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Personal Finance
 
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​Contact

Financial Empowerment Services
651-554-5763
financialempowerment@co.dakota.mn.us

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Everyday Personal Finance

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Self-Help for Financial Well-Being

Good credit and financial health creates opportunities to access credit quickly and with better terms, obtain employment, and get better rates on car insurance. There are steps you can take to understand, improve and protect your personal finances. Check out these resources. 
 
  • AnnualCreditReport.com: Know what’s on your credit report by obtaining a free copy every 12 months from each reporting company. Visit the website or call 1-877-322-8228. 
    • Lots of websites promise credit reports for free. AnnualCreditReport.com is the only official site explicitly directed by Federal law to provide them.
  • Office of Minnesota Attorney General: Reliable, user friendly, information on a variety of personal finance issues from dealing with debt to help with financial scams.
  • Federal Trade Commission - Compl​aint Assistant (FTC): This federal agency has the authority to take action against deceptive, fraudulent and unfair business practices. Find more information or file a complaint.
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): This federal agency has authority to enforce various federal regulations and laws and to advocate on behalf of consumers as it relates to problems with banks, mortgages, credit cards and financial institutions. Find more information or file a complaint.
  • Bankrate.com: This website provides financial calculators which will help you work on your monthly budget, compare borrowing costs and plan for your future.​

Buying a Car

Purchasing a vehicle doesn’t have to be a hassle. Try these resources to make the process a little easier:
 
  • AWARE: A step-by-step approach to buying a car.
  • MN Car Laws: A guide through Minnesota’s lemon law, used car warranty law, and Truth in Repairs Act.​
  • Paying Your Car Loan in Tough Times (video)

Fraud, Scams & Identity Theft

It is estimated that about 9 million Americans have their identity stolen every year. Learn how to avoid identity theft and what you can do if it happens.
 
  • Federal Trade Commission: If your identity has been stolen, this site outlines what you can do about it. You can also call them by phone at 1-800-ID-THEFT (1-800-438-4338) or TTY: 1-866-653-4261.
  • Federal Trade Commission Computer Security video: There's a lot you can do to protect yourself and your computer from scammers, hackers and identity thieves.
  • Minnesota Department of ​Commerce: Report a criminal complaint with the Fraud Bureau.
Removing your name from mailing and telemarketing lists reduces your risk for identity theft. Try these sites:
 
  • OptOutPrescreen.com: Opt out of credit card offers. You can also call them at 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688)
  • National Do Not Call Registry: Stop telemarketers in their tracks. You can also call them at 1-888-382-1222

Credit Counseling & Education

  • ​Family Means Consumer Credit Counseling Services: Offers tools and education so people can regain financial stability and reduce unmanageable debt for residents of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
  • CLUES Economic Empowe​rment: Programs which promote self-sufficiency for Latino families through employment services, workforce development programming, financial coaching, resource navigation and asset-building initiatives. 
  • LSS Financial Counseling Service: Provides assistance state-wide for customers seeking help with credit and debt issues, homebuyer education and reverse mortgage counseling.
  • Take Control of Your C​redit: Virtual course from Dakota County Financial Empowerment.
 

Last updated: 2/23/2023 9:25 AM

Administration Center
  • 1590 Highway 55
  • Hastings, MN 55033
  • Ph: 651-437-3191
  • Toll free: 800-247-1056
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