Consumer Credit Guides
Free educational guides on credit reports, disputes, and interest rates.
Download the state complaint statistics (CSV) , open extract wired into this page's Dataset JSON-LD.
Top CFPB product categories by complaint volume
Understanding Credit Reports
Learn what credit reports contain, how they affect your finances, and how to check yours for free.
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Step-by-step guide to disputing inaccurate information on your credit report with bureaus and the CFPB.
Credit Card Interest Rates Explained
How credit card APRs work, why rates have risen, and strategies to reduce interest charges.
How to File a CFPB Complaint
Step-by-step guide to filing an effective consumer complaint that gets results.
Your Rights With Debt Collectors
FDCPA protections, debt validation, and what collectors legally cannot do.
How to Read CFPB Complaint Data
What complaint counts, response rates, and dispute patterns actually reveal about companies.
How to Choose a Credit Card Using Data
Use CFPB complaints and Fed rate trends to evaluate credit card issuers beyond rewards programs.
Methodology
Our guides are based on publicly available data from authoritative government sources. All statistics, ratings, and figures cited in these guides are drawn directly from official datasets and publications, with sources clearly referenced throughout.
We aim to present complex government data in plain language that is accessible to general audiences. When methodologies differ between data sources or change over time, we note these variations inline. Our editorial process includes regular reviews to ensure accuracy and timeliness of the information presented.