What is the SDN list? The Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list is maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. The list contains names of individuals and companies that are controlled by or acting on behalf of targeted countries. It also contains names of drug traffickers, arms dealers, and suspected terrorists.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), or 47 U.S.C. § 227, protects consumers from spam texts and robocalls by restricting how and when telemarketing can take place. The act specifically addresses auto-dialing, pre-recorded voice messages, and spam text messages to cell phones, faxes, and residential land lines. According to the TCPA, solicitors cannot: Send unsolicited advertising faxes. Make calls before 8 a.m.
Are you getting married? Marriage is a big step for both your personal life and your finances. As you build a life together, it’s important to understand exactly how your credit score might change as a result of your new commitments. Marriage may not directly affect your score, but if you are applying for things like joint credit
You’ve surely heard the terms “credit score,” “credit report,” and “credit bureaus,” but, like many Americans, you’re probably not exactly sure what they mean. Every consumer deserves to know exactly how and why a credit score is calculated. We’re going to break these concepts down so that you can feel confident in all your credit-related
Credit scores are important; they are a significant factor in determining loans, housing, and even employment. Most consumers have many questions about their credit score. For instance: what is a credit score? Who determines your credit score? How do you improve your score? Myth: Credit repair companies work. Reality: Credit repair companies that advertise a quick resolution for
What is credit monitoring? Credit monitoring services, like those offered by TransUnion or Experian, watch your credit report for any changes or fraud and send you alerts if they detect any unusual activity. These services can cost more than $30 each month, which is a steep cost to pay when you can perform many of these services
Are you going on vacation this summer? It’s prime vacation time in the United States, and alongside 100 million other Americans, you’re probably excited to rest and relax with your loved ones. With the allure of fun in the sun, it may be tempting to quickly book a hotel or pay for an unofficial tour, but sometimes your eagerness can result
Consumer protection attorney Mark Mailman was featured in an article about the Fair Credit Reporting Act and employment screening by Megan Cerullo at CBS News. Employers are frequently relying on background checks to screen future and current employees, and Mark Mailman explains that this practice is only becoming more prevalent. Under the FCRA, employers must
What is a secured credit card? Have you heard about Amazon’s Credit Builder Card, which was launched earlier this month? You may be wondering if this kind of card is the right choice for your financial situation. A secured card is a type of credit card that is designed to help an individual with a low credit score
What is a data breach? Data breaches can happen at any time at any business or service that you have used, and chances are, you have already used a product owned by a company associated with a data breach. You may have heard about recent data breaches at the Oregon Department of Human Services, U.S. Customs and Border