Subject Guides » Consumer Information

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Government Sites

  • Federal Trade Commission
    http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm
    The Consumer Protection section of the FTC website offers practical information on a variety of consumer topics. The information here can help you avoid rip-offs and exercise your consumer rights.

  • Consumer.Gov
    http://www.consumer.gov/
    Consumer protection basics in plain and simple language, on all the most popular topics.
  • Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs
    http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/
    Look up a licensed professional’s status, see recalls and advisories, resolve problems, file a complaint, learn about regulations, standards and legal protections, and much more

  • There's Hope: Western Massachusetts Foreclosure Prevention Center
    http://thereshopewm.org/
    This state-funded program helps homeowners avoid foreclosure with counseling, help creating a plan of action, and assistance in following through.

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
    http://www.cpsc.gov/
    Find out about recalls and product safety standards.

  • SaferProducts.gov
    http://www.saferproducts.gov/
    A database where consumers, child service providers, health care professionals, government officials, and public safety entities can file complaints about unsafe products. Complaints are vetted by the CPSC and made available on the website if approved. The database also contains recalls and reports for a large variety of products.

  • Consumer Action Handbook
    http://www.usa.gov/topics/consumer/consumer-action-handbook.pdf
    Online version of the Consumer Action Handbook

  • Consumer Guides and Protection
    http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Consumer_Safety.shtml
    Links to official information and services from the U.S. government on a wide range of consumer topics

  • New York City Office of Financial Empowerment
    http://www.nyc.gov/html/ofe/html/home/home.shtml
    Providing education and support about money matters for low income citizens.

Nonprofits

  • National Consumer Law Center
    http://www.nclc.org/
    The National Consumer Law Center is a nonprofit advocacy organization that seeks to build economic security and family wealth for low-income and other economically disadvantaged Americans. We promote access to quality financial services and protect family assets from unfair and exploitive transactions that wipe out resources and undermine self-sufficiency.
  • MassPIRG
    http://www.masspirg.org/
    A nonprofit lobbying group promoting consumers' interests and the environment.

  • ConsumerEmpowered.org
    http://www.consumersempowered.org/
    Consumer Information for Massachusetts residents with an emphasis on Internet privacy and security and automobiles.

  • Consumers Union
    http://www.consumersunion.org/
    The nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports

  • Hear Us Now
    http://www.hearusnow.org/
    Consumer Voice for Communications Choice, a project of Consumers Union. Covers internet, TV, radio, phone, and media ownership issues.

  • Consumer Reports Webwatch
    http://www.consumerwebwatch.org/
    A site created to "investigate, inform, and improve the quality of information published on the World Wide Web."

Reviews

  • ConsumerSearch
    http://www.consumersearch.com/
    A collection of reviews and ratings handpicked and edited from other sources. A staff favorite.

  • Consumer Reports
    http://libraries.state.ma.us/login?db=GRGM&locid=mlin_w_forbes
    Log on from any computer in Massachusetts to access Consumer Reports full-text articles for free. (If you are out of state, you will be prompted to enter your library card number.)
    Click "General Reference Center Gold," then the "more search options" link. Type your search topic in the box marked "Find:" and Consumer Reports in the box marked "by publication title:"; then click "Search."

  • Angie's List
    http://www.angieslist.com/
    Join the Springfield chapter to participate in an online community rating local contractors based on customers' personal experiences. $10 per year membership fee.

  • Car Tips, Advice and Troubleshooting
    http://www.cartalk.com/content/car-info
    From Car Talk. Includes information on buying, selling, owning, safety and environmental concerns, and the Mechanics Files customer review database.

  • Fuel Economy
    http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
    Website by the United States DOE, with a feature offering side-by-side fuel economy & cost comparisons of car models; other sections offer driving tips, information on hybrid vehicles, and a low-gas-price search engine..

Safety

Credit Report

  • Annual Credit Report
    http://www.annualcreditreport.com
    This is the only official source for your free copy of your credit report, which you are entitled to once a year. Watch out for scam sites that want to charge money or take your personal information!

Miscellaneous

  • Gethuman database
    http://gethuman.com/
    Tired of being lost in those hopeless "phone trees" when you try to call for consumer help? Gethuman.com has compiled this extensive list of how to cut through the maze and get a human being.

  • National Do Not Call Registry
    https://www.donotcall.gov/
    Stop telemarketing calls by placing your phone number(s) on this federal government list of prohibited numbers.
  • ConsumerAffairs.com
    http://www.consumeraffairs.com/
    An independent Web-based consumer news and resource center. Includes news articles as well as customer reviews and complain.
 
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