debit, and Charge Cards: An informational brochure with tips from the Federal Trade Commission regarding the characteristics of each type of card.
- Disputing Credit Card Charges: An informational brochure published by the Federal Trade Commission, that outlines the steps a consumer must take to dispute unauthorized credit card charges.
- Credit and Loans: A Federal Trade Commission link to a wide variety of credit-related brochures for consumers.
Mortgage Loans
- Owning a Home - The CFPB has available on its website a tip sheet entitled "Owning a Home." The tipsheet includes a homebuyer datasheet and mortgage calculator for potential homeowners who are considering buying a home in a few months or down the road. The datasheet is state-specific and updated daily.
- Consumer Alert: MORTGAGE SERVICING RULES FOR HOMEOWNERS - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - The Idaho Department of Finance offers tips and information for borrowers to help keep their mortgage on the right track.
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - Make The Most of Your Mortgage Checklist
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) - Requesting Information From Your Mortgage Servicer
- CFPB Mortgage Rule Servicing Update
Third-Party Collection, Debt and Credit Counseling / Debt Settlement Services
- The Federal Trade Commission provides a publication entitled “Choosing a Credit Counselor” for consumers who may be considering the services of a credit counselor. Debt/credit counselors, and credit repair companies are required to be licensed with the Idaho Department of Finance prior to conducting business with Idaho citizens.
- Debt Collection: Informational Questions and Answers regarding third-party collection provided by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. - Also included in this publication is a sample letter to help a debtor respond appropriately to a third-party collection against them.
- What's the difference between a credit counselor and a debt settlement company? - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau brochure that explains two types of services in managing debt. Both services may help if you are having trouble making payments on your debts. However, Credit counseling services are different from debt settlement companies in a number of ways.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act - Outlines debtor rights and third-party collector requirements under the Act
Information for Servicemembers
- The CFPB’s offers a link to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
- Navigating the Military Financial Lifestyle
- FTC Launches Website Dedicated to New Military Task Force.
- The CFPB has provided a link to the Fraud Alert Fact Sheet for Servicemembers. The Fact Sheet provides Servicemembers the information needed to implement protective alerts into their credit report prior to deployment.
- Idaho Military Financial Resources
- Fraud Protection Tools to Help Safeguard Servicemembers
- Financial-related tips and information offered exclusively to members of the military by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.