Rt april2018

CAN A DEBT COLLECTOR TAKE MY SOCIAL SECURITY OR VA BENEFITS? PAGE 12

KNOW YOUR DATA: OUR LATEST LIST OF CONSUMER REPORTING COMPANIES PAGE 16

RESOURCES FOR THE MILITARY CONSUMER PAGE 19

SAVE THE DATES

JUNE 3 - 5, 2018 | WASHINGTON D.C.

OCTOBER 14 - 16, 2018 | PHOENIX, AZ

1

VAREP NATIONAL NEWS

A Letter From Our President

ROGER THAT APRIL 2018

Dear VAREP Members, I present you “RT – ROGER THAT – April 2018”

EDI TOR I AL

E-Zine Newsletter. This is the best way for

PUBLISHER USA Homeownership, Inc. DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals

VAREP National to communicate happenings within our organization to our membership.

VAREP experienced tremendous growth and

EDITOR Denise DiSalvo

recognition in 2017 for the important work

CR EATI VE

that we do. Each of you should be proud

SENIOR DESIGNER Jesus Lopez

and stand tall knowing that your passion to empower veterans to realize the American Dream of homeownership has enabled VAREP to be recognized by key leaders in the real estate, financial, and government sectors as the authority on, and voice of, military and veteran financial-literacy and homeownership.

VAREP ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM 2014 - 2017 •

24 homes donated mortgage-free to deserving heroes across America.

•

750 military and veteran families realized the American Dream of homeownership through our

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Danielle Macedo WEB DEVELOPER Francisco Labias CON TACT VAR EP HEADQUARTERS 951 · 444 · 7363 info @VAREP. net 462 Corona Mall Suite 102 Corona, CA 92879 w w w . V A R E P. n e t

programs and services.

•

6,000 real estate and lending professional were trained as a result of the 80 live events and online membership training.

•

•

• •

2,600 military and veteran families educated about homeownership, financial literacy, and the

ABOUT SON

VA loan program through the live Veteran Housing Summits events hosted by VAREP local

Son Nguyen is the founder and president of the

chapters across the country.

Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals

361 military and veteran families were provided food, utilities payment, rent back payment,

(VAREP). Mr. Nguyen creates, implements, and

basic supplies, clothing, and blankets during the 2017 holiday season. This was made possible

overseas the programs within VAREP including

through our VAREP Cares program implemented by the VAREP local chapters.

working with government agencies and policy makers

$60,000 in the form housing assistance grants for down-payment, closing costs, and adaptive

to create and reform veteran housing policy to

needs. This was in partnership with the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA).

remove barriers to homeownership.

$5 million spent on home rehabilitation for mortgage-free donations and veteran first resale program.

He is frequently called upon as a subject-matter expert by government agencies, the real estate

HOW TO EXPLAIN WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO I frequently receive phone calls from our membership on how to explain VAREP as an organization.

Depending on your audience, you may want to adapt the points listed below to introduce VAREP.

industry, the lending industry, and real estate trade organizations to consult on a variety of veteran housing issues.

Mr. Nguyen has more than 19 years’ experience

•

•

VAREP is a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization that was founded to directly educate the 1.4-plus

in real estate, public speaking, supplier diversity,

million active military and 22-plus million veterans on sustainable homeownership, financial-

curriculum development, and non-profit management.

literacy education, VA loan awareness, and economic opportunity.

His record demonstrates innovation and leadership at

VAREP is the only organization that educates military and veteran families on the importance

the highest level.

of financial health on the road to homeownership.

•

VAREP is the only organization that educates the real estate practitioner on the important housing-policy and lending initiatives that affect the military and veteran communities.

Mr. Nguyen established VAREP as a housing non-profit for vets, by vets. He believes VAREP’s proactive stance of providing financial-literacy education and advocating homeownership can greatly

VAREP Comparison to Other Veteran Nonprofits

impact homelessness among the veteran community,

The comparison chart to the right shows that we fill a much needed gap in financial-literacy and

by both reducing the current epidemic and preventing

housing components that the other veteran service organizations simply do not offer…In other words: We complement them and do not compete with them.

Our organization has only scratched the surface of creating awareness and having people rethink how to better serve underserved military and veteran housing needs. To a great 2018...Cheers!

future occurrences, one veteran at a time.

