Chapter 06 Smart sites The American Banker’s Association provides helpful information about shopping for credit and managing debt at its consumer education site. Link to it at http://www.thomsonedu.com/finance/gitman. http://www.aba.com/Consumer+Connection/default.htm Which credit cards are best? The Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms, a nonprofit consumer organization, offers free independent ratings that evaluate interest rates, fees, and benefits of leading cards. Go to their Web site at http://www.thomsonedu.com/finance/gitman. http://www.cardratings.com/ Looking for the best rates on credit cards? CardWeb.com lets you compare credit card offers from major providers. Link to their site at http://www.thomsonedu.com/finance/gitman. http://www.cardweb.com/ If you need a home equity line of credit but your credit is not the best, Bankrate.com can point you to the best rates in your own state or suggest a more distant bank with a good deal. Visit their site by linking at http://www.thomsonedu.com/finance/gitman. http://www.bankrate.com/brm/compare_rates_home.asp To learn more about FICO scores, including what’s in your FICO score, what’s not in it, and what you can do to improve it, visit the Fair Isaac & Co. Web site by linking at http://www.thomsonedu.com/finance/gitman. http://www.myfico.com/ Use About.com’s Credit Card Calculators to find out how interest rate changes affect your balance, if debt consolidation makes sense, and answers to similar questions. Go to their Web site at http://www.thomsonedu.com/finance/gitman. http://credit.about.com/ The Federal Trade Commission provides consumer information on credit, your credit rights, and links to other resources. Click on their link at http://www.thomsonedu.com/ finance/gitman. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/credit.shtm Safeguard your identity with the help of The Identity Theft Resource Center, where you’ll find scam and consumer alerts, resources, information on current legislation, and more. Link to their site at http://www.thomsonedu.com/finance/gitman. http://www.idtheftcenter.org/ In over your head with credit card debt? The National Foundation for Consumer Credit has links to credit counseling agencies, free budgeting calculators, and helpful tips on getting out of debt. Link to their Web site at http://www.thomsonedu.com/finance/gitman . http://www.nfcc.org