Consumer
Consumer Assistance
Consumer Alerts
One of the most important functions of the Vermont Banking Division is to alert consumers to events that may affect them or when new financial frauds and scams arise. The latest consumer alerts issued are listed below.
- Fraudulent Work-at-Home Transfer Agent Schemes (10/29/2009)
- Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure Rescue Scams (4/22/2009)
- Household and Beneficial Finance branches to close (3/31/2009)
- Beware of Scammers Posing as Local Vermont Credit Unions(3/18/2009)
- Avoid Exploitive Loan Modification ("Rescue") Services (12/29/2008)
Consumer Publications
www.mymoney.gov the Federal Government's website dedicated to helping Americans understand more about their money - how to save it, invest it, and manage it to meet their personal goals.
- Reverse Mortgage Information (online only) A brief description of reverse mortgages and an outline of Vermont's legal protections for reverse mortgage borrowers
- Taking Charge: Plan Now for Future Financial Control - A Guide for Vermonters Information about Joint Fiduciary Accounts (an account owned by one person with instructions for how a second person on the account is to use the money); Powers of Attorney; Guardianship; Wills and Trusts
- What You Should Know About Credit Cards - A consumer's guide to choosing a card and understanding the costs and conditions of credit.
- Basic Checking Account Survey - A quarterly survey that compares checking account services, fees and costs at Vermont banks.
- Basic Saving Account Survey - A quarterly survey of savings account services, fees and costs at Vermont banks.
- Information for Civil Union Partners - A guide to insurance, banking and tax issues.
Other Useful Links
The FDIC's website is designed to help consumers learn about the benefits and limitations of deposit insurance and features a link to EDIE the Estimator.
The Ameriquest Multi-state Settlement
The Ameriquest Multi-state Settlement resolves an investigation by the Attorneys General and/or banking and finance regulators of every state (except Virginia) and the District of Columbia into claims that Ameriquest and other affiliated companies had engaged in various unlawful mortgage lending practices from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2005. It includes Ameriquest, ACC Capital Holdings Corp., Town and Country Credit Corp., and AMC Mortgage Services, Inc. (formerly under the name Bedford Home Loans). Together, all of these companies are referred to in this Web site as “Ameriquest.” The Settlement requires that a $295 million Settlement Fund be established to provide restitution payments to certain Ameriquest borrowers identified by the States.
