Useful Links: Consumer Info
Cyber Security
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ID Theft Resource Center The ITRC is a non-profit organization established to support victims of identity theft in resolving their cases, and to broaden public education and awareness in the understanding of identity theft, data breaches, cyber security, scams/fraud and privacy issues. Need help? Call and speak with an ID Theft Specialist for free assistance at 888.400.5530. Se habla Español.
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OnGuard Online -- FTC Tips to help you stay safe and secure online.
Product & Company Reviews
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Consumer World Consumer World is a public service consumer resource guide with over 2000 links to everything "consumer".
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ConsumerSearch "We strive to make our content objective and precise; at no point are our editors influenced by advertising or other commercial considerations. Our goal is to report the truth about what experts and users are saying as well as important developments in each product category we cover." For each product category, ConsumerSearch provides the following information: Best Reviewed: Our selection of the top-rated products, based on expert and user reviews Full Report: Our complete analysis of who the experts are and what they say, as well as our review of important product trends and developments Our Sources: Our ranking and description of the top reviews, complete with links
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The Wirecutter : a list of the best technology to buy “Founded by Brian Lam, The Wirecutter focuses only on reviews of the best products in a bevy of categories, from Android phones to Bluetooth headsets to humidifiers to computer bags for women. On a Web overrun with news blogs, it’s something different and rarer: a smart, reliable buying guide.” (Times review by Harry McCracken)
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Consumerist “Founded in 2005, Consumerist is an independent source of consumer news and information published by Consumer Media LLC, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Consumer Reports. We take no outside advertising. The content you see on this site is brought to you through the generous support of your fellow readers.”
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Top Consumer Reviews “TopConsumerReviews.com is an independent organization dedicated to bringing you unbiased reviews of the top products available for online purchase today. As a proud member of the Better Business Bureau, we support honesty and fairness throughout the business community.”
Buying or Selling a Car
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Cars.com “Car shoppers should drive over to Cars.com for easy to understand information on what to buy, where to buy, and how much to pay for a new or used auto or truck. It includes comprehensive pricing and financing information, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content, and a large selection of new- and used-car inventory. Search for specific makes, models, and years, or browse current models. Opinions are available from experts and consumers alike. Additional tools include an auto loan calculator and Kelley Blue Book values. Current car owners will also find this an excellent resource for recall data, repair cost estimates, and tax credits.” Reference & User Services Quarterly
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Edmunds Offers information on new cars and used cars by body type or make, car reviews, tips on buying or leasing a car, financing and insuring one, and articles on car maintenance.
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Fuel Economy This site from the U.S. Department of Energy offers gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks. Check out the new hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles or learn how to improve your own gas mileage. Planning on buying a new 2008 car? Take a look at the 2008 Fuel Economy Guide.
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Kelley Blue Book "Both KBB and NADA offer tools to calculate retail or trade-in values of used cars, new car reviews and prices, and other automotive information. KBB focuses on automobiles while NADA also includes similar information on classic cars, motorcycles, boats, and RVs."
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JD Power Values (NADA Values) NADA guides offer a broad range of data, products and services, informational articles, tips and advice and video buying guides that help make the vehicle purchasing process easier for consumers.
Publications
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Consumer Action Handbook The federal Consumer Action Handbook offers helpful tips on topics including preventing identity theft, understanding credit, and filing a consumer complaint.
Seniors
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Senior Citizen's Resource Guide The New York State Office of the Aging offers this resource guide to services and information on topics such as healthcare, housing, crime, recreation, and volunteering.
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Medicare and You This official U.S. government Medicare handbook is now available only online.
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TechBoomers Techboomers.com is a free educational website that teaches older adults and other inexperienced Internet users with basic computer skills about websites that can help improve their quality of life.
Public Consumer Agencies
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.
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FTC Consumer Information From the Federal Trade Commission.
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Consumer.gov Managing Your Money; Credit Loans and Debt; and Scams and Identity Theft.
