Consumer information

A consumer who is informed is better prepared to make good financial decisions and avoid costly mistakes. The Oregon Division of Finance and Corporate Securities' (DFCS) Consumer Information webpages are intended to provide Oregonians with information about financial services including - but not limited to - investments (securities), loans, credit, and the prevention of financial scams and identity theft. Also included is the ability for consumers to raise their concerns about any of the financial areas the Division regulates by filing a complaint against companies or individuals.

Hot topics Got 60 minutes? Get credible, unbiased information about insurance, Medicare, reverse mortgages, and tips to prevent fraud and ID theft. Click here for more information. The Federal Bureau of Investigations assembled a list of the most common scams they have investigated and have provided tips to both identify and avoid these scams. Click here to read more... Keeping a good credit score The new federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers tips on how to get and keep a good credit score...pay attention to your credit report. read more... Foreclosure information Avoid foreclosure scams Homeowners having difficulties making their mortgage payments on time or facing foreclosure should beware of foreclosure scams. read more..... Help for homeowners facing foreclosure The Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative will use funding from the U.S. Treasury to deliver programs to help Oregonians prevent foreclosure. Applications for the first program, the Mortgage Payment Assistance Program, will be available in December. Click the links below for more about the initiative and other resources for homeowners facing foreclosure. Homeownership Stabilization Initiative General foreclosure information Identity theft Protect yourself from identity theft The Oregon Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act means consumers have more tools to protect themselves against identity theft. read more... Is your password weak? Your password is the first line of cyber defense against those trying to steal your identity, contact list and other information stored on your personal or company . Is your selected password strong enough to withstand a hacking? Here are some guidelines to make yours stronger and check out a list of not-so-secure passwords. read more...

Loans for consumers FICO score/house payment calculator Are you thinking of buying a house? Would you like to get an idea how your FICO score will affect your house payment? Visit myFICO.com for a calculator that will help you estimate an average monthly house payment. Consumer alert: tribal payday lenders It has come to our attention that a number of lenders offering short-term loans (payday loans) to Oregon consumers are subdivisions of, or affiliated with, federally-recognized Indian tribes. As a result, these companies may not be subject to the jurisdiction of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). We are still evaluating the law and the various tribes’ positions to determine if tribal lenders are outside Oregon’s authority. Click here to read more.... Check on a loan originator Find out if the loan originator you want to do business with is actively registered and has any enforcement actions. Click here for more information. Securities (investments) If municipal bonds are in your investing future, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released a new advisory bulletin covering all the basics. You will find definitions, disclosure information and possible risks here. Click here to read more... Caution: Low Interest Rates May Lead to Empty Promises Following the Federal Reserve's announcement that interest rates are expected to remain low until at least late 2014, investors should be aware of risky or outright fraudulent investments promising higher yields or returns. Click here to read more... Groundbreaking program helps medical professionals, caregivers identify vulnerability to investment fraud by seniors Seniors are increasingly targeted by scam artists attempting to defraud them of their hard-earned savings. Oregon has joined a program that will educate medical professionals and other caregivers on the warning signs. Click here to read more... Investor Alert: The increasing popularity of online social networking sites provides fertile ground for con artists touting shady investment deals. The North American Securities Administrators Association cautions investors to be careful about these online “friends.” read more... Protect your money Investing your money is risky enough without worrying about investment scams and con artists. Visit our website protectyourmoneyoregon.org to learn to learn more.