Consumer Services Guide (CSG)
Consumer Action Edition
The Consumer Services Guide is searchable directory of resources which can help you with consumer problems and questions. There are multiple editions of the ‘Guide’, some which deal with specific issues such as housing or credit. The full directory, the Consumer Service Guide Edition, provides access to all the resources collected by Consumer Action.
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- Consumer Federation of America (CFA)
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. Today, nearly 300 of these groups participate in the federation and govern it through their representatives on the organization's Board of Directors. Founded in 1972, the foundation has a three fold mission: to assist state and local…
(added October 2006) - Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products…
(added October 2006) - Consumer Reports
The online version of “Consumer Reports” magazine, published by Consumers Union. Free areas of the site provide product recalls, shopping guidance, and sample reports.
(added October 2006) - Consumer Watchdog
Consumer Watchdog, formerly the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing an effective voice for taxpayers and consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. We deploy an in-house team of public interest lawyers, policy experts, strategists, and grassroots activists to expose, confront, and change corporate and political injustice every day, saving Americans billions…
(added October 2006) - Consumer World
Links to more than 2,000 consumer resources.
(added October 2006) - Consumers for Auto Reliability And Safety (CARS)
Information about California’s lemon law, updates on changes to auto safety laws, as well as links to sites about auto safety and how to avoid buying a lemon.
(added October 2006) - Consumers Union
Publisher of Consumer Reports magazine and books comparing products and services. Works on legislation concerning health care, the environment, auto insurance reform and housing. Does not handle individual complaints but does offer referrals.
(added October 2006) - Contra Costa County District Attorney
Offers a limited mediation service; refers complaints it can’t handle to the appropriate agency.
(added October 2006) - Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Call regional offices for information on disclosable complaints against a particular contractor. Contact district offices about complaints against faulty or illegally executed work, unreasonable delays or other problems with contractors. Call automated operator to verify contracting licenses.
(added October 2006) - Credit Scoring Site
The Credit Scoring Site examines credit industry policy not to make credit scores available to consumers.
(added October 2006) - Department of Aging (CDA)
Call with complaints about nursing homes and residential care facilities. Also engages in advocacy for seniors and the disabled who are in long-term care facilities. Will refer callers to appropriate district offices for further assistance.
(added October 2006) - Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation provides services and information that promote environmental health, economic vitality, informed land-use decisions and sound management of our state’s natural resources.
(added October 2006) - Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
The Direct Marketing Association is the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit organizations using and supporting multichannel direct marketing tools and techniques. DMA advocates industry standards for responsible marketing, promotes relevance as the key to reaching consumers with desirable offers, and provides cutting-edge research, education, and networking opportunities to improve results throughout the end-to-end direct marketing process.
(added October 2006) - Electronic Frontier Foundation
Nonprofit group that works to protect free expression and privacy on the Internet and in the world of computer technology.
(added October 2006) - Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
A public interest research center focusing public attention on civil liberties issues and efforts to protect privacy, first amendment, and constitutional rights. Provides reports concerning the A-Z’s of privacy, ranging from Caller ID and Social Security numbers to airline passenger profiles and wiretapping.
(added October 2006) - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse - Dept. of Energy
For information about conservation and renewable energy.
(added October 2006) - Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Privacy of Your Credit Report
An excellent in-depth resource on the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the first federal law to regulate the use of personal information by private businesses, prepared by the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
(added October 2006) - Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)
Fair Isaacs Inc. is one of the largest and oldest creators of the consumer credit scoring models used by financial institutions to assess loan applicants' risk, offers very general information on credit scores.
(added October 2006) - Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae provides financial products and services to help low-, moderate-, and middle-income families to buy homes. Site includes a calculator to help you figure out the total costs of a mortgage.
(added October 2006) - Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC)
Consumers can read, print out, or save the current Consumer Information Catalog and the full text of all the publications listed in it. Consumers can access additional information on a wide range of subjects by clicking on different topic headings. Hundreds of publications, the latest product recalls and scams, updates of consumer news from various Federal agencies, and a calendar of consumer- related events are…
(added October 2006) - Federation of State Medical Boards
Directory of state medical boards and links to disciplinary actions taken against doctors.
(added October 2006) - FinAid! The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
Comprehensive guide to student financial aid. Discusses sources of financial aid, as well as tips on avoiding scams.
(added October 2006) - GuideStar
Website of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance (combines the National Charities Information Bureau and the Philanthropical Advisory Service of the Better Business Bureau Foundation). Features summaries of 166 national charitable organizations evaluated using 23 accountability standards, as well as tips and a guide to wise giving.
(added October 2006) - Identity Theft Resource Center
Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a nonprofit, nationally respected organization dedicated exclusively to the understanding and prevention of identity theft. The ITRC provides victim and consumer support as well as public education. The ITRC also advises governmental agencies, legislators, law enforcement, and businesses about the evolving and growing problem of identity theft.
(added October 2006) - Kelley Blue Book
Obtain online the value of new and used cars.
(added October 2006)
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