Read and translate the texts. Any store, bank, or credit card company that extends credit to consumers wants to know that the money will be repaid

Any store, bank, or credit card company that extends credit to consumers wants to know that the money will be repaid. Before making a loan, the creditor will want to know several things about the consumer:

· Is the consumer a reliable person? (For example, a person who moves or changes jobs frequently might not be considered reliable.)

· Does the consumer have a steady income that is likely to continue into the future?

· Is the consumer’s income high enough to enable him or her to pay for the items to be purchased?

· Does the consumer have a good record in paying off other loans and bills?

Creditors are in business to make money; thus, it is understandable that they would ask questions such as these. However, creditors have sometimes unfairly denied credit for reasons such as the debtor’s race, sex, or source of income (such as public assistance or alimony). Today a federal law, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, protects consumers against credit discrimination based on sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, old age, or source of income. The Federal Trade Commission handles credit discrimination complaints against finance companies, retail stores, oil companies, and travel and entertainment credit card
companies. Bank regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Reserve Board and the Comptroller of the Currency, handle complaints against banks and bank credit cards. If you think you have been discriminated against, you may complain to one of these agencies or sue the creditor in court.

Many states also have laws that forbid credit discrimination. Complaints should be directed to the state or local consumer affairs office or human rights commission.