Resources: Chapter 3

STATE LINKS

Illinois Division of Banks and Realtors (OBRE)
Protects and educates the public on matters associated with the banking and real estate industries. In addition, it oversees the regulation and licensure of state-chartered banks and many other agencies.

Illinois Division of Financial Institutions (DFI)
The Financial Institutions Code provides the authority to regulate, license, examine and investigate currency exchanges, credit unions, consumer finance companies, title insurance companies and money transmitters.

Illinois Division of Insurance (DOI)
The Division of Insurance assists in obtaining information about an insurance provider's license. You can also file complaints about insurance companies through this department.

Illinois Legal Aid
Provides easy-to-understand legal information and assistance to the public.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL LINKS

Center for Responsible Lending
Educates the public about predatory lending practices and prevents this type of financial abuse.

Credit Smart
A service of Freddie Mac, Credit Smart is a consumer guide to rebuilding credit.

DebtAdvice.Org
Designed to help consumers understand the wise use of credit and locate a caring, certified counselor if they are in need of assistance.

DMA Consumer Assistance Site
Offers information and resources on how to protect your rights as a consumer, and your private information.

Dun and Bradstreet
Provides global business information, business tools, and business and nonprofit credit reports.

Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
A public interest research center in Washington, D.C. that focuses on civil liberties issues and how to protect one's privacy.

Equifax
Credit counseling and other resources for those interested in maintaining good credit or repairing credit.

FCC: Federal Communications Commission
Regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite,and cable.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Monitors credit bureaus and telemarketers, enforces credit-related laws, and offers free information about credit organizations.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Protection Information
This section of the FTC's Website provides publications that feature advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs, as well as tips on other consumer topics.

National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
The federal agency that charters and supervises federal credit unions and insures savings in federal and most state-chartered credit unions.

National Foundation for Credit Counseling
Provides credit counseling and debt management services. Member organizations work with consumers to settle debts with their creditors and provide information on debt management issues.

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
Charters, regulates, and supervises national banks. (National banks contain the word national or N.A. in their title -- i.e., National City Bank or First National.)

Office of Thrift Supervision
The primary regulator of all federally chartered and many state-chartered thrift institutions, which include savings banks and savings and loan associations. These banks have FSB or FA as part of their name.

Privacy Clearing House
Dedicated to raising the public's awareness about technology's impact on personal privacy.

Suze Orman's Financial Planning and Management Resources
Offers links and information on financial and personal planning resources such as debt management and insurance quotes.

Computershare
Offers corporate issuer and retail shareholder services, employee plan administration and access to direct stock purchase plan investing.

TransUnion Credit counseling and other resources for those interested in maintaining good credit or repairing their credit.

UP Bankruptcy
Offers articles about bankruptcy issues.