| A | B |
|---|
| bankruptcy | A legal process in which a person is relieved of debts but creditors can take some or all of the person's assets. |
| collection agent | A person or business that collects overdue bills. |
| consolidation loan | A loan that combines several debts into one loan with lower payments. |
| Consumer Credit Protection Act | A federal law, also known as the Truth Lending Law, that requires creditors to inform consumers of the costs and terms of credit and protects consumers from lost or stolen credit cards. |
| credit counselor | A person who helps consumers with their credit problems. |
| Equal Credit Opportunity Act | A federal law against denying credit on the basis of gender, age, ethnicity, or other difference. |
| Fair Credit Billing Act | A federal law requiring creditors to collect billing mistakes brought to their attention. |
| Fair Credit Reporting Act | A federal law giving people the right to know what it is in their credit files as credit bureaus. |
| Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) | A federal law that protects debtors from unfair methods and practices by collection agents. |
| truth-in-lending disclosure | A statement creditors must give to consumers informing them of the costs and terms of credit. |
| usury laws | A law that restricts the amount of interest that can be charged for credit. |
