Consumer Protection Resources
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.
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:
Managing Credit and Debt
- Fixing Bad Credit Over Time
- Credit Card Tips 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
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.