When you apply for credit, a creditor may not:

• Ask about or consider your sex, race, national origin or religion

• Ask about your marital status or your spouse, unless you are applying for a joint account or relying on your spouse's income or you live in a community property state (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington)

• Ask about your plans to have or raise children

• Refuse to consider reliable public assistance income or regularly received alimony or child support

• Discount or refuse to consider income because of your sex or marital status or because it is from part-time work or retirement benefits

You have the right to:

• Have credit in your birth name, your first name and your spouse's last name, or your first name and a combined last name;

• Have a co-signer other than your spouse if one is necessary;

• Keep your own accounts after you change your name or marital status or retire, unless the creditor has evidence you are unable or unwilling to pay

• Know why a credit application is rejected; the creditor must give you the specific reasons or tell you of your right to find out the reasons if you ask within 60 days

• Have accounts shared with your spouse reported in both your names

• Know how much it will cost to borrow money. The Truth in Lending Act requires a lender to inform you of the cost to borrow, so that you can compare the cost and terms of credit offered by various lenders.