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.

Listings for Cook County

These are the results for consumer specific consumer resources for Cook County. The listing is grouped by primary service category, then sorted alphabetically.

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Better Business Bureau

• Illinois - Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  Contact for pre-purchase inquiry and complaint information on local businesses. Takes complaints on companies and arbitrates problems and disputes. Monitors and reviews local advertising and tracks and reports on charitable organizations. (Chicago, IL)
  

Children and Young Adults

• National Runaway Switchboard (part of Health and Human Services)
  The mission at the National Runaway Switchboard is to help keep America’s runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Their services are provided in part through funding from Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Chicago, IL)
  

Consumer Information

• CharityWatch
  CharityWatch (formerly the American Institute of Philanthropy) is a nationally prominent charity watchdog service whose purpose is to help donors make informed giving decisions. (Chicago, IL)
  
• Morningstar
  Morningstar is a trusted source for insightful information on stocks, mutual funds, variable annuities, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, separate accounts, hedge funds, and 529 college savings plans (Chicago, IL)
  
• National Runaway Switchboard (part of Health and Human Services)
  The mission at the National Runaway Switchboard is to help keep America’s runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Their services are provided in part through funding from Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Chicago, IL)
  
• United States Postal Inspection Service, (USPS)
  The mission of the United States Postal Inspection Service is to protect the U.S. Postal Service, its employees and its customers from criminal attack, and protect the nation’s mail system from criminal misuse. (Chicago, IL)
  

Consumer Protection

• Illinois - Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  Contact for pre-purchase inquiry and complaint information on local businesses. Takes complaints on companies and arbitrates problems and disputes. Monitors and reviews local advertising and tracks and reports on charitable organizations. (Chicago, IL)
  
• Illinois - Division of Insurance
  The Consumer Services Division is responsible for gathering and responding to consumer inquiries regarding insurance company or producer activities. (Chicago, IL)
  
• National Runaway Switchboard (part of Health and Human Services)
  The mission at the National Runaway Switchboard is to help keep America’s runaway and at-risk youth safe and off the streets. Their services are provided in part through funding from Family and Youth Services Bureau in the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Chicago, IL)
  
• United States Postal Inspection Service, (USPS)
  The mission of the United States Postal Inspection Service is to protect the U.S. Postal Service, its employees and its customers from criminal attack, and protect the nation’s mail system from criminal misuse. (Chicago, IL)
  

Disability Services

• Alzheimer's Association
  This association provides counsel and support, accurate information, and professional education. There are many support systems, including safety services such as a 24-hour toll-free emergency crisis line. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association provides a contact center with 24 hour, seven days a week providing information and referral to anyone with questions or concerns about memory problems, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease. The toll-free number is (800)… (Chicago, IL)
  
• Easter Seals
  This Nationwide organization represents families with disabilities. It provides services including after school programs, health and wellness centers, child development centers and early intervention. It also sends out a monthly newsletter with disability-related news. You can check the website for the office location nearest you. (Chicago, IL)
  

Fraud

• CharityWatch
  CharityWatch (formerly the American Institute of Philanthropy) is a nationally prominent charity watchdog service whose purpose is to help donors make informed giving decisions. (Chicago, IL)
  

Health Care

• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
  ABMS database provides certification information for doctors nationwide. (Chicago, IL)
  
• American Medical Association
  Features "Doctor Finder" database to help you find a doctor or check if your doctor's license is current. Also contains lots of health and fitness information for you and your family. (Chicago, IL)
  

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