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Helpful Tools. Just For You.

At American Lake Credit Union, we’re here to support you through every step of your financial journey. Whether you’re looking to understand your credit report, avoid foreclosure, protect your identity, or explore free financial guides from trusted sources like the NCUA, you’ll find helpful tools and information right here.

Explore the links and guides below to take control of your finances with confidence.

If you have questions or want help navigating any of these topics, our team and our Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors (CCUFCs) are just a call or click away. We’re here to help you stay on course.

Are you unable to afford your mortgage payments, but want to avoid foreclosure? There are many options that may be available to you.

  • You may be able to refinance your loan, extending the repayment period and/or reducing the interest, thereby lowering the payments.
  • American Lake CU may be able to modify your loan, to make your payments more affordable
  • You may be able to surrender the deed to your house voluntarily, to avoid the foreclosure process.
  • American Lake CU may be able to provide you with special forbearance; considering your current circumstances you may be able to sell your home and repay your mortgage in its entirety. If your home’s value is less than your outstanding loan balance, American Lake CU may be willing to accept less money than you owe as full payment (a short sale).

To explore any (or all) of these options, contact American Lake CU, (253) 584-0079 or 1-800-244-0874.

For us to evaluate your eligibility for these options we must review some documents. Please prepare the following documents for our conversation:

  • Recent pay stubs (or other proof of income, such as SSI payments or retirement income)
  • Recent statements from all bank or credit union accounts
  • Tax return and all supporting documentation
  • Property tax statement
  • Hardship letter explaining why you are unable to make your payments
  • List of monthly expenses
  • You may be required to provide additional documentation of your expenses

Washington’s Department of Financial Institutions will help you find a certified housing counseling agency. You can reach them at 877-894-4663 (that’s 877-894-HOME).

The office of Housing and Urban Development will also help you find a certified housing counseling agency. That office can be reached at 800-569-4287.

A credit report is your history of paying debts and other bills. It includes your identifying information, public record info (defaults and/or legal judgments against you), listing of loans and credit cards (plus timeliness of payments) and inquiries (listing of creditors that have requested your credit report).

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACT Act) enables you to obtain a free copy of your credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). For detailed information, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov or at 1-877-382-4357.

Credit Bureaus

Equifax:

www.equifax.com | 1-800-685-1111

Experian:

www.experian.com | 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion:

www.transunion.com | 1-800-999-4213

Free Credit Reports

To obtain a free credit report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

What to Do IF You’re Identity Has Been Stolen?

Act immediately!

Keep a record of your conversations and all correspondence.

  • Contact the three major credit reporting agencies:
  • An excellent reference and checklist is the “What to do if Your Identity is Stolen” – Brochure
  • Contact creditors of all your accounts
  • File a police report

For more information regarding identity theft, visit the following websites: