Consumer Education and Resources

The Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), a regulatory agency for the District’s financial services industries, issues consumer tips and alerts to protect consumers from unfair and fraudulent business practices. Select from the following links to learn more. Consumer Tips, Alerts and Other Information 

Insurance

• DC Uninsured Motorist Fund
• Hurricane preparation

Health Insurance and Health Reform Implementation in DC (PPACA)/Salud

• Health Insurance Products Marketed in the District of Columbia
• Health Insurance Rate Review
  • Health Insurance Rate Filings 
  • Health Rate Target Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Exemption Requests
  • Medical Malpractice Rate Filings
• Know Your Health Insurance Rights

COBRA/Displaced Workers

• Frequently Asked Questions: Small Group Health Insurance Continuation of Coverage (DC mini-COBRA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill) [PDF]
• COBRA Fact Sheet  [PDF]

Natural Disasters

• After Storm Sandy: Five Reminders About Your Insurance Coverage
• Storm Sandy-Filing Insurance Claims and Insurance Company Information
• Evaluate Your Need for Flood Insurance

Securities

• Investor Bill of Rights  [PDF]
• Investor Education Booklets
• MoneyTrack - Season Three
• Older Americans: How to Avoid Investment Fraud and Abuse [PDF]
• Preventing Securities and Investment Fraud [PDF]

Banks, Mortgages and Consumer Finance

• Banks in DC
• Federal Credit Unions in DC
• Consumer Alert - Veterans and Older Americans Are Potential Targets for Deceptive Mortgage Advertisements [PDF]
• Consumer Alert – More Complaints from Consumers Mean More Predators Are Likely Prowling the Mortgage Market [PDF]

Credit/Crédito

• Cosigning a Loan [PDF]
• Credit Scoring  [PDF]
• Insurance Credit Scoring: A Consumer’s Credit Score May Affect Auto and Homeowners Insurance Premiums [PDF]
• Want a Free Credit Report?  [PDF]

Foreclosure Help

• Foreclosure Mediation Program for Homeowners
• Foreclosure Statement - Q&A's  [PDF]
• Foreclosure Mitigation Kit [PDF] 
• HUD's Settlement Cost Booklet [PDF]
• Home Lending and Foreclosure Rescue Scams  [PDF]
• Mortgage Loan Assistance Programs
  • District’s HomeSaver Program
  • Making Home Affordable
    • Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA)
    • Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)
    • Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)

• Fannie Mae Unemployment Forbearance Program [PDF] (for Fannie Mae Loan Holders only)

Seniors

• Consumer Alert - Veterans and Older Americans are Potential Targets for Deceptive Mortgage Advertisements [PDF]
• Mandatory Reporters: What You Need to Know to Save Lives [PDF]

Ask DISB – Common Consumer Questions