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      • Establishing Credit
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      • Prepaid Debit Cards
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      • Credit Scams
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      • Security Freezes
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      • Bill of Rights
    • IDENTITY THEFT
      • Identify Theft Basics
      • Reducing Your Risk
      • Am I an ID Theft Victim?
      • Your Identify Theft Toolkit
      • Getting a Free Annual Credit Report
      • Reviewing Your Credit Report
      • Fraud Alerts
      • Security Freezes
      • Data Breaches
      • Filing an Identity Theft Police Report
      • Helpful ID Theft Resources
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      • Rent Stabilization Program
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    • BASICS FOR RENTERS/LANDLORDS
      • Before You Rent
      • Living in Your Rental Unit
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    • PROGRAMS
      • Foreclosure Prevention
      • Homeowner Notification
      • Resources for Landlords
      • Rent Registry
      • Webinars & More Resources
      • Short-Term RentalsLINK
    • BASICS FOR HOMEOWNERS
      • Buying a Home
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      • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
      • Tax Preparation Checklist
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    • TRAINING INSTITUTE
      • Training Institute homepage
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      • Empowering Conversations webinars
    • FINANCIAL RESOURCES
      • Student Loan Debt
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      • Budget WorksheetPDF
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      • More Resources
      • Center for Financial Empowerment Mission
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    • MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS
      • Basics For Workers
      • Submit a Wage ComplaintLink
      • Is This Workplace in an
        Unincorporated Area?PDF
      • FAQs
    • MINIMUM WAGE FOR BUSINESSES
      • Basics for Employers
      • Required 2024-25 Workplace PostingPDF
      • Understanding Misclassification in
        the Workplace (English)PDF
      • Understanding Misclassification in
        the Workplace (Spanish)PDF
    • MINIMUM WAGE RESOURCES
      • More Minimum Wage Laws
      • LA County
        Minimum Wage OrdinancePDF
      • Santa Monica Wage OrdinanceLINK
      • West Hollywood Minimum Wage OrdinanceLINK
      • City of Los Angeles
        Office of Wage StandardsLINK
      • State of California
        Industrial RelationsLINK
      • California Fast-Food Workers Minimum Wage FAQsLink
      • Unincorporated LA County Wage Ordinances
    • WORKER PROTECTION LAWS
      • Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
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Your Credit

a picture of a credit card being frozen

Security Freezes

A security freeze stops the major credit reporting agencies from sharing your credit information with potential creditors.
a picture of credit report sign

Getting Your Free Annual Credit Report

How to get a free credit report from the three credit reporting agencies every year.
a picture of a credit card impersonating a mouse trap

Credit Scams

Don’t get ripped off by loans that you pay for, instant loan checks in the mail, and credit repair scams.
a picture of your credit record on a tablet

Improving Your Credit Record

Improve your credit report and keep up a good credit history. Avoid credit repair scams.
a picture of a fraud alert button

Avoiding Fraud

A fraud alert is a warning to potential creditors that your personal identifying information has been compromised.
a picture of magnifying glass checking a credit score

Reviewing Your Credit Report

What to look for when reviewing your credit report and how to correct any errors.
a picture a consumers credit being denied

Getting Denied Credit

What to do if you are turned down for a credit card or loan. How companies decide who gets credit.
a picture of a credit score meter

Establishing Credit

How to get your first credit card or loan and manage credit responsibly.
a picture of a credit card for consumers

Credit Card Disputes

Resolve billing disputes and errors with your credit card company. You can also dispute charges for defective and misrepresented goods directly with the merchant.
a picture of a prepaid card for consumers

Prepaid Debit Cards

They offer an alternative which allows you to make purchases at any business that accepts debit cards. However, in most cases, the risks outweigh the benefits.
an picture of a past due sign

Collection Agencies

What to do if they contact you.
a picture of a credit card being frozen

Security Freezes

A security freeze stops the major credit reporting agencies from sharing your credit information with potential creditors.
a picture of credit report sign

Getting Your Free Annual Credit Report

How to get a free credit report from the three credit reporting agencies every year.
a picture of a credit card impersonating a mouse trap

Credit Scams

Don’t get ripped off by loans that you pay for, instant loan checks in the mail, and credit repair scams.
a picture of your credit record on a tablet

Improving Your Credit Record

Improve your credit report and keep up a good credit history. Avoid credit repair scams.
a picture of a fraud alert button

Avoiding Fraud

A fraud alert is a warning to potential creditors that your personal identifying information has been compromised.
a picture of magnifying glass checking a credit score

Reviewing Your Credit Report

What to look for when reviewing your credit report and how to correct any errors.
a picture a consumers credit being denied

Getting Denied Credit

What to do if you are turned down for a credit card or loan. How companies decide who gets credit.
a picture of a credit score meter

Establishing Credit

How to get your first credit card or loan and manage credit responsibly.
a picture of a credit card for consumers

Credit Card Disputes

Resolve billing disputes and errors with your credit card company. You can also dispute charges for defective and misrepresented goods directly with the merchant.
a picture of a prepaid card for consumers

Prepaid Debit Cards

They offer an alternative which allows you to make purchases at any business that accepts debit cards. However, in most cases, the risks outweigh the benefits.
an picture of a past due sign

Collection Agencies

What to do if they contact you.


