Because your credit is so important, the U.S. Government has established laws to make sure you're treated fairly with regard to your credit.

One of them is the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It deals with who can obtain a copy of your credit report, what can go in it and how to correct the report

The other is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. It insures that people attempting to collect a debt do not threaten or harass you in the process.

You can read about your rights in this section as well as download some FREE pamphlets from the Federal Trade Commission on the following subjects:

• Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws. Explains how consumer credit laws can help you apply for credit, keep up a good credit standing, and complain about an unfair deal.
  
• Fair Credit Reporting. How to check the data in your credit report and what to do if it's incorrect.
  
• How to Dispute Credit Report Errors. Gives tips on correcting errors, registering a dispute, and adding information to your file.
  
• Fair Debt Collection. Describes what debt collectors may and may not do if you owe money. How and where to complain if you are harassed, threatened, or abused.