Credit Cards

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State's finance score above average

Consumers in New York are faring better than those in 30 other states, though New Yor...

Applications Being Accepted for Hanna S. Cohn Equal Justice Fellowship

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POLICY ADVOCACY

GRCRC Wants Stronger CRA Regulations

The Greater Rochester Community Reinvestment Coalition, convened by Empire Justice Ce...

GRCRC Asks Federal Regulators to Strengthen Mortgage Lending Data Regulations

To coordinate with hearings being held across the country, the Greater Rochester Comm...

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The River Runs Dry: Decreased Access to Mortgage Credit in Rochester’s Underserved Neighborhoods

This report documents a dramatic decrease in prime mortgage lending made between 2006...

Paying More for the American Dream IV

A report documenting a dramatic decrease in low-cost home loans and highlighting that...

NEWSLETTERS

Spring 2010 :

This issue of the Legal Services Journal contians articles on Consumer and Community Development, Immigration, Public Benefits and Disability Benefits. Read More

Winter 2009-2010 :

In this issue of the Legal Services Journal, you will find Empire Justice Center's Legislative Agenda for 2009-2011 and articles on Domestic Violence, Immigration, Child Care, Public Benefits, Child Support and Consumer and Community Development. Read More


UPCOMING EVENTS

Webinar: Federal Financial Reform, the New Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Impact on Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

Hear about the details of the new federal financial reform and the creation of a Cons...

Webinar: HAMP Update

The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) has evolved considerably since it was...

Credit cards offer great convenience but can quickly snowball into a load of debt if the card holder is unable to pay off the balance each month.  It is important to shop around for rates and terms.  Websites that help consumers shop and compare cards include: 

  • Center for Responsible Lending provides information about the basics of credit card usage, tricks and traps to avoid, and a credit card repayment calculator.
  • Bank Rate provides free credit card tips and information.
  • Consumer Action features credit card surveys of interest rates, fees and other terms, and provides brochures and guides on choosing and using credit cards.
  • Card Ratings lists and reviews credit cards, and offers tips and credit card calculators.

If you have a problem with your credit card company, first call the company and try to resolve the problem.  If you fail to resolve the issue, ask for the name, address and phone number of its regulatory agency, or to find out who regulates your bank, click here.

Articles 

Holding Credit Card Companies Accountable
May 14, 2010
The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act (“CARD”), which went into effect in February of this year, is a much needed step in efforts to reform America’s credit card industry. CARD’s provisions (highlighted below) are helpful but additional safeguards are still needed to protect consumers. Read More

Debt Settlement Scams
August 13, 2009
Debt Settlement companies promise to help consumers escape from mounting credit card debt, while paying only a fraction of the money owed. These companies promise to help consumers by negotiating directly with creditors. Some of them even promise that a lawyer will help with the negotiations Read More

New Law to Protect Victims of Identity Theft
August 1, 2008
On July 7, 2008, Governor Paterson signed into law his identify theft program bill. The law includes restrictions for the use of social security numbers for personal identification by employers, businesses and the government, and outlaws possession of “skimmer” devices which can obtain personal information from credit cards for the purpose of committing identity theft. Read More

Veto Message - Bill Number 809-A
August 18, 2006
Assembly bill number 809-A " An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting issuers of credit cards from increasing the rate of interest imposed upon outstanding balance based upon a holder's indebtedness or late payments to other creditors" Read More