Mr. Nguyen entered the Navy in 1996 and served as a Radioman on the USS Vincennes (GC-49) and USS Constellation (CV-64). A proud serviceconnected disabled veteran, Mr. Nguyen holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from of the

Son Nguyen

University of Florida and a Master’s in Organizational

VAREP Founder and President

Management. He currently resides in Corona, CA, with his wife, son, and Labrador.

2

VETERAN NON-PROFIT COMPARISON CHART Target Audience

VAREP Veterans = 22+ Million Active Duty = 1.4+ Million

MILITARY WARRIORS FOUNDATION Wounded Warriors OEF, OIF, ND = 51,849

OPERATION HOMEFRONT Active Duty Family of E1 - E6 = 1.1 Million

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT Wounded Warriors OEF, OIF, ND = 51,849

USA CARES Post 9/11 Servicemembers & Family

Financial Assistance

X

X

Emergency Food

X

X

Emergency Home Repair

X

X

Critical Baby Items

X

X

Home and Appliance Repair

X

Furniture and Household Items

X

Local Moving Assistance

X

Apartment Transitional Housing

X

X

Permanent Housing Placement

X

X

Employment Job Board

X

Rehabilitation with Recreational Therapy

X

X

X

X

Peer-to-Peer Counseling

X

Family Support Retreats

X

Peer Mentoring

X

Information Technology Training Academy

X

Financial Literacy Education

X

X

X

VA Home Loan Program Education

X

Housing Education

X

Housing Counseling

X

Credit and Debt Management Education

X

Credit and Debt Management Counseling

X

Military and Veteran First Look Affordable Housing Purchase Program

X

Mortgage Free Donated Homes for Wounded Warrior and Spouses of Deceased Warriors

X

X

X

Community Outreach

X

X

X

Live Community Housing, Financial Literacy, and Employment Fair Outreach Events

X

REALTOR, Housing Professional, and Lender Military and Veteran Certification Course

X

Military and Veteran Friendly Database

X

Advocay with a Written Policy Plan

X Military and Veteran Housing Lending Policy

Housing and Lending Policy Conference

X

Military and Veteran Financial Literacy, Housing, and Employment Resource Center

X

X

X

X Wounded Warriors

NOTE: The non-profit comparison chart does not list the national minority real estate trade organizations including AREAA, NAHREP, and NAREB because we are not structurally set up as a trade organization. We have our membership whom we educate to better serve the military housing needs, but ultimately we are all here to serve the military and veteran communities.

3

APRIL 2018 TABLE OF C O NTE NTS

About VAREP University.................................4 VAREP Chapter Map.....................................6 National Policy Conference 2018...................8 HUD Counseling Division 2017 Review........10 Debt Collectors, VA Benefits and Social Security......................................................12 2017 Real Estate Division in Review...........14

For REALTORS®, Lenders, and Housing Professionals

CFPB Releases list of Consumer Reporting Companies.................................16

Members and Non-members are Welcome.

Resources for the Military Consumer...........................19 What is VAREP University?

As the voice for veteran real estate, our goal is to arm practitioners with the right tools so they can better serve the active-duty and veteran communities’ housing needs. VAREP University is the centralized learning platform for the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals.

Members and non-members can earn designations by creating a VAREP University user account, select from the course library, pay and complete the course with a minimum 70 percent score on the final exam.

FEATURED COURSES

2018 NATIONAL EVENTS

The MVHC is designed for a comprehensive understanding of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Home Loan Guarantee Program. We want our members to have an industry recognized course needed to effectively serve the housing needs of our military and veteran communities. Our goal is to educate and empower attendees to embrace the VA loan program instead of shying away from it. Can be taken live or Online.

UPCOMING EVENT

Policy Conference JUNE 3- 5, 2018 · WASHINGTON D.C.

The SCRA is designed for a comprehensive understanding of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). We want our members to have an industry recognized course needed to effectively serve the housing needs of our military and veteran communities. Our goal is to educate and empower attendees to understand the protections provided by the SCRA for servicemembers. The knowledge from this course can prevent violations like the mortgage violations during the housing crisis 2008. Online Only.

