March 3 – 9 is Consumer Protection Week. One of the best ways Americans can protect themselves from falling victim to identity theft, scams, debt collection harassment, and more is by knowing what the law says they’re entitled to as consumers. The United States has legislation for everything from credit repair to robocalls. Here are eight consumer protection laws every American should know about and what recourse is available if those rights are violated.

Laws about Credit & Credit History

Fair Credit Reporting Act

Your credit history is your reputation in the financial world – being able to protect it is vital. The FCRA gives consumers the right to dispute information on their credit histories that may result from an error or malicious intent. It also requires that credit bureaus investigate the matter, attempt to resolve it, and share the results of their investigation.

Credit Repair Organizations Act

The CROA deals with credit scores, specifically, repairing them. It mandates that credit repair companies can’t ask for payment in advance – an important defense against scammers who intend to take the money and run. It also requires that agreements with these companies must be in writing and that consumers have a means of canceling these contracts.

Laws about Billing & Information

Fair Credit Billing Act

It only pertains to revolving lines of credit such as credit cards. Consumers can dispute charges over $50 that are incorrect, unauthorized, or for goods or services that did not meet expectations. It also protects against charges made as a result of theft.

Truth in Lending Act

Requires that lenders provide loan information and give three days to back out of an agreement without losing any money. The transparency makes it possible for consumers to compare different credit products, while also protecting against high-pressure or dishonest sales tactics.

Laws about Fees & Debt Collection

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

The FDCPA limits what debt collections can say or do in attempts to collect household debts (it doesn’t apply to business debts) and is a milestone in protecting consumers from harassment. Here’s what debt collectors cannot do: contact consumers at unusual or unreasonable times, use social media to publicize any owed debt, harass consumers with threats or profane language, or misrepresent themselves or how much debt is owed.

Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act

Better known as the Credit CARD Act, this 2009 legislation marked a significant leap in consumer protections from credit card companies. The most notable aspects: it places limits on fees and interest charges, requires that credit card companies provide advanced notice of interest rate hikes, and prevents higher rates from being applied retroactively.

Laws about Communication & Advertising

Telephone Consumer Protection Act

The primary legislation for regulating business contact via phone. Some of its most notable outcomes are time restrictions for calls (between 8 AM and 9 PM) and the creation of both an internal and a national Do Not Call registry. The TCPA also applies to texts, faxes, and VoIP calls.

Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act

More commonly referred to as the CAN-SPAM Act, the country’s first national standard regarding commercial email prohibits the use of deceptive subject lines while also requiring that unsolicited emails provide an opt-out method.

How to use consumer protection laws to your advantage

Dealing with pushy debt collectors or salespeople? Let them know that you know the law (bonus points if you cite the specific legislation) and they’ll change their tune pretty quickly. Knowing consumer protection laws is also important for distinguishing between legitimate companies and scams. Any business, especially a financial one, that appears to violate any of the above legislation is a major red flag.

What can you do if you experience a violation of your consumer rights? Report them to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Both institutions were created to look out for the interest of the people by preventing fraudulent, deceptive, or unfair business practices and can take action against institutions that an individual person could not. More importantly, these organizations have the authority to penalize institutions that violate consumer protection laws.