Links to Important Tools and Information:
Mortgage Calculator - Bankrate.com Banks / Banking:
Banking sites:
bankrate.com This Web site provides a great database of mortgages, loans and certificates of deposit. You can see the best rates anywhere in the country for one-year CDs, five-year CDs, whatever length you want. It's a great place to shop for money market accounts, auto loans -- you name it.
Credit unions:
Regulation:
Congress has given the responsibility of banks and federal credit unions to several federal agencies. If a consumer has a complaint against either a bank or federal credit union concerning debt collection, credit reporting, credit card disputes, or any
other banking regulation problem, they can contact the following agencies:
FDIC - Division of Compliance & Consumer Affairs - (877) 275-3342
The agents at this number can respond to or refer all inquiries - deposit
insurance coverage, open bank complaints, closed bank questions (lien
releases, etc) E-mail: consumer@fdic.gov. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency - Customer Assistance Group - 800-613-6743
1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3710
Houston, Texas 77010  Savings bonds: http://www.ustreas.gov/ - Get value of savings bonds.
Savings Bond Inquiry Center - 304-480-6112
To find information about US Savings Bonds or if you have lost a savings bond.
Bankruptcy
Services:
http://www.nfcc.org/ - National Foundation for Credit Counseling
- Find links and phone numbers for state and local member agencies in your area.
Bankrupcy Information:
Chapter 7 - This is most frequently used by individuals. Under this arrangement, a court appointed trustee collects your assets, sells them for cash, and makes distributions to creditors. You can keep assests that are exempt either under Federal law or the law of your home state. You cannont repeat this filing for 6 years.
Chapter 13 - This is designed for an individual debtor who has a regular income and stable job. Under this procedure, you pay debts off over a three to five year period and keep your property. At a confirmation hearing, the court either approves or disapproves the plan. A Chapter 13 can be filed at any time.
Chapter 11 - Reorganization and is generally targeted to businesses.
Chapter 12 - Farmers can use this procedure.
Under Federal law, bankruptcies remain on your credit report:
-Chapter 7, 11 - 10 years
-Chapter 12, 13 - 7 years
Credit cards / Credit reports
Credit reporting agencies:
Equifax
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, Ga 30348
To report fraud: Call 800-525-6285 and write to address above
To order credit report: 800-685-1111
(free copies only obtained by mail)
Experian (formerly TRW)
P. O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013
To report fraud: Call 888-397-3742 and write to address above.
Fax: 800-301-7196
To order credit report: 866-200-6020
(free copies only obtained by mail)
Transunion P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, Ca. 92834
To report fraud: 800-680-7289 and write to address above.
To order credit report: 800-888-4213
(free copies only obtained by mail)
Remember, you are entitled to a free credit report if you are a victim of identity theft, if you have been denied credit, if you receive welfare benefits, or if you are unemployed. The following shows how long information stays on your credit report:
1. Trade (Sears, Rich's, Macy's, etc.) credit card companies or collections agencies stay on credit report for 7 years from date of last activity.
2. Judgements or liens stay on credit report for 7 years from date it is filed.
3. Chapter 7 stays on for 10 years.
4. Medical is difficult and has to be handled case by case.
Credit unions & other finance agencies:
National Credit Union Administration -678-443-3000
If a consumer has a complaint against a federal credit union.
If credit union is not federally, but is state chartered, call your State Banking Commission.
Debtors Anonymous - 770-662-6060
Credit card rankings and rates:
CardWeb.com - CardWeb/CardTrak
Best deals on credit cards. To opt out of offers of credit card offers: For all three bureaus, call 888-567-8688.
This establishes a two-year opt-out.
For permanent opt-out status, put your request in writing.
Investing / Investments
Accountants & Financial Planners:
Institute of Certified Financial Planners Membership Organization - 800-282-7526
International Association for Financial Planners 800-945-4237
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards - 888-CFP-MARK
Find out if a planner is licensed as a CFP, status of license, and check on disciplinary action
Recommended steps for choosing a Financial Planner or a Stock Broker:
1. Ask trusted friend or advisor to refer
2. Call Secretary of State Securities Division or NASD for info
3. Interview in person
Nasdaq Stock Market Type in a company name or symbol and you are given recent news, financial information, stock performance charts, SEC filings and fundamentals. Edgar's database - Concerning everything filed with the SEC
Type a person's name or a company name into a keyword search and it retrieves documents related to the company including enforcement actions and financial reports. For advice about what types of companies to avoid and what information to expect from companies in which you plan to invest.
National Fraud Information Center - 800-876-7060
Provides information about areas such as bogus telemarketing, slamming and mail offers, including investment frauds.
Government regulations:
Electronic filing:
taxplanet.com - taxplanet.com - Education IRAs, tax laws and information Record keeping: Cancelled Checks - 7 years
Bank Deposit Slips - 7 years
Bank Statements - 7 years
Tax Returns - Forever
Employment Tax Returns - 7 years
Expense Reports - 7 years
Entertainment Records - 7 years
Financial Statements - Forever
Contracts - Forever
Minutes of Meetings - Life of Company plus 7 years
Corporate Stock Records - Forever
Employee Records - Period of Employment plus 7 years
Depreciation Schedules - Life of Business plus 7 years
Real Estate Records - Forever
Journal & General Ledger Life of Business plus 7 years
Inventory Records 7 years
Home Improvement Records Ownership period plus 7 years
Investment Records Ownership period plus 7 years
Tax deductions:
Georgia Department of Banking and Finance Georgia County Ad Valorem Tax Information Virtual Underwriter Mobile Attorney Services Georgia Department of Transportation Maps Federal/Bankruptcy Searches Georgia Code Post Office Zip Code Lookup Driver's License Renewal Apply for Federal EIN Number State of Georgia Agencies Georgia Department of Revenue Department of Corrections - Inmate Searches Supreme Court of Georgia State Bar of Georgia Internal Revenue Service |