The Fair Housing course is designed for a comprehensive understanding of the Fair Housing Act. We want our members to have an industry recognized course needed to effectively serve the housing needs of all persons interested without Housing

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OCTOBER 14- 16, 2018 · PHOENIX, AZ 4

discrimination in which an individual or family is treated unequally when trying to buy, rent, lease, sell or finance a home based on certain characteristics, such as race, class, sex, religion, national origin, and familial status. Online Only.

register today! www.VAREP.net/university

TESTIMONIALS FROM VAREP MEMBERS

The Military and Veteran Housing Certification (MVHC) is an

This detailed and comprehensive Military and Veteran Housing

essential component to add to every Realtor’s arsenal of experience.

Certification (MVHC) course for REALTORS®, Lenders and Housing

The course provides a wealth of information to professionally assist

Professionals was very empowering and enlightening. The MVHC

over 23 million veterans and active duty personnel, and we must

Resource Manual downloaded from the course is a great and useful

properly serve this important sector of our population. Utilizing the

reference tool. This course helped me develop more confidence

MVHC resources is a great way to say “Thank you.”

in my ability to professionally service my Military and Veteran Chris Prendergast

Families in all aspects of the VA loan process. It required a detailed

VAREP Honolulu Chapter Community Outreach, REALTOR®

review of the entire process and reinforced my ability to become a knowledgeable VA Real Estate Professional.

After taking the MVHC course I realized that though I was pretty

General Bob Hipwell

educated and experienced on VA loans, but there were still certain

VAREP Sacramento Chapter President, Associate Broker

aspects about the program that I was not aware of or perhaps just needed some extra polishing up on. It is about time an independent

This course was very informative and helped build my confidence in

3rd party took the time to both educate and monitor those of us

all aspects of the VA loan. It required a detail review and reinforced

in the real estate and finance world that see Veterans as our niche

the need to be or become an expert VA loan expert. I was able to

clients. I am very happy to be associated with VAREP and to serve

share my experience with other veterans and colleagues.

the honorable men and women of the US Armed Forces.

Ricardo Pacheco Eric Kandell

Marine, VAREP Sacramento Chapter Treasurer, Lender

VAREP Member, Lender

Enjoy the Education, Enjoy the Experience, and Enjoy Serving Those Who Have Served Us! 5

VAREP CURRENTLY HAS

34 CHAPTERS LOCATED IN 14 STATES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

ACTIVE CHAPTERS Arizona

VAREP Phoenix Chapter - Founded on September 3, 2013 VAREP Tucson Chapter - Founded on January 28, 2015

California

VAREP Coachella Valley Chapter - Founded on August 4, 2016 VAREP East Bay Area Chapter - Founded on August 24, 2017 VAREP Los Angeles Chapter - Founded on April 23, 2014 VAREP Orange County Chapter - Founded on March 11, 2013 VAREP Riverside Chapter - Founded on June 17, 2013 VAREP Sacramento Chapter - Founded on June 4, 2013 VAREP San Bernardino Chapter- Founded on August 14, 2014 VAREP San Diego Chapter - Founded on July 29, 2013 VAREP Yuba-Sutter Chapter - Founded on January 11, 2018

Colorado

VAREP Denver Chapter - Founded on August 14, 2014

Florida

VAREP Miami Chapter - Founded on July 13th, 2015 VAREP Central Florida Chapter - Founded on April 14th, 2015 VAREP Pinellas County Chapter - Founded on December 3rd, 2015 VAREP Broward Chapter - Founded on July 15th, 2015 VAREP Treasure Coast Chapter - Founded on June 30th, 2017

Hawaii

VAREP Honolulu Chapter - Founded on April 04, 2014

VAREP Mid-Michigan City Chapter - Founded on November 14, 2017

Minnesota

VAREP Twin Cities Chapter - Founded on March 11, 2018

Missouri

VAREP St Louis Chapter - Founded on March 10, 2017

Nevada

VAREP Las Vegas Chapter - Founded on August 30, 2013 VAREP Northern Nevada Chapter - Founded on March 4, 2015

Texas

VAREP Austin Chapter - Founded on July 2017 VAREP DFW Chapter - Founded on December, 2015 VAREP El Paso Chapter - Founded on April 6, 2017 VAREP Houston Chapter - Founded on March 30, 2015 VAREP San Antonio Chapter - Founded on December 10, 2013

Washington

Illinois

VAREP Chicago Chapter - Founded on June 21, 2016

VAREP Seattle Chapter - Founded on September 30, 2013 VAREP Tacoma Chapter - Founded on December 15, 2014 VAREP Snohomish County Chapter - Founded on April 18, 2018

Iowa

Washington D.C.

