Resources for Consumers

NCLC has developed a number of guides, brochures, and fact sheets to help consumers understand their rights and make the best choices possible despite difficult financial circumstances. Resources for consumers are sorted below by issue.

How to Get Legal Assistance

While our resources do not permit us to respond to most individual consumer complaints, we do have some materials to help consumers get legal assistance.

Learn More

Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project

NCLC’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project has launched a newly updates, consumer-facing website with resources and advice.

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Surviving Debt book cover

New Resource Empowers Consumers Battling Mounting Debt 

January 27, 2025

Free Online, the 2025 Edition of Surviving Debt Provides New Resources on Student Debt, Medical Debt, and Homeowners’ Rights

Read More about: New Resource Empowers Consumers Battling Mounting Debt 
July 14, 2023
September 30, 2022

View Consumer Resources by Issue

Access to Justice

View All for Access to Justice
How to Opt-Out of a Forced Arbitration Clause

July 27, 2023

Auto Finance & Sales

View All for Auto Finance & Sales
Motor Vehicle Repossessions

June 4, 2018

Auto Add-Ons Add Up: Tips for Consumers Considering Purchasing Auto Add-On Products

October 1, 2017

Consumer Reporting & Data Fairness

View All for Consumer Reporting & Data Fairness
How to File a Complaint With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) About Credit Repair

July 14, 2023

Essentials About Credit Reporting

September 6, 2018

Consumer Concerns: Information for Advocates Representing Older Adults

December 17, 2014

Disputing Errors in a Credit Report

September 2, 2014

What You Should Know About Your Credit Report

October 25, 2011

Disasters & Pandemics

View All for Disasters & Pandemics
Digital Library: Twelve Tips for Homeowners After Natural Disasters

October 1, 2024

Free Chapter: Homeowner Rights During Natural Disasters

September 30, 2022

Debt & Bankruptcy

View All for Debt & Bankruptcy
NCLC Digital Library: Best Practices in Responding to IRS Debt

September 26, 2024

New Process to Discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy

February 15, 2024

FAQs: Can a Nursing Home Force a Resident’s Family and Friends to Pay the Bill?

September 7, 2023

NCLC Publishes 2023 Edition of Surviving Debt: Expert Advice for Getting Out of Financial Trouble

February 1, 2023

Consumer Advice: Dealing with Debt Collectors After New Reg. F

February 1, 2022

Consumer Advice: Dealing with Debt Collectors—Including the New Federal Rules

January 31, 2022

Guide to Reducing Hospital Bills for Lower-Income Patients

February 11, 2020

Deciding Whether to File Bankruptcy

September 18, 2018

Criminal Justice Debt: Consumer Debt Advice from NCLC

June 29, 2018

Equity & Racial Justice

View All for Equity & Racial Justice
FAQs: Can a Nursing Home Force a Resident’s Family and Friends to Pay the Bill?

September 7, 2023

High-Cost Credit

View All for High-Cost Credit
Consumer Alert: Deceptive Auto Repair Financing Practices

May 10, 2022

The Truth About Credit Reports & Credit Repair Companies

May 10, 2019

Don’t Let Deferred Interest Ruin Your Holidays

November 1, 2018

Your Credit Card Rights

August 9, 2016

Homeownership & Foreclosure

View All for Homeownership & Foreclosure
Zombie Second Mortgage Resources

October 3, 2022

Are You a Reverse Mortgage Non-Borrowing Spouse? Tips to Help You Remain in Your Home

February 5, 2020

Defending a Home from Foreclosure

July 26, 2018

Current Options to Lower Mortgage Payments

July 19, 2018

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Mortgage Payments

July 9, 2018

A Reverse Mortgage Primer

May 24, 2018

Guide for Homebuyers: Tips for Getting a Safe Mortgage You Can Afford

December 1, 2015

Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications

View All for Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
Massachusetts Utility Consumer Rights Course

June 25, 2025

Massachusetts Open Utility Q&A Hour: Retroactive Discounts, Tiered Rates, and Affordability

May 21, 2025

Massachusetts Utility Consumer Rights Course

April 17, 2025

Massachusetts Utility Consumer Rights Course

April 17, 2025

Utility Help in Massachusetts

March 13, 2025

Immigrants’ Rights Resources in Massachusetts

November 30, 2023

Keeping the Heat and Lights on for Massachusetts Residents

January 1, 2013

Mass. LIHEAP Information

MA Open Energy and Utility Q&A Hour: Keeping Clients Cool in the Summer

June 27, 2024

Robocalls & Texts

View All for Robocalls & Texts
Getting Calls from Fake Debt Collectors? 

May 5, 2025

Seven Top Tips for Consumers to Stop Illegal Robocalls

December 16, 2024

Consumer Resources for Scam Calls and Texts

February 21, 2024

FCC & State Attorneys General Warn Consumers of Increased Risk of Student Loan Debt Scam Robocalls and Robotexts

June 30, 2023

Hanging Up on Robocall Scams

March 5, 2020

Hanging Up on Telemarketing Robocalls

March 5, 2020

Student Loans

View All for Student Loans
Student Loan Toolkit Helps Borrowers Manage Repayment 

June 6, 2024

Student Loan Toolkit

May 20, 2024

Fortune: Advice for student loan borrowers now the payment pause is over (Video)

September 17, 2023

Digital Library: Student Loan Borrower Rights After the Supreme Court Ruling

July 10, 2023

Student Loan Borrower Assistance: What Borrowers Need to Know About the New Time-Limited Fresh Start Initiative

March 21, 2023

Top 10 Ways the New Borrower Defense Rule Is Worse for Borrowers

September 22, 2019

Student Loan Repayment Rights

August 2, 2018

From the NCLC Digital Library

Surviving Debt

A leading resource for over 25 years, Surviving Debt provides precise, practical, and hard-hitting advice from the nation’s consumer law experts on how to deal with crushing debt affecting millions of Americans.

Read Chapter One
Surviving Debt book cover