Defend Your Dollars is the website of the Consumers Union Financial Services Campaign, where we support reforms to the financial marketplace to curb bad practices by banks and lenders.
Tell Us Your Story!
We want to hear from you. Your willingness to share your stories helps us pass laws to protect you and your family.
Consumer Story: Langdon McAlpin
This disabled police officer in Loganville, Georgia says he was sold a mortgage he couldn’t afford. He’s lived in his home for 19 years.
Read more Bailout stories »
The economic downturn has everyone looking at their budgets and spending, trying to find places to cut. Are you wondering if you can afford to retire or how you're going to pay your credit card bills? We would like to know about your experience, so we can better work toward reforms that will help you.
Consumer Story: Mary of Goldendale, WA
This small-business owner planned to put gas in her car, then buy groceries. What she didn’t plan on was the $10 gas purchase freezing $50 of her bank account, forcing her to put items from her cart back on the shelf.
Read more Bank Accounts stories »
What banks call "overdraft protection" is really just a high cost, short term loan that amounts to more than the overdraft itself. We want to hear your experience with overdraft fees so we can fight for better protections for you. Your account of what has happened to you will help us push for real reform.
Consumer Story: Brian of Gardnerville, NV
Over the past seven years, by paying his creditors on time all of the time and monitoring his spending, Brian had successfully increased his credit score from the low 600’s to a recent 705.
Read more Credit Cards stories »
Credit card companies are raising interest rates and lowering credit limits while happily getting bailed out with our tax dollars. Have you seen recent changes to the terms and conditions on your credit card? Tell us your story and help us stop these card companies from unfairly picking your pocket!
Consumer Story: Alex of San Francisco, CA
I'm falling further and further behind on the debts. I'm 77 years old, living in a studio apartment in downtown San Francisco. I survive most of the time on beans.
Read more Loans stories »
Are you in debt because of short-term loans? Whether backed up by your paycheck, your car title or expected tax return, the results are the same: You end up paying too much to borrow a small amount of money, and usually at a time when your financial situation is the most desperate. Tell us your experience.
Consumer Story: Joe and Josephine of Sacramento, CA
Faced with the difficult decision of continuing to pay for an “underwater” mortgage or to sell his home at a loss, Joe B. a 90-year-old retired British army veteran from Sacramento, California, is now facing foreclosure.
Read more Mortgages stories »
Foreclosures are hitting far and wide. If you are afraid of losing your home or you already have, we want to hear from you. Your willingness to share these painful stories helps us pass laws to protect you and your family.
We've collected many stories from individuals in the United States experiencing a crisis as a result of the mortgage meltdown. Here are their video stories to watch online.
Consumer Story: Judith of Worcester, MA
Three malls in Central Massachusetts are selling their own prepaid cards at holiday time. If not used right away at any of the stores in the mall it automatically reduces in value!
Read more Payments stories »
Do you have gift cards that you can't use, because the store has gone out of business? Consumer Union would like to hear if you have any gift cards that have stopped giving. Your account of what has happened to you will help us push for gift card protections.
For years, government regulators have turned a blind eye to abusive financial practices and we’ve all paid a price. We're working to put an end to tricky financial products and we’re on the look-out for new rip-offs as they emerge. Help us keep an eye on what’s happening in the financial marketplace so we know where to push for reform.
Consumer Story: Ed of Lawrenceville, NJ
Prepaid cards are a rip-off! The balances start to decline after receiving the cards. You can't cash them in.
Read more Prepaid Cards stories »
Prepaid “debit” cards are marketed as safe and convenient ways for consumers to manage their money. These cards can be used at ATMs, to make purchases at stores and online, and can be reloaded with more money—much like debit cards linked to bank accounts. Yet, they may leave you empty-handed due to fees and the lack of guaranteed consumer protections.
Consumer Story: Martha, San Martin, CA
For Martha, a letter regarding her new credit card marked the beginning of three troublesome years dealing with the damage caused by identity theft. The letter surprised Martha – she had never applied for one.
Read more Privacy stories »
If you have been a victim of identity theft, your story can help us as we work to enact stronger safeguards to protect consumers. Please share your story.