VAREP Des Moines Chapter - Founded on October 3, 2017

6

Michigan

VAREP D.C. Metropolitan Area Chapter - Founded on June 11, 2014

18 CHAPTERS IN FORMATION Arizona VAREP Chandler Chapter - Coming 2018

California VAREP Fresno Chapter - Coming 2018

Colorado VAREP Colorado Springs Chapter - Coming 2019

Florida VAREP Jacksonville Chapter - Coming 2018 VAREP Pensacola Chapter - Coming 2019 VAREP Brandon Chapter - Coming 2018

Georgia

VAREP Atlanta Chapter - Coming 2019

Hawaii VAREP Big Island Chapter - Coming 2019 VAREP Maui Chapter - Coming 2019

Idaho VAREP Boise Chapter - Coming 2019

Massachusetts

New Jersey VAREP New Jersey Chapter - Coming 2018

Pennsylvania VAREP Philadelphia Chapter - Coming 2018 VAREP Pittsburgh Chapter - Coming 2019

South Carolina VAREP Florence Chapter - Coming 2018

Tennessee

VAREP Boston Chapter - Coming 2019

VAREP Nashville Chapter - Coming 2018

Michigan

Virginia

VAREP Detroit Chapter - Coming 2019

VAREP Hampton Roads Chapter - Coming 2018 7

JUNE 3 - 5, 2018 | GRAND HYATT WASHINGTON | D.C.

The Policy Conference gives our members the opportunity to literally be the voice for veteran homeownership during pre-set Capitol Hill Visit appointments. Hill visits give members the opportunity to meet with members of Congress and the senate to advocate VAREP’s 2018 Policy Positions that affect military and veteran homeownership.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER www.varep.net/policyconference

8

Don’t miss...

Military & Veterans Housing Certification Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan Guarantee Program through this live MVHC program. DC residents can earn CE Credits.

register

50 Years of the Fair Housing Act The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for any housing. VAREP celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Equal housing opportunity for all is the mission of the FHA.

Sammy L. Davis Better known as the REAL “Forrest Gump”, his story won him the medal of honor for his valiant efforts in the Vietnam War. He’ll be speaking at the Policy Conference.

Sgt. Cedric King Injured but able, this Sergeant Veteran is the epitome of endurance and perserverence. His unfortunate injury doesn’t stop him from realizing his full potential, or from inspiring others to do the same. He’ll be sharing his story at the conference.

Register and Learn More Today! w w w . v a r e p . n e t / p o l i c y c o n fe r e n c e 9

THE PATH TO SUSTAINABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP VAREP’s Housing Counseling Department is a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency providing homebuying, credit, budget, post purchase and foreclosure prevention counseling services to Veterans, Active Military and the community nationwide. Over the past year, from January to December 2017, we provided the following housing counseling services:

2017 COUNSELING & OUTREACH STATISTICS

416

306 84 222

GROUP WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS FROM VHS CHAPTER EVENTS

INQUIRIES FOR SERVICES

CLIENTS COUNSELED

1 ON 1 HOUSING COUNSELING CLIENTS

TYPES OF COUNSELING PROVIDED

124 27 PRE-PURCHASE HOMEOWNERSHIP

10

POST PURCHASE

29

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION

16

FINANCIAL HOMEOWNERSHIP SUSTAINABILITY COUNSELING

26

CREDIT COUNSELING

VISIT WWW.VETHOMEOWNERSHIP.COM OR CALL: 888.273.7267

3,300 LMI HOUSING INQUIRIES INTERNET, TELEPHONE & COMMUNITY EVENTS

975 LMI FAMILIES RECEIVED PRE-PURCHASE, CREDIT & HOUSING COUNSELING

750 VETERAN FAMILIES SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN HOMES THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS

200 VETERANS WERE REFERRED TO HUD VASH PROGRAM

250 VETERANS ENGAGED IN CREDIT COUNSELING TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL READINESS

1,000 VETERANS & SERVICEMEMBERS EDUCATED ON VA HOME LOAN BENEFIT, IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CREDIT & HOME BUYING PROCESS THROUGH COUNSELING & OUTREACH EVENTS VISIT WWW.VETHOMEOWNERSHIP.COM OR CALL: 888.273.7267

11

Q:

CAN A DEBT COLLECTOR TAKE MY SOCIAL SECURITY OR VA BENEFITS?