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  • CONSUMERS
    • YOUR MONEY
      • Purchases
      • Contracts
      • Avoiding Fraud
      • Credit/Debit Cards
      • Agencies
      • Unpaid Medical Bills
      • Smarter Seniors
    • YOUR CREDIT
      • Establishing Credit
      • Getting Denied Credit
      • Improving Your Credit Record
      • Prepaid Debit Cards
      • Getting A Free Annual Credit Report
      • Reviewing Your Credit Report
      • Collection Agencies
      • Credit Scams
      • Credit Card Disputes
      • Security Freezes
      • Fraud Alerts
    • YOUR CAR
      • Buying a New Car
      • Buying a Used Car
      • Co-signing for a Car
      • The Lemon Law
      • Leasing a Car
      • Service Contracts & Extended Warranties
      • Canceling a Contract
      • Car Repairs
      • Car Safety: Recalls & Child Car Seats
      • Car Title Loans
      • Vehicle Repossessions
      • Bill of Rights
    • IDENTITY THEFT
      • Identify Theft Basics
      • Reducing Your Risk
      • Am I an ID Theft Victim?
      • Your Identify Theft Toolkit
      • Getting a Free Annual Credit Report
      • Reviewing Your Credit Report
      • Fraud Alerts
      • Security Freezes
      • Data Breaches
      • Filing an Identity Theft Police Report
      • Helpful ID Theft Resources
  • TENANTS & LANDLORDS
    • PROGRAMS
      • Housing & Tenant Protections
      • L.A. County Rent Relief
      • L.A. County’s COVID-19 Tenant Protections Resolution
      • Tenant Right to Counsel
      • Resources for Landlords
      • Rent Stabilization Program
      • Rent Registry
    • BASICS FOR RENTERS/LANDLORDS
      • Before You Rent
      • Living in Your Rental Unit
      • Moving Out of Your Rental
  • HOMEOWNERS
    • PROGRAMS
      • Foreclosure Prevention
      • Homeowner Notification
      • Resources for Landlords
      • Rent Registry
      • Webinars & More Resources
      • Short-Term RentalsLINK
    • BASICS FOR HOMEOWNERS
      • Buying a Home
      • Owning Your Home
      • Saving Your Home
      • Rebuilding Your Home
  • FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
    • BANKON
      • What is BankOn
      • Opening a Checking Account
      • BankOn Partners
    • FREE TAX PREP
      • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
      • Tax Preparation Checklist
      • Tax Dispute Help Assistance
    • TRAINING INSTITUTE
      • Training Institute homepage
      • CFE Financial Capability Summit
      • Empowering Conversations webinars
    • FINANCIAL RESOURCES
      • Student Loan Debt
      • Get Ahead LA
      • Budget WorksheetPDF
      • Financial Services
      • Financial Tips
      • CFE Resource GuidePDF
      • More Resources
      • Center for Financial Empowerment Mission
  • WORKERS
    • MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS
      • Basics For Workers
      • Submit a Wage ComplaintLink
      • Is This Workplace in an
        Unincorporated Area?PDF
      • FAQs
    • MINIMUM WAGE FOR BUSINESSES
      • Basics for Employers
      • Required 2024-25 Workplace PostingPDF
      • Understanding Misclassification in
        the Workplace (English)PDF
      • Understanding Misclassification in
        the Workplace (Spanish)PDF
    • MINIMUM WAGE RESOURCES
      • More Minimum Wage Laws
      • LA County
        Minimum Wage OrdinancePDF
      • Santa Monica Wage OrdinanceLINK
      • West Hollywood Minimum Wage OrdinanceLINK
      • City of Los Angeles
        Office of Wage StandardsLINK
      • State of California
        Industrial RelationsLINK
      • California Fast-Food Workers Minimum Wage FAQsLink
      • Unincorporated LA County Wage Ordinances
    • WORKER PROTECTION LAWS
      • Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
      • Health and Safety Retaliation
      • Prevention of Human Trafficking
  • SMALL CLAIMS
    • I WANT TO SUE
      • How to Sue & Postponements
      • Who to Sue
      • Judgment
      • Appeals
    • I AM BEING SUED
      • What to Do
      • Countersuing
      • Judgment
      • Appeals
    • FORMS
      • Forms: Before Your Case
      • Forms: After Your Case
      • Sample Forms
    • RESOURCES
      • LA-ODR (TurboCourt)
      • Resource Videos
      • Webinars
  • MEDIATION
    • Countywide Dispute Resolution Program
    • Mediation through DCBA
    • LA-ODR (TurboCourt): Unlawful Detainer
    • Request MediationGet Help
    • Access Your CaseLink
    • Webinar Recordings
  • MORE SERVICES
    • OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT
      • OCM Events Calendar
      • Public Comment & EIR Notice of Preparation Review
      • Commercial Zoning Ordinance & Environmental Review
      • Los Angeles County Cannabis Equity Assessment
      • Information for Businesses
      • Cannabis Emblem Program
      • Consumers: Stay Informed
    • OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS
      • About OIA
      • Services
      • Immigration Issues
      • Asylees & Refugees
      • Path to Citizenship
      • OIA News and Updates
    • POLICY & ADVOCACY
      • Board Correspondence
    • OUR LOCATIONS
      • South Whittier Community Resource CenterSWCRC
      • Self-Help Legal Access Centers
      • DCBA Events Calendar
      • Book a Phone Appointment
      • Book an In-Person Appointment (Downtown L.A)
  • Get Help
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