The Equal Credit Opportunity Act protects consumers when dealing with banks, credit unions, finance companies, credit card companies and so forth.
When you apply for credit, the creditor cannot:
* Ask about or consider your sex, race, national origin or religion.
* Ask about your marital status or your spouse, unless you are applying for a joint account or relying on your spouse's income, or you live in a community property state (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, or Wisconsin)
* Ask about your plans to have or raise children
* Refuse to consider public assistance income or regularly received alimony or child support
* Refuse to consider income because of your sex or marital status or because it is from part-time work or retirement benefits
You have the right to:
* Have credit in your birth name, your first name and your spouse/ partner's last name, or your first name and a combined last name
* Have a co-signer other than your spouse if one is necessary
* Keep your own accounts after you change your name or marital status or retire, unless the creditor has evidence you are unable or unwilling to pay
* Know why a credit application was rejected-the creditor must give you the specific reasons or tell you where and how you can get them if you ask within 60 days
* Have accounts shared with your spouse reported in both your names
* Know how much it will cost to borrow money
* You have right to an annual, really free credit report with no credit card required.