A:

Generally no, debt collectors can’t take your Social Security or VA benefits directly out of your bank account or prepaid card.

After a debt collector sues you for the debt and wins a judgment, it can get a court order for your bank or credit union to turn over money from your account or prepaid card. This is called a “garnishment.” A U.S. Department of Treasury rule requires banks to automatically protect certain federal benefits from being frozen or garnished if they are direct deposited into your account. There are some exceptions to this rule, which are explained below.

Read about how the automatic protection works.

Benefits covered by this rule:

• • • • • • 12

Social Security Supplemental Security Income Veterans Federal Railroad retirement, unemployment and sickness Civil Service Retirement System Federal Employee Retirement System.

Your bank or credit union must automatically protects 2 months’ worth of benefits If a collector tries to garnish money in your account, your bank must look at your account history to see if you received any of the above benefits by direct deposit in the last 2 months. The bank must protect 2 months’ worth of benefits from garnishment and let you use that money. If your account has more than 2 months’ worth of benefits, your bank can garnish or freeze the extra money.

However, if that extra money that is garnished is exempt from garnishment under federal or state law, you may be able to go to court to have your money released.

Benefits on a prepaid card Many people receive federal benefits such as Social Security or VA on a prepaid card. If your benefits are

It is very important for the judge to know that your money comes from Social Security, SSI, VA, or other federal or state benefits before the judge decides whether your money should be turned over to the debt collector. You should notify the court, the bank, and the person/business that is garnishing your account immediately in writing, and seek help from a lawyer.

loaded onto a Direct Express card or to another prepaid account, they are still automatically protected from garnishment just like money in a bank account.

To take advantage of the automatic protections for direct deposited Social Security and VA benefits, you can sign up to have these benefits direct deposited to your bank account or loaded onto a prepaid card.

•

Examples of how the automatic protection works

If your account is garnished or you have questions, consider finding legal help in your state:

•

•

If you receive $1,000 in Social Security each month, your bank will see that $2,000 in Social Security was direct deposited in the last 2 months. The bank must allow you to use up to $2,000 in the account.

If you receive $1,000 in Social Security benefits by direct deposit each month, and you have $3,000 in your account, the bank can freeze $1,000 of the $3,000. The bank must give you access to the remaining $2,000 so you can continue to pay bills and withdraw cash as usual.

You may qualify for free legal help.

•

•

The Center for Elder Rights Advocacy can refer you to a local agency that provides free legal help to seniors who qualify. You can call the Center for Elder Rights Advocacy at: (866) 949-2372 or visit: Legalhotlines.org.

You can also find your local legal services program or attorney referral program.

Exceptions to automatic protection Tips: •

•

Government debts and child/spousal support. Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can sometimes be garnished to pay certain government debts, such as back taxes or federal student loans, and debts for child or spousal support.

Some benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are protected from garnishment – even to pay a government debt or child or spousal support.

Paper checks. If you receive Social Security or VA benefits by check and then deposit the check into your bank account, the bank does not have to protect 2 months’ worth of benefits in the account automatically. This means that your entire account balance could be frozen and you’ll need to go to court to prove that it comes from protected federal benefits and should not be garnished.

If your bank account is garnished or frozen: •

•

If your bank garnishes or freezes any money in your account, you must be sent a notice of garnishment.

This notice may explain the court procedures for claiming any exemptions from garnishment and getting your money released.

A judge decides whether your money should be turned over to the debt collector based on factors such as the source of your income and any federal or state exemptions.

•

•

•

You can use our sample letter to tell a debt collector that your Social Security or VA benefits are protected from garnishment. If you have other funds protected from garnishment under federal or state law, you can modify the sample letter to fit your situation.

Consider talking with a lawyer in your state about other state and federal laws that may help protect your money and other assets from garnishment.

