businesses  quote  interest  rates  plus  other  charges in a way that conceals the actual figures behind a  mask  of  confusing  language.  That  results  in people  being  unaware  of  the  total  cost  of  their loans  or  installment  purchases. When  you  borrow  or  buy  something  “on time,” you should keep your eyes open for extra charges. Such charges are additions to the interest charge  for  the  use  of  the  money.  Some  of  these additional  charges  include  credit  life  insurance, fees for credit investigations, loan-handling fees, and  health  and  accident  insurance.  Often  the down  payment  and  the  monthly  payments  are  the only  figures  stated. Advise  your  personnel  to  ask  for  the  total charges  in  writing,  including  early  repayment penalties  and  monthly  rates.  If  they  do  not  receive the  amount  in  writing,  they  can  figure  it themselves.   First,   they   should   find   the   total amount they will pay for the loan or the purchase. They should then subtract the amount they will actually  receive  or  the  actual  price  of  the  goods from the total cost. The difference shows the total cost of credit. Taking the time to get the facts pays off. Indebtedness The  Navy  expects  its  personnel  to  pay  their debts in a proper and timely manner. However, enforcement  of  the  private  debts  of  personnel  falls under  the  control  of  civil  authorities.  You  do not  have  the  authority  to  arbitrate  claims  or controversies about the private financial debts of your  personnel.    You  also  do  not  have  the authority  to  act  as  an  agent  or  collector  for  a creditor.  Your  job  is  to  encourage  your  people to  conduct  their  financial  affairs  in  a  way  that reflects  credit  upon  themselves  and  the  Navy. From  start  to  final  settlement,  only  the creditor  and  the  debtor  are  responsible  for  the debtor’s financial obligations. You may only help creditors to a limited extent when it involves one of  your  people.  Your  authority  extends  only  to referring correspondence to persons involved and advising them to make their intentions known to the creditor. However, you do have authority to act in situations of nonpayment of legal debts by your  people.  In  such  situations,  you  should counsel enlisted persons about the provisions for discharge for misconduct. Follow the procedures in  the  Naval   Military   Personnel   Manual, NAVPERS  15506,  article  6210140. Law   prohibits   debt   collectors   (collection agencies) from contacting a third party, such as a commanding officer or division officer, to help collect a debt. The only exceptions are when the collector  has  a  court  order  or  the  prior  consent of  the  debtor.  The  law  defines  the  classes  of people prohibited from contacting you. However, persons  or  firms  collecting  on  their  own  behalf are  exempt  from  such  restrictions.  You  should refer correspondence from such persons or firms to  the  person  involved. You  should  courteously  refuse  requests  to furnish  information  about  the  personal  credit rating  of  one  of  your  people.  Navy  policy  limits any   replies   to   verification   of   the   following information: · The person’s membership in the Navy · The person’s station address · A statement of the person’s basic pay BE  SURE  YOU  UNDERSTAND  WHO  IN YOUR   COMMAND   HAS   THE   AUTHORITY TO   PROVIDE   THIS   INFORMATION—IT MAY  NOT  BE  YOU. FAMILY  SERVICE  CENTERS As the leader of your enlisted personnel, you should  be  aware  of  those  people  and  organiza- tions  who  can  help  your  people.  One  of  those organizations  is  the  Family  Service  Center  (FSC). The overall mission of FSCs is to improve the lives  of  Navy  personnel.  FSCs  provide  informa- tion,  resources,  and  services  that  support  and enrich  the  lives  of  Navy  personnel  and  their families. FSCs  serve  as  the  focal  point  for  existing family  and  personal  support  and  assistance programs.  The  purpose  of  the  centers  is  not  to duplicate  the  services  provided  by  other  Navy programs,  systems,  or  organizations.  However, they  offer  information  and  referral  on  a  full range   of   family-related   programs,   services, and  resources  within  the  Navy  and  civilian communities.   The   centers   support   Navy-   and command-sponsored   efforts,   such   as   the   om- budsman program, wives organizations, sponsor programs,   and   predeployment   briefings.   They provide  elected  services  that  may  differ  from center  to  center. 4-16