Consumer Protection Resources

Issues: Consumer Issues

State and federal agencies provide many tips and resources to consumers in an effort to make sure they are well-informed before buying products and services. They also try to alert consumers to common scams and fraudulent offers.

I sincerely hope that these resources help you protect your privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, make informed decisions, and steer clear of frauds and scams.

Banking

If you have questions about banking products or bank practices, a division of the Treasury Department provides answers to many common questions. Some specific topics include:

Health and Safety

The Federal Trade Commission provides links to many state and federal resources designed to help consumers make the best heath care choices available. Some specific topics include:

Generic Drugs and Low-Cost Prescriptions
Joining a Gym
Prescriptions for Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses
Health Information for Seniors, including information about

Managing Credit and Debt

Fixing Bad Credit Over Time
Credit Card FAQ's from the Federal Reserve
Disputing Errors on Your Credit Report
Dealing with Debt Collectors

Staying Safe Online

The Federal Trade Commission, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security and many other federal agencies, maintains OnGuardOnline.gov, with current information about using online resources wisely and safely. Topics include:

Child Identity Theft
Malware, Viruses and Spyware
Using Public WiFi
Cyberbullying
Phishing (attempts to get you to divulge private information)
Disposing of Old Computers Safely
and more

Avoiding Scams

Scam Stoppers
The Better Business Bureau maintains a site titled "Scam Stoppers," which is designed to shed light on common scams and give you a way to report suspected scams for further investigation.

The Federal Trade Commission provides tips on avoiding specific types of scams, including:

Please see the Consumer Topics section of the National Consumer Protection Week site for more topics.