Federal and state laws may protect the money you receive from other sources from garnishment. This may include money you receive from a pension or retirement plan, federal student loans, child support or spousal support payments. Other laws in your state may protect some of your money and assets, too. To learn more about how they may be protected, consider finding legal help.

Know when your bank can and can’t charge you fees for garnishment. Your bank can only charge you a fee for processing the garnishment if you have more than 2 months’ worth of direct deposited Social Security or VA benefits in your account.

13

2017 REAL ESTATE DIVISION IN REVIEW

featuring Freedom Flippers and House of Vet Programs

Our servicemembers, veterans, first-responders, civil servants and teachers protect, serve and care for our country and community on a daily basis. It is now our turn to give them a hand up to realizing homeownership though our Freedom Flippers First-Look Home Buyer Program. We receive donated homes, transform and resale them to qualified families around the country through our partners Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo.

67

HOMES REMODELED & SOLD TO

LMI, VETERANS, MILITARY, 1ST RESPONDERS, TEACHERS & CIVIL SERVANTS

$1,181,000

SPENT REHABING TURNING BLIGHT TO BRIGHT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES

Learn more at www.freedomflippers.org 14

8 Veterans Given a Home in 2017 Mackenzie Beaucejour US Army

Graham Dorsey US Marine Corps

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Phoenix AZ

Darryl Thomas US Marine Corps

Davis Edgar US Marine Corps

Waco, TX

St. Louis MO

Leif Apag USA Army

Nidia Fleming US Army

Reno NV

Sacramento CA

Jamell Holmes US Army

Gena Tilstra US Army

Cleveland OH

Saylorsburg PA

More stories found at houseavet.net

15

KNOW YOUR DATA: OUR LATEST LIST OF CONSUMER REPORTING COMPANIES

By: Jonah Kaplan reporting for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

16

Y

ou may know that your credit record affects your ability to get an affordable loan, a job, an apartment, or many other essentials of daily life.

But, do you know where and how to actually request your credit report and what you can do once you order your consumer reports?

Over the past few years, we have updated and published a list of consumer reporting companies.

Today, we present you with the 2018 edition of our list . This year’s list includes the following features: • Information to request a report. This includes the latest company name and contact information from the three nationwide consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and dozens of specialty reporting companies. We sort the companies by specialty, such as employment, tenant, bank, subprime, insurance, or medical.

• New tips on which specialty reports might be important for you to fact-check depending on your specific situation. With the exception of employment screening reports, you can be rejected without warning based on the information in your consumer report. When you know a consumer report is going to be used in a decision about you, check your consumer reporting information ahead of time.

• Useful identity verification information about how consumer reporting companies try to make sure you are who you say you are—before they give you your reports. It also includes the types of questions they might ask to verify your identity.

• Free reports guide. Most of the companies on this list will provide your information to you for free once every twelve months if you request it. In our list, we tell you ones that do.

• Companies that will provide free scores along with free reports. Not many do, but there are a few.

We tell you which ones.

• New security freeze information about how some of the companies on this list will limit third-party access to your data if you request it through a security freeze.

Did you know?

You should fact-check your credit reports for free from the three nationwide consumer reporting companies every 12 months and before you apply for credit. Requesting your credit reports will not hurt your credit score.

You should fact-check your specialty consumer reports during important life events and situations, such as when applying for a job, rental home, or at other times like when applying for a new bank account or insurance policy.

We offer resources to help you understand your credit reports. You can also learn the difference between credit scores and credit reports and tips for a good credit score.

There are a variety of ways to protect and take control of your consumer reporting data. Data breaches are an unfortunate reality. It’s important to be aware of your options to protect yourself after a data breach.

Your rights with your consumer reports Finally, when it comes to your own consumer reports, you have the legal right to: • Obtain the information in your consumer reports.

All consumer reporting companies are required to provide you a copy of the information in your report if you request it.

• Dispute suspected inaccuracies with the consumer reporting companies and those, such as your lenders, who gave them the information. Your dispute will be investigated at no charge to you. Learn more about how to file a dispute and download sample dispute letters.

This user-friendly list of companies makes it easier for you to make the first move.