AARP's Report that Fraud! links:
Federal Trade Commission
877-382-4357
National Do Not Call Registry
888-382-1222
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
855-411-2372
Postal Inspection Service
877-876-2455
Internet Crime Complaint Center
Internet (also under TECHNOLOGY tab)
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Scambusters A public service website and email newsletter that has helped over 11 million people protect themselves from Internet scams, identity theft and spam since 1994.
Odds and Ends
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Protect Your Move Are you moving to another state? We can help you protect your life’s memories and move with confidence. Our "Ready to Move" brochure and checklist is a handy tool to help you prepare for your move, and understand what you will need to know and do during each phase of your moving process. Explore the sections below to learn more: Learn About Moving Fraud Research Your Mover File a Moving Fraud Complaint
Unclaimed Funds
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Federal Unclaimed Assets FAQ At the federal level, there is no government-wide, centralized information service or database on how unclaimed government assests may be obtained. Each individual federal agency maintains its own records. Visit this website for assistance.
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New York State's Unclaimed Funds "The Sate of New York is currently holding billions of dollars in unclaimed funds. Some of this money may belong to you! For your protection, banks, insurance companies, utilities, investment companies and many other businesses are required by State law to surrender inactive accounts to the State. The Office of the State Comptroller serves as custodian of this money until you claim it. The State of New York never takes ownership of this money. If you can prove you are entitled to the money, we will gladly return it to you, at any time, without charge."
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Other States -- NAUPA This site offers links to the unclaimed funds sites of states other than New York.
Consumer Advocacy
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Elliott AdvocacyElliott Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can’t.
We do it through direct consumer advocacy, journalism, and by maintaining the largest database of executive contact information on the Internet for consumers.
Health
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Compare Nursing Homes Select nursing homes to compare by distance from zip code or city, by county, or by state. View overall ratings or ratings of health inspections, staffing, or quality measures.
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RadiologyInfo THE radiology information resource for patients
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UI Health Library Written by talented UI Hospitals and Clinics staff, our comprehensive library features articles and patient guides covering common health topics ranging from special procedures to general wellness.
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CaringInfo CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, provides free resources to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services before a crisis. Download state specific Advance Directive documents.
Law
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New York State's CourtHelp CourtHelp can help you when you don’t have a lawyer
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LawHelpNY.org "LawHelpNY.org is a website designed to help low-income New Yorkers with their civil legal problems. It is a collaborative effort across New York State legal aid offices to give low income and vulnerable New Yorkers access to legal information, information about how to contact legal aid offices and other social agencies that can assist them, as well as help them understand their legal rights and navigate the court system. This website covers legal problems including (but not limited to): housing, public benefits, (SSI, SSD, or PA), family law, discrimination and more. LawHelpNY covers 16 legal areas and connects to over 500 legal aid programs offering free legal services in New York State." Provided by Pro Bono Net. Also available in Spanish / Español: http://www.lawhelpny.org/es/
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Nolo.com A well-known publisher of legal self-help books, Nolo also offers similar information online. Under "Wills and Estate Planning" the site inclues a step-by-step overview leading the reader through the many aspects of estate planning--from wills and trusts to health care directives, from beneficiary forms and life insurance to storing your legal documents properly. Other subjects on the site include: Business & Human resources; Rights & Disputes; Patents, Copyright & Art; Property & Money; and Family Law & Immigration.
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CaringInfo CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, provides free resources to help people make decisions about end-of-life care and services before a crisis. Download state specific Advance Directive documents.
Charities
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Charity Navigator Find a charity you can trust by using Charity Navigator, America's premiere independent charity evaluator.
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IRS Search for Charities: Online Version of Publication 78 Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, is a list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. This online version is offered to help you conduct a more efficient search of these organizations.
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Pennies for Charities This Web site contains financial reports of charities active in NY, offering guidance for those considering donating to charity and links to other resources.
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Charity Watch CharityWatch—founded more than 20 years ago as the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP)—is America's most independent, assertive charity watchdog. CharityWatch does not merely repeat what a charity reports using simplistic or automated formulas. We dive deep to let you know how efficiently a charity will use your donation to fund the programs you want to support. CharityWatch exposes nonprofit abuses and advocates for your interests as a donor.