Welcome to RealityCheck, an Elevations Credit Union sponsored consumer information resource! Please check back often, we will continue to add new information.
Looking for Remar's Privacy seminar handout or how to opt out of marketing databases? You'll find it in the Privacy Rights section. Then check out the many other Privacy Rights resources.
July 2009
Using Credit Cards Wisely During Today’s Tough Economy
Used wisely, credit cards enable consumers to manage cash flow and leverage their overall buying power. Today’s tough economic times, however, have put pressures on financial institutions, businesses, and individual consumers. These pressures have given rise to ongoing changes in credit card account terms and rates being made by a number of card issuers. Such changes may in turn increase financial pressures on many card holders. Cash-strapped consumers squeezed by higher costs or employment woes may be tempted to bridge cash shortfalls by charging expenditures, even for necessities such as food and gasoline. The resulting cycle of increased debt can be down right dangerous to personal financial stability. This report provides some strategies for using credit cards wisely in today’s tough economic circumstances.
Watch this:
BBB, Schumer Warn Consumers of Robocalls Promising to Lower Their Credit Card Interest Rate
This news item from the Better Business Bureau describes automated telemarketing calls that promise to help consumers lower their credit card interest rates.
You Make the Call: The FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule
This fact sheet from the FTC provides tips to help consumers reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive.
The MPG Illusion
Take this quiz, from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, to see if you can choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle combination.
Beware of Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Modification Scams
This brochure from the FDIC reminds you that if it's too good to be true, it probably is.
Breaking News
"Cash for Clunkers" legislation takes effect on August 1. Read Consumer Reports summary of the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), then check out the CARS site.
New Credit Card Law: What does it mean for you?
Automated response system makes fixing errors in your credit report difficult, according to new NCLC study and report.
Reach Elevations CU directly at our Web address: RealityCheck.coop
You've been waiting for RealityCheck!
RealityCheck is an interactive website that gives you real-time, hard-hitting consumer information on topics, products and services that affect your life and financial well-being.
RealityCheck, designed just for Elevations Credit Union, has one agenda—helping you make wise decisions by giving you sound, unbiased, balanced information rather than hype or infomercial. RealityCheck covers lots more than the credit union sells, too.
The menu buttons at the left list the major categories RealityCheck covers. As time goes on, we'll continue to expand and update RealityCheck to cover an ever-growing range of consumer and financial issues. If you have ideas for topics you'd like covered, let us know by e-mail.
Why are we doing this? Elevations Credit Union is a member cooperative. Our members' best interest always comes first. Remar Sutton is our spokesman and partner in creating RealityCheck. If you've heard Remar talk about the auto industry or privacy issues, you know he's not shy on the subject of consumer rights. In monthly RealityCheck Reports and other information, Remar's job is to be your advocate and not the advocate of any product or service.
From now on, you can count on this website for a fact-based reality check on consumer issues important to your and your family's well-being.