17

NEW VAREP TOOLBOX

WE’VE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN THE VAREP TOOLBOX. ORDERING SUPPLIES, REQUESTING FLYERS AND ACCESSING EVENT TEMPLATES IS A LOT EASIER. USE THE VAREP TOOLBOX AS YOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR: Vendor Invoice Request Monthly Treasurer’s Report Submission Event Online Request Chapter Launch Docs Press Release Samples

Veterans Housing Summit Template Chapter Reports VAREP Logos Volunteer T-shirts files and more

If there are any files you can’t find in the VAREP Toolbox, please email Jlopez@VAREP.net.

If you do not have the VAREP Toolbox available or having trouble logging in, please email 18

flabias@VAREP.net.

RESOURCES FOR THE MILITARY CONSUMER As presented by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

BA SE

Financial basics From Recruit Basic Training to the First Permanent Duty Station, servicemembers are expected to keep their finances in order every step of their military career.

Use alerts to protect your finances consumerfinance.gov/fraud-protectionservicemembers.pdf

•

Delegating financial management during deployment consumerfinance.gov/delegating-financialmanagement-during-deployment.pdf

•

Strategies for tackling student loan debt consumerfinance.gov/military-student-loanguide.pdf

PCS’ing with an auto lease consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/889

•

Borrowing money: Your rights under the Military Lending Act (MLA) consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/1783

Handling PCS orders and an underwater home loan consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/308

•

Moving your checking account?

Follow this checklist consumerfinance.gov/moving-your-checkingaccount.pdf

•

Stopping automatic payment from your account?

What you need to know consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/you-haverotections-when-it-comes-to-automatic-debitpayments-from-your-account

Have an issue? Submit a complaint consumerfinance.gov/complaint

•

Dealing with debt collection consumerfinance.gov/military-debt-collection.pdf

•

Buying a car?

Arm yourself with knowledge about car loans consumerfinance.gov/auto-loan

•

Moving and deployments are a military fact of life and often they mean managing financial challenges.

•

•

•

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and deployment

•

Choosing a bank account consumerfinance.gov/military-bank-account.pdf

•

Credit report and scores consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/creditreports-and-scores

•

Determine your financial well-being consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/financialwell-being

•

Set money goals that reflect your life consumerfinance.gov/documents/4794/201705_ cfpb_MAYG_My-New-Money-Goal.pdf 19

Lifecycle of the Military Consumer Delayed entry period

Recruit basic training

Military occupational training _ p^ b

First permanent duty station

life event Promotion

Deployment

Permanent change of station

Post deployment transition

Reenlistment Veteran status 20

Retirement

Transitions and Life Events

Leaving the service and veterans’ issues

Learn more about handling financial events in your personal and military life, from buying a home to choosing to reenlist; it is important to have strong money management skills.

From GI Bill® benefits to Social Security, leaving the service requires navigating a different set of financial challenges.

•

Going to college: Make the most of GI Bill benefits vets.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool

Safely consolidate credit card debt consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-can-i-safelyconsolidate-my-credit-card-debt-en-1861

•

Considering a pension advance?

Avoid these traps consumerfinance.gov/pension-traps.pdf

•

Set money goals that reflect your life consumerfinance.gov/documents/4794/201705_ cfpb_MAYG_My-New-Money-Goal.pdf

•

Can debt collectors take your Social Security or VA benefits? consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/1157

•

Teach your kids money management skills consumerfinance.gov/money-managementmilitary-kids

•

Know your Social Security benefits before deciding to retire consumerfinance.gov/retirement-planning

•

Are unpaid debts a military career killer? consumerfinance.gov/unpaid-debts-military

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VA doesn’t send you mortgage ads consumerfinance.gov/VA-mortgage-ads

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Managing someone else’s money consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/managingsomeone-elses-money

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Financial coaching consumerfinance.gov/financial-coaching

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Paying for college consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college

Owning a home consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home

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Credit report and scores consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/creditreports-and-scores

Planning for retirement consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/retirement

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Determine your financial well-being consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/financialwell-being

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Buying a home: what you need to know consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home

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Determine your financial well-being consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/financialwell-being

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“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.”

- George Washington

VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS info@VAREP.net 2

w w w . V A R E P. n e t

951- 444 -7363