DISB issues consumer alerts and guides, publishes reports and provides informational resources to educate residents on the financial service providers and products available in the District of Columbia. Select from the links below the consumer resources provided by the Department. Learn more about DISB participation in financial education campaigns tools, and initiatives throughout the year. Remember you can file a complaint or report financial fraud to our agency.
DISB Consumer Financial Resource Guide
DISB’s Consumer Financial Resource Guide is a one-stop resource for consumers regarding financial services and insurance resources in the District of Columbia. The guide covers such topics as auto, health, home and life insurance, banking and personal finance, housing, foreclosure prevention, how to file a complaint or report fraud, small business resources and more.
DISB Consumer Alerts and Guides
DISB publishes consumer alerts and guides to inform District of Columbia residents about financial services and insurance topics and to help residents avoid being a victim of fraud or unfair and fraudulent business practices.
Recent alerts and guides:
- COVID Vaccination Card Scam
- Penny Stock Scam
- Tax Prep Scam
- Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) Theft and Cryptocurrency Investment Scams
- Cash App Scam
- COVID-19 Scams
- DISB Business Owner Guide: Property Protection—Insurance Insights for Business Owners
- Obamacareplans
- Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams
- Learn if a "Sou-Sou" Is Legit or Fake Before Investing
- Free Financial Planning Resources
- Student Loan Borrowers—Beware of Credit Report Coding Errors During CARES Act Forbearance Period
- COVID-10 Related Early Withdrawals from Retirement Account
- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
- DISB Consumer Alert: Global Medicare Insurance Group COVID-19 Scam
- The Benefits of Banking
- Financial Resources and Services
- Beware of Student Loan Debt Relief Scams
- Insurance During Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Beware of Coronavirus Scams
- Business Insurance—Cleaning Services
- Business Insurance—Daycare
- Business Insurance—Selling Online
- Business Insurance—Moving Companies
- Business Insurance—Restaurants
- DISB Warns District Residents of Deceptive Mailers Selling Funeral Insurance Policies
- ICE Agent Imposter Scam
- Tech Support Scams
- Social Security Scams
- Beware of 2020 Census Scams
- Beware of Real Estate Wire Transfer Scams
- Beware of Payday Loans
View the archive of alerts and guides.
Insurance Resources
DISB provides a number of resources to help you with all types of insurance policies.
Insurance Rate Comparisons
- Standard Auto, Non-Standard Auto, Renters, Homeowner and Condo Insurance Premium Comparisons
- Title Insurance
Car Insurance
- Safe Driving Tips
- DC Uninsured Motorist Fund
- What to Know About Your Insurance After a Car Accident
- Things to Know About Car Insurance and Rental Cars Before Starting Your Summer Road Trip
Health Insurance
- Learn about DC Health Link, the online marketplace for health insurance
- Health Insurance Products Marketed in the District of Columbia
- Health Insurance Rate Filings
- Beware of Simple Health Plans LLC
- Mental Health Parity
- Health Rate Target Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Exemption Requests
- Medical Malpractice Rate Filings
- Know Your Health Insurance Rights
- What You Should Know About Long-Term Care Insurance
Homeowners and Renters Insurance
- Sample Declaration Page [PDF]
- It is Important to Maintain Your Homeowners Insurance
- Things You Should Know When Selecting a Contractor
- What You Need to Know About Renters Insurance
- FAQ: Condominium Insurance
- Hidden Benefits of Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
- Insurance Tips for Homeowners and Renters
- Insurance Considerations for College Students
- What You Should Know About Renters Insurance
Insurance and Weather-Related Events or Natural Disasters
- If My Frozen Pipes Burst, Am I Covered by Insurance?
- Consumer Guide: Flood Insurance
- Hurricane Preparation: Act Now to Make Recovering from Storm Damage Easier
- Tips for Filing Insurance Claims and Insurance Company Information Following Weather Events
- Evaluate Your Need for Flood Insurance
- Flood Insurance Program Could Lapse
Life Insurance
- Review Your Policy to Secure Your Family’s Future
- Suggestions for How to Locate Missing Life Insurance Policies
Other
- How an Insurance Company Can Use Your Credit Score to Determine Your Premium
- Consider Your Insurance Options When Changing Jobs
Securities Resources
Investments
- Investment Scams via Real Estate
- Tools for Retirement: Is an Annuity Right for You?
- Understanding Broker-Dealer Fees
- Things to Know About Energy Investments
Investment Scams
- DISB Warns Consumers of Advance Fee Scam by Fictitious Entity
- Beware of Unlicensed Financial Advisers
- Beware of Fictitious Financial Advisers
- Beware of Dangers of a Volatile Stock Market
- Beware of Unregistered Investment Product Offerings
- Affinity Fraud: Scams Targeting the Faithful
Investor Education
DISB offers investor education resources and participates in campaigns to enhance District residents’ investor and retirement education knowledge.
- Online Investor Education Programs: DISB partners with the Investor Protection Trust to provide personal finance and investment basics. If you would like more information, contact DISB at (202) 727-8000.
Banking Resources
Foreclosure Prevention
DISB provides access to a number of resources to help District residents avoid foreclosure including foreclosure mediation, housing counseling and legal aid for homeowners. Call the District’s Foreclosure Prevention Hotline – (202) 265-CALL (2255) or 1(855) 449-CALL (2255) to get started.
Personal Finance
- Financially Fit DC Initiative
- Bank on DC: Need a bank or credit union account, or to reestablish a banking relationship? Bank on DC can help. Bank on DC provides the unbanked and underbanked in the District with access to low-cost, safe financial accounts, products and services and high-quality financial education.
- Accessing Your Free Credit Report: Did you know that each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies—Equifax, Experian and TransUnion—are required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months?
- Tips for ATM Safety and Use
Student Loans
- District's Student Loan Ombudsman: Get answers to your student loan concerns from your advocate that can help with: understanding the student loan process, providing information about financial options available to pay for higher education, and connecting with loan servicers to resolve complaints. Schedule an appointment with the Student Loan Ombudsman and request the Ombudsman for speaking engagements by sending an email to [email protected] or complete our form at Request a DISB speaker.
Scams
- Fighting Fake Insurance
- How to Prevent Identity Theft
- Genetic Testing Scam
- Grant Scam
- Beware of the Grandparent Scam
- Consumer Scams
- Advance Fee Scams
- Beware of Fake Debt Collectors
- Closing a Mortgage? What Consumers Can Expect from New Disclosure Forms
- Beware of Lottery Scam from Fictitious Entity "World Bank Group"
- Beware of Loan Application Scam Called “Mirroring”
- Beware of Loan Collection Scam Emails
Other
- Banks in DC
- Federal Credit Unions in DC
- What You Should Know About Bitcoin and Other Virtual Currencies
Community Presentations
DISB is in your community! See our in-person consumer education calendar at this link or request a DISB speaker for your upcoming neighborhood or organization meeting.