Consumer loans come in all shapes and sizes. As you might imagine, they form an enormous sector of the economy that grifters and scammers can find irresistible.
DFPI & Loans
In California, DFPI is central in ensuring lenders operate fairly, transparently, and in compliance with state laws and regulations. And that’s something that can help every Californian breathe easier.
Featured Resources

Checking Your Credit – What You Need to Know
Reviewing your credit report can help protect your credit history from mistakes, errors, or signs of identity theft. The DFPI strongly encourages you to pull your report annually, so there are no surprises when you need to open a new account or use your credit for an important purchase, such as a car or home.

Student Loan Debt: A Disproportionate Burden on Black and Latino Borrowers
In the United States, student loan debt is nearing $2 trillion, and Californians carry approximately $150 billion of the debt. Student loan debt is now the second highest consumer market after mortgages.

New Year, New Financial Goals
Follow these eight tips to help you set your financial goals for the coming year and create a plan for successfully achieving them
Useful Terms
Amortization
Amortization allows you to pay off a loan via regular payments that are applied to both the principal and interest. Make sure you have your loan’s amortization schedule so you know how each payment contributes to reducing the loan balance.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is your total yearly cost of borrowing. Your APR includes both interest payments and any additional fees or charges associated with the loan.
Grace Period
The grace period is a stretch of time when you can pay your balance in full without incurring any interest charges.
Interest Rate
Your interest rate represents the cost a lender charges you for letting you use its money. It is the annual percentage of the total loan amount that you have to pay to the lender on the money you’ve borrowed, in addition to repayment of the principal.
Principal
Your principal is the original amount of money borrowed, separate from interest and fees. As you pay down your loan, part of each payment goes toward your principal and another part goes toward interest.
Other Useful Links:
- Protect your money. Know your rights: This resource should be your first stop when it comes to protecting your money and knowing your rights in California. Find numerous educational resources and important contacts in the event you think you’ve been taken advantage of.
- Bureau of Consumer Protection: The Bureau of Consumer Protection collects and investigates reports from consumers of unfair and fraudulent business practices, suing companies and people who break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.
- Industries Regulated by DFPI: What may sound like an impossibly dry and boring web page is actually a valuable and even fascinating guide where you can learn about how the financial industry in California actually works.
- Debt: A Guide for New Americans: If you come from a culture where cash is king, debt may sound forbidding, but managed correctly, debt can help you achieve your American dreams. If you need more guidance in understanding credit, check out Consumer Financial Education: Credit and Credit Reports or check out our CalMoneySmart grantees that specialize in financial education and empowerment.
Other Recent Consumer Alerts and Insights
Press Release
DFPI ordena a Apoyo Financiero, Inc. pagar más de $1 millón por cobrar de más a los clientes
The DFPI announced that a Concord-based lender, Apoyo Financiero, Inc., must pay a hefty $1 million penalty for charging excessive interest and fees to its customers.

Consumer Insights
Holiday deal or trap? How to spot the scam
Nov 24, 2025
The holiday season is prime hunting ground for scammers. Follow this guide to help identify and avoid common online holiday shopping swindles.

Alerts
Sham Letter Impersonating DFPI Requests “Security Deposit” for Crypto Mining Activities
Dec 5, 2025
The DFPI has been alerted to a scam involving sham letters and emails impersonating the Department.

Alerts
Fake Websites Impersonating Licensed Escrow Company All Points Escrow, Inc.
Nov 21, 2025
The DFPI has received information that four websites, listed below, are falsely representing themselves as All Points Escrow, Inc. (All Points), a legitimate licensed escrow company in California (License #963-1675).


