This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Credit Access issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Credit Reports & Credit Discrimination
Information about your right to credit from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.
Helping Clients Explore Their Personal Finance Rights (Video)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers this prerecorded webinar, in four short modules, to help consumers know their rights and call out potential violations. (2022) The modules include: Module 1: Consumer Rights [18:21]; Module 2: Credit and Housing Rights [16:14]; Module 3: Financial Products and Identify Theft Rights [15:59]; and Module 4: How to Submit a Complaint or Tell your Story [10:06]
New Rights for Buy Now, Pay Later Purchases
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information for consumers on their rights when using “buy now, pay later” options from companies such as Klarna, AfterPay, Sezzle, Affirm, Splitit, and PayPal. (December 2024)
Prepaid Card Protections (Video)
This video provides information on how new rules makes prepaid accounts safer to use – whether you’re swiping a card at the register, shopping online, or scanning your smartphone. (2019)
CFPB Consumer Complaint
Consumer complaints regarding financial products and services can be submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Free Credit Reports
The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission provides information on how to obtain the reports and what to do with them.
Credit Card Facts
Information for consumers on the use of credit cards from MidPenn Legal Services.
Credit Reports & Credit Discrimination
Information about your right to credit from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.
Getting or Cosigning for Credit
Information on obtaining credit from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network.
Credit Reporting Problems
You have the right to know what is contained in your credit file. If you have been denied credit, employment or insurance within the last sixty days, the Credit Bureau must show you your complete credit file at no charge. Even if you have not been denied credit, employment or insurance, you have the right to see your complete credit file at a reasonable charge. This provides more detailed information about credit reporting problems from the Erie County Bar Association. (2018)
Know Your Credit Rights
If you applied for a mortgage or a home equity loan, obtained a credit card or used a loan to purchase a car, then you are a credit consumer. As a credit consumer, you should know your legal rights and obligations. This Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association outlines a consumer’s rights and responsibilities under the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and bankruptcy laws generally. [PDF] (2013)
New Rights for Buy Now, Pay Later Purchases
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information for consumers on their rights when using “buy now, pay later” options from companies such as Klarna, AfterPay, Sezzle, Affirm, Splitit, and PayPal. (December 2024)
CFPB Consumer Complaint
Consumer complaints regarding financial products and services can be submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Credit Cards
Whether you’re shopping for a new card or getting a handle on an existing one, here are the resources you need to manage your credit cards from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Credit Cards and College Students
Every year hundreds of thousands of students head to college in Pennsylvania, almost half of them will be carrying at least one credit card. What’s more, students will be inundated with opportunities to apply for even more credit cards once they arrive at school, through on-campus promotions and applications in their mailboxes. With so much “easy credit” available, it is critical that young adults understand how important it is to live within their means and avoid getting into ballooning credit card debt. Poor credit decisions made in college can often follow a person for the rest of his or her life. This advisory provides general credit advice for students on credit card usage from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
Credit, Loans, and Debt
Consumer information from the Federal Trade Commission. Learn about getting and using credit, borrowing money, and managing debt.
Credit Scores
Creditors use credit scoring systems to figure out if you’d be a good risk for credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages. Phone companies and companies selling auto insurance and home insurance also use credit scores along with other factors to decide whether to sell you a policy or service. Credit scores also can affect the terms of the credit you’re offered. Having a higher credit score means businesses see you as less of a financial risk, which means you’re more likely to get credit or pay less for it.
Disputing Errors on Credit Reports
Your credit report contains information about where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. The Federal Trade Commission provides information on your rights under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act to ensure the information in that report is accurate.
Free Credit Reports
The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each of the nationwide credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission provides information on how to obtain the reports and what to do with them.
Helping Clients Explore Their Personal Finance Rights (Video)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers this prerecorded webinar, in four short modules, to help consumers know their rights and call out potential violations. (2022) The modules include: Module 1: Consumer Rights [18:21]; Module 2: Credit and Housing Rights [16:14]; Module 3: Financial Products and Identify Theft Rights [15:59]; and Module 4: How to Submit a Complaint or Tell your Story [10:06]
How can I improve my credit score? (Video)
This video from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides information on tools and resources that can help you improve your credit score. (2019)
Payday loans explained (Video)
When cash is tight, some people turn to payday and similar loans to make ends meet. For some people payday loans become debt traps and our new rule aims to end the cycle of debt. (2017)
Prepaid Card Protections (Video)
This video provides information on how new rules makes prepaid accounts safer to use – whether you’re swiping a card at the register, shopping online, or scanning your smartphone. (2019)
Three ways to build your credit score (Video)
This video from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides information on three trusted methods to help you improve your credit score. (2019)
What protections do I have against credit discrimination?
Credit discrimination prevents people from having access to attending college, opening businesses, and buying homes; and it can make credit more expensive. This article from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides some basic information about your protections against credit discrimination.