Financial
The information on this Web site is presented for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for informed medical advice or training. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a mental health problem without consulting a qualified health or mental health care provider.
This Web site provides links to other sites not owned or controlled by OLESEM that we think might be useful or of interest to you. The Web has an abundance of sites with information on wellness and mental health issues. Some sites are informative and based on good authority, others are merely entertaining. While we have been careful to research each site in hopes of providing you credible and accurate information, OLESEM does not endorse or guarantee references or a site listed and is not responsible for the content or privacy practices used by other site owners.
However, none of these sites is a satisfactory substitute for professional help. When people face serious personal problems that defy easy solutions, it usually is time to seek the services of qualified professionals. With that limitation in mind, the following Web sites may be of interest:
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Annual Credit Report
You are now able to request a free credit report once a year from the three national credit companies all at one time, and you can do so over the internet. If you want a little more information about the legitimacy of this site visit the Federal Trade Commission (click to visit) and read up on this new service. There's only one online source authorized to provide you free reports from each of the credit companies and that is https://www.annualcreditreport.com. Beware of other sites that may look and sound similar. Unfortunately, while you can get your credit reports once a year for free, the reports will not include your credit score. If you want to know your credit score you still must purchase that from the credit companies.
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American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC)
ACCC is a nationally recognized consumer credit (501)(c3) non-profit organization, helping people regain financial control through debt consolidation and credit counseling. The ACCC mission is to financially empower their clients to regain control of the quality of their lives through education and financial management.
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CNN/Money's Debt Reduction Planner
If you want to get out of debt you need to have a plan. Go to this site to see how your rate of payment and interest rates determine when you will be debt free. Please look at just how much of your money goes towards just paying interest.
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Credit Counseling Services - Credit counselors are falling all over themselves to help you out of debt, but some do more harm than good. Here's what you need to know, including whether you need it and the red flags for ripoffs.
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DOJ Criminal Division
This site provides information regarding Identity Theft and other information.
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Federal Citizen Information Center
This site provides a great deal of useful financial information. At this site you can learn about What is Identity Theft?, other topics include HOW TO PURCHASE A HOME; FINANCING; AVOIDING LOAN FRAUD; LOCATING THE BEST MORTGAGE; AND MUCH MORE. Be a smart consumer and protect your financial interests.
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Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
This site can assist you in avoiding the traps of "PREDATORY" HOME LOANS! Be careful when considering a home equity loan offer in the mail. It may sound like a great deal-?one that you can't afford to pass up! But before you send that application in, be aware that a few unscrupulous lenders are tricking cash-strapped, unknowing borrowers into expensive home equity loans and mortgages. The big risk: If you can't repay the loan you could lose your home. "Predatory" loans are the result of a company misleading, tricking and sometimes coercing someone into taking out a home loan (typically a home equity loan or mortgage refinancing) at excessive costs and without regard to the homeowner's ability to repay. Victims who have trouble repaying a predatory loan often face harassing collection tactics or are encouraged to refinance the loan at even higher fees. To learn more visit this site.
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Federal Information Center
Privacy Resources; Here are some helpful links to Federal sites, along with informative sites from other non-governmental organizations, all grouped by subject, like Identity Theft; Computer privacy issues; etc.
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
This site is to the U.S. government's central Web site for information about identity theft. This site is maintained by the FTC. Information is constantly being added to the site, including government reports and Congressional testimony, law enforcement updates, and links to other sites with helpful information about identity theft.
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IRS
Offers tax information and other related information.
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Money.gov
Welcome to mymoney.gov, the Federal Government's Web site dedicated to helping Americans understand more about their money - how to save it, invest it, and manage it to meet your personal goals. As a first step, please send for the free "My Money" tool kit. It has information to help you choose and use credit cards, get out of debt, protect your credit record, understand your Social Security benefits, insure your bank deposits, and start a savings and investing plan. Just click on the Free "My Money" tool kit link above, fill out the order form it will bring up, and we'll be glad to send your "My Money" tool kit right away. Thanks for visiting mymoney.gov. This Web site is managed by the federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission.
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National Foundation For Credit Counseling
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Social Security Administration
This site offers provides information related to the SSA and related benefits. Visit this site to answer your questions or to learn more about the benefits and services offered through the SSA.
IDENTITY THEFT ADVICE
If you become a victim of identity theft, there are ways to recover your good credit rating. First, report the identity theft to Social Security's Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Then, report it to the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Hotline, 1-877-IDTHEFT. You also should contact the three major credit bureaus, tell them you're an identity theft victim and ask them to place a fraud alert on your records. The credit bureaus are:
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