Consumer Assistance
Resources for Consumer Assistance, including helpful links and brochures.
Credit Card and Other Data Breaches
Protect yourself. Report fraud.
Residents are encouraged to check their account statements on a regular basis and if you believe your credit or debit card has been compromised, lost, or stolen, take action immediately. The Federal Trade Commission suggests that consumers contact the card issuer and report the loss or theft immediately, follow up with your institution by mail, keep copies of statements and letters, and keep a record of the dates you made calls or sent letters.
- Alert your bank or card provider immediately if fraud is suspected
- Follow up with your bank or card provider and keep records
- Avoid scams that ask for personal information by email or phone
The complete consumer advisory is available on the Consumer Finance Protection website.
New Hampshire Banking Department "Tips for Avoiding Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft" brochure
FDIC's "Know Your Risk. Protect Your Money"
Information on banking deposit insurance and how it can protect you in the event of a bank failure. Learn more here.
What to do if you discover an unauthorized electronic transfer on your bank account
You should notify the bank immediately and provide certain account information (e.g., name on the account, type of account) and information about the transactions you did not authorize. For more information click here.
Escrow FAQ
Frequently asked questions about escrow
Pass It On!
A campaign against fraud sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission. Learn more about Pass It On!
Virtual Currencies
Do you have questions or concerns about virtual currencies such as Bitcoin? Please visit our Virtual Currencies information page.
Your money is at greater risk when you hold it in a payment app
PayPal, Venmo, Cash App and other non-bank payment apps are very popular, but are not protected by federal deposit insurance. To learn more, please read this Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report.
Banking and Checking Issues
- Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act: Frequently Asked Questions, from the Federal Reserve Board
- Don’t Cash that Check! (Check and Lottery Scams) from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office
- What’s Insured and What’s Not, from the FDIC
- Writing a Check – Understanding your Rights, from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Find your bank
Find FDIC insured banks and branches from today and/or in the past as well as information on who regulates your bank: BankFind Suite: Find Institutions by Name & Location (fdic.gov)
Preventing Elder Financial Abuse
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New Hampshire Banking Department brochure on recognizing and preventing elder financial abuse
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The NH Department of Justice Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit has many resources here
Buying New and Used Cars
The Federal Trade Commission has several documents that contain tips on car buying vs. leasing, negotiating the best deal, financing, getting the most out of warranties and service contracts, using gas efficiently, and avoiding repossession. Visit the FTC web site.
New Hampshire Banking Department "Helpful Tips for Buying a Car" brochure
Credit Cards, Repair, Reports and Scores
- You can check your credit report once a week for free: Annual Credit Report.com - Home Page
- General Information from the New Hampshire Attorney General's Consumer Sourcebook
- Consumer Beware: Using Easy "Credit Repair" Companies Could Be Fraud
- Credit Repair – How to help Yourself, from the Federal Trade Commission
- How to fix your credit FAQ from the FTC
Debt Management and Budget Counseling
Eviction Information
- From the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, a video detailing the NH eviction process for both tenants and landlords: Navigating the New Hampshire Eviction Process | New Hampshire Judicial Branch (nh.gov)
Housing and Foreclosure Questions
- New Hampshire consumers facing foreclosure are encouraged to call 211 or visit www.homehelpnh.org to find a HUD Counselor or legal assistance, or information about upcoming foreclosure prevention workshops. There are no fees for these services.
- Call 211 or 1-866-444-4211
- TTY Number: 603-634-3388
New Hampshire Banking Department "Foreclosure Information Guide" brochure
Housing Counselors and Programs
APR, GFE, and LIBOR are just a few of the many mortgage terms to know and understand before you agree to buy a home. Please ask questions and consider getting help from a local housing counselor (See list below). Links to several helpful documents are also provided below.
- New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, 603-472-8623
- New Hampshire Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Manchester, NH 603-666-7510
- Affordable Housing Education and Development Program (AHEAD)
Littleton, NH 603-444-1377 - Southwestern Community Services, Keene, NH 603-352-7512 ext 4294
- Community Home Solutions, Seabrook, NH 603-474-7449
- HOMEteam, Nashua, Concord, Manchester and Laconia 1-866-701-9097
Identity Theft
- Identity theft toolkit from the NH Attorney General's Office
- Identitytheft.gov
- How to spot, avoid and report identity theft in your language
Legal Resources
- New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA) 800-562-3174, TTY 800-735-2964
- Lawyer Referral Service
- Modest Means program, a part of the NHBA Lawyer Referral Program, 603-715-3290
- Disabilities Rights Center, Inc. 800-834-1721
- Mortgages – Know before you owe, from the CFPB
- Shopping for a mortgage? What to expect under federal rules, from the CFPB
- Mortgages: Different products for different needs, from the FDIC
- Escrow accounts: What mortgage borrowers need to know, from the FDIC
- Title Insurance: Protecting your home investment against title defects, from the NAIC
Payday and Title Loans
- Payday loans FAQ
- General information form the New Hampshire Attorney General's Consumer Sourcebook
- Department of Defense publishes final rules, August of 2007
Reverse Mortgages
New Hampshire Banking Department "Informative Guide to Reverse Mortgages" brochure