Explaining the Law and Providing Self-Help Information for Low-Income Iowans
There are 9 resources
Beware of Free Trial Offers
Some consumers get charged for products or services and don?t even know it. This happens especially with ?free trial offers? for buying club memberships, travel clubs or ?credit card protection plans.?
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Complaint Assistant Form (Separate Website)
(Separate Website)
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, identity theft, and episodes of violence in the media.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Just Say "No" to Unwanted Door-to-Door Sales
While there are reputable businesses that sell door-to-door, many use high pressure and assorted tricks to get your money. The best way to deal with a salesperson who is selling something you don’t need or want is to just say “NO”!
By: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
Payday Loans - a Convenience You Can't Afford!
The use of "payday loans" (also sometimes known as "cash advance loans," "check advance loans"
or "delayed deposit checks") has become a ritual for many working Iowans, including the elderly.
Unfortunately, the Iowans using these types of services do not realize what the service is costing them.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Predatory Lending - Don't Be a Victim
Predatory lenders take advantage of unsuspecting consumers by marketing and making mortgage loans with vastly inflated interest rates and fees and other burdensome terms. Predatory lending is a serious problem throughout the country, one that can leave you penniless and homeless.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Refinancing
A lot of people try to deal with debt by refinancing their loans. Refinancing means paying an old debt with a new debt. Sometimes that makes sense because your total cost of borrowing money may be less. Refinancing may look good now when interest rates are lower than they have been in years. However, smaller monthly payments do not always mean that refinancing will be a good deal for you as a consumer. This article takes a general look at this topic and gives some tips to protect yourself.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
The Basic Rules of Credit Cards
Using a credit card to cover a major purchase or essential family living expense is generally a bad idea. Credit cards should only be used as a source of funding for emergencies such as car repairs, or for short-term loans for large purchases only.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
The Federal Trade Commission
Your funeral may be one of the most expensive consumer purchases you or your family ever makes. Most people, however, do not handle a funeral purchase the same way they approach other major purchases. To avoid overspending, it helps to understand your rights under the "Funeral Rule" enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Watch Your Wallet!
Getting into a debt-rut is a lot easier than getting out of it. Here are some tips about special pitfalls common to high-priced debt .
By: Iowa Legal Aid
Iowa Legal Aid's goal is to communicate effectively with our clients. We can use large print, Relay Iowa, language translation service, or other steps for effective communication. Interpretation and translation services and reasonable accommodations will be provided at no cost to qualified applicants. Please let us know if any special service is needed to provide legal help to you.
The Iowa Legal Aid Website is a project of Iowa Legal Aid, the Volunteer Lawyer Projects of the Iowa State Bar and Polk County Bar Associations and HELP Legal Assistance.
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