Best Ways Consumers Can Protect Themselves

It's National Consumer Protection Week. So I've come up with a list of our stories and columns that will help you learn what your rights are as a consumer and how to protect yourself. The Federal Trade commission also has consumer-protection resources you might want to check out.

Credit cards and banking

FAQs on the New Credit-Card Rules: Sweeping changes shift the game in consumers' favor.

A New Ban on Overdraft Fees: The Federal Reserve is providing more protections for consumers.

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Investing

Our Man Goes Undercover and Tells All: The free trading-education seminars he attended turned out to be short on wisdom and long on hard sell.

Why It's Hard to Fight Brokers: Mad as hell over losses? You can go to arbitration, but the deck will be stacked against you.

Loans

This Pitch Is Legit: Reverse loans let seniors convert equity to cash, but at a price.

beware refund-anticipation loans: there are other ways to get cash fast without the high interest rates and fees.

scams

Protect Your Identity During the 2010 Census: Here's what you should expect when the government starts collecting information about your household next month.

Protect Your Identity Every Day: Follow these tips so that you never become a victim of ID theft.

Services

Resources to Help You Check Out a Company: Here's how to learn about the reputation of a business before you sign on the dotted line.

Complain and Get Results: If you're unhappy with a product or service you received, here's how to effectively lodge a complaint.

Shopping

Showing ID When Paying With a Card: Here's why you should think twice about handing over identification when paying with a credit card -- and what to do if the merchant won't accept your card if you refuse to show ID.

Get Your Fair Share When a Company Goes Broke: Here's what happens if you buy a gift card or make a down payment with a retailer that files for bankruptcy.