Reports

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January 2010

IRS Information Returns: An Identity Thief's Dream?

What do you need to know about Facebook's new privacy settings? Check these resources.

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What Will New Credit Card Regulations Mean for You?

January 2010

In May 2009, the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, often called the Credit Card Act 2009 was signed into law. The first of the new credit card rules designed to protect consumers went into effect in late August 2009. The remaining regulations take effect in February 2010. The goal of this legislation is to provide new protections for consumers by providing for better disclosures about credit card terms and limiting some practices. Your credit union has always offered a very good card with clear and fair terms, but that has not been true of all issuers. Currently, for instance, many large credit card issuers are busy making changes to protect their profits before the new rules take effect. What do the new regulations and card issuers’ actions mean for you and your use of credit and credit cards? This report gives you a preview.

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Campus Cards

In college, or going there soon? Here’s a rundown on the “Campus Card” many schools now provide students.

Campus cards are a jazzed-up version of a student identification card. Initially, these cards were used for meal plans in the cantina. Over the past few years, however, campus cards were assigned other uses:

• The card virtually always gives you access to residence halls and other campus buildings.
• The card may give you discounts on recreational facilities, books and school materials, sporting events, or even shuttles and public transportation.
• In some states you may get a tax break while using your campus card.
• At some schools, you can even use your campus card as an ATM card.

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What Do You Need to Know About Buying a House in Today's Market?

December 2009

Thinking of buying a new home? Today’s housing market offers opportunities, pitfalls, and confusing situations. For example, home prices on average may be the most affordable they’ve been in twenty years, according to experts, but placing the right value on a home can be difficult, given the high rate of foreclosures on the market and other variables. Mortgage rates remain low, but loan qualification requirements have tightened. And the list of potential concerns goes on. This month, we’ll look at some of the information and steps necessary for shopping and buying wisely in today’s housing market.