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Consumer Action creates award-winning free multilingual educational guides on a wide range of personal finance topics and other subjects of interest to consumers. Many publications are available in Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese, as well as English. Each year, we distribute more than a million of our publications through a national network of 7,500 community organizations. Nonprofit and community-based agencies may order these free publications in bulk by clicking here for downloadable order forms or online ordering instructions.
Freeze Your Credit File (Spanish) Leave ID thieves out in the cold.
El “congelamiento de seguridad” es una herramienta para ayudarle a prevenir el robo de identidad y evitar que impostores utilicen su información personal para establecer crédito. Esta publicación explica cómo “congelar” su crédito, lo cual previene que se establezca crédito nuevo a nombre suyo hasta que usted suspenda provisionalmente el congelamiento o le retire de forma permanente.
Tax basics for earners in the ‘sharing economy’ (Korean).
공유 경제는 여가 시간을 이용해 부수입을 올리는 것을 가능하게 할 수도 있고 주 수입원이 될 수도 있습니다. 어떤 쪽이든 돈을 버는 것은 세무 상황에 영향을 줄 것입니다. 이 안내서는 세무 조언을 위한 것은 아니지만 수입과 비용을 정확하게 보고하는 방법, 자격이 있는 모든 공제를 활용하는 것이 좋은 이유, 예상치 못한 문제를 피하는 방법, 그리고 추가 정보와 도움을 얻을 수 있는 곳 등에 대해 설명하고 있습니다.
The sharing economy might enable you to put a little extra cash in your pockets in your spare time, or it could be your primary source of income. Either way, earning money will have an impact on your tax situation. This publication, while not tax advice, will help you understand how to report your income and expenses accurately, why you should take advantage of all the deductions you’re entitled to, how to avoid an unpleasant surprise when you file your tax return, and where to get more information and assistance.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low-income working taxpayers and families get more money back when they file their federal income tax return. This publication contains EITC guidelines for the 2018 tax year.
Freeze Your Credit File Leave ID thieves out in the cold.
A credit file “security freeze” is a preventive tool to help you avoid identity theft and to block impostors from using your personal information to establish credit. This publication explains how to “freeze” your credit file, which prevents new credit from being established in your name until you temporarily or permanently lift the freeze.
This publication answers common questions about how a credit report security freeze can protect you from ID theft, the pros and cons of a security freeze, and how to place, lift and remove a freeze. (It has been updated to reflect changes implemented on Sept. 21, 2018, under new federal law.)
The flyers in this package describe programs that offer low-income households more affordable access to the internet. A companion brochure, Getting up to speed: Broadband internet for low-income households, explains the benefits of internet access.
Improving your financial health with FinTech A beginner’s guide to personal finance apps.
Financial technology (FinTech) is the use of modern technology, such as the internet and apps (downloadable mobile software), to develop powerful financial services tools for consumers and businesses. For those who are motivated to improve their finances and dedicated to working toward their goals, FinTech can make the process more convenient, efficient and even rewarding. This guide will introduce you to the types of FinTech tools available and how they can help you. It will also tell you what to consider when choosing an app and how to stay safe when using FinTech.
Micro Business: Preparing for success (Chinese).
開創一個很小──或是微型──企業，可能會成為日後長期專業化以及財務成功的關鍵。但是由於很多企業無法在開始幾年後繼續維持下去，所以個人想成為一位企業家的決定絕非易事。這本指南對於計劃創業之過程，以及如何達到微型企業成功目標均有詳盡解說，內容包括：成本／盈利估算、資金籌備、確認法律及專業運作所需項目（如保險、簿記、業務建議等等），以及在互聯網營業之相關事宜。
Starting a very small—or micro—business can be the key to long-term professional and financial success. But since many businesses do not make it past the first few years, becoming an entrepreneur is not a decision to make lightly. This guide explains the process of planning and launching a micro business, from estimating costs/earnings and finding funding to identifying legal and professional needs (insurance, bookkeeping, business advice, etc.) and doing business on the internet.
Just Say No to Scams A guide to protecting yourself from liars, cheats and crooks.
Scammers cheat unsuspecting consumers out of millions of dollars each year, but there are ways to avoid becoming a scammer’s next victim. This guide will help consumers understand how crooks reel in their prey, recognize and evade scam attempts, and learn about scam prevention and reporting resources.
Just Say No to Scams (Quick Tips) Quick tips for protecting yourself from fraud.
The Just Say No to Scams “quick tips” sheet provides consumers with the basics of recognizing the signs of a scam, understanding how to protect themselves and knowing where they can learn more. Formatted as a two-sided black-and-white publication, the tip sheet is easy and economical for community educators to print and distribute.
