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CONSUMER EDUCATION & PROTECTION

This guide examines consumer education and consumer protection sites for the following: “gateways” to comprehensive resources, professional associations/organizations dealing with consumerism, federal/state agencies, recall information, general anti-fraud issues. Single issue/topical sites are not addressed here (except when an issue/topic is a component of a “gateway” site).


Better Business Bureau

•  “Since the founding of the first BBB in 1912, the BBB system has proven that the majority of marketplace problems can be solved fairly through the use of voluntary self-regulation and consumer education”
•   Facilitates the process of rectifying consumer complaints by providing objective information on a business or charity’s status in regards to its reputation in the marketplace
•   Offers a national database where consumers can access “Reliability Reports” on a company’s “track record” in matters pertaining to consumer issues
•   “National Charity Reports Index” monitors financing and fundraising activities of charities and other non-profits
•   Provides online complaint service for consumers; BBB will attempt to mediate a resolution of the problem
•   Includes a national directory of BBB local affiliates
•   Also includes information on BBB membership, news, consumer advice on e-commerce issues, dispute resolution; also provides information on “Advertising Self Regulation” (for businesses)
•   Outstanding; the most well-known and one of the best site’s for investigating a company’s (or charity’s) ethical “track record” in dealing with consumers


BUBL LINK: Consumer Advice

•   Links to consumer-oriented pages (primarily gateways, alerts/recalls, food safety)
•   Links are annotated; includes a description of contents, author/sponsoring body, resource type
•   International in scope, but primarily U.K. and U.S.A.
•   Not extensive, but sites are high quality; a great place for beginning research


Consumer Information: Online Reference Resources

•   Maintained by Stella Herzig for the O’Keefe Library, St. Ambrose University
•   Part of the “Best Information on the Web” series
•   Links to over 30 sites for general consumer education guides, government agencies, professional associations/organizations; also includes a limited number of links to topic-specific sites
•   Short annotations accompany links
•   Not extensive, but does an excellent job of covering some of the most well-known, useful sites; great place to begin research


Consumer Reports

•   Sponsored by the Consumer’s Union of the U.S., Inc.
•   Provides thousands of excellent ratings, recommendations and reviews for 9 categories of consumer products/service in the U.S. and Canada
•   Sitemap links to product safety issues, recalls, manufacturers’ contact information
•   Searchable
•   Includes information on CR’s initiatives, programs, publications, resources, services
•   Some content is available only to subscribers, but there is an extraordinary amount of consumer information available at no charge
•   Outstanding; one of the oldest and most authoritative consumer organizations in the country and a pioneer in developing consumer affairs issues and resources


Consumer Resources

•   Maintained by Richard H. Robbins, Department of Anthropology, State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh
•   This sub-page supports Robbins’ course “Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism”
•   Examines the role of consumerism in the world economy, with an emphasis on the U.S; links to sites are primarily concerned with the cultural role of advertising and marketing; approximately 40% of site links are to consumer education/protection gateways and advocacy organizations
•   Excellent annotations
•   Outstanding, both for its analytical insights and links to practical information


Consumer Rights & Protection Topic Area

•  Part of the ‘Lectric Law Library Lawcopedia (LLLL)
•   “General Information” section utilizes scenarios for dealing with a wide variety of consumer legal problems, both common (bankruptcy, credit complaints, debt collection) and not so common (diet programs, unordered merchandise, vehicle repossession)
•   “Swindles, Scams & Ripoffs” provides advice on avoiding over 40 types of scams
•  Much of the advice discussed here originated in publications from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
•  Includes commercial sites
•  Links to other LLLL pages for other legal topics
•  Excellent resource for guidance on consumer protection and fraud prevention issues


Consumer World (CW)

•  Created and maintained by Edgar Dvorsky, consumer advocate/attorney/educator
•   “A public service, non-commercial guide with over 2,000 of the most useful consumer resources”
•   inks to consumer “gateways,” government consumer information, consumer-oriented sites, product/service comparisons/ratings, finance/credit information, buying/shopping advice
•   “Consumer Agencies & Organizations” provides an excellent directory of links to federal/state/local government agencies, and professional associations/organizations
•   Consumer World Blog” updated daily
•   Free weekly e-mail newsletter available
•   Searchable
•   Outstanding; CW is one of the top consumer-oriented meta-sites (and probably the most comprehensive) meta-sites currently available; easy-to-navigate


ConsumerSearch.com

•   “Reviewing the Reviews”
•   “Designed to be the best starting place for any consumer aiming to research purchase decisions”
•   Primary function is the analysis/rating of reviews of hundreds of products/services in 13 consumer categories
•   Products/services are evaluated on the following levels: “Fast Answers” offers brief reviews; “The Full Story” provides in-depth analysis of a product/service site; “All the Reviews” offers critical commentary on the reviews themselves
•   “Where to Buy” provides contact information on where a product/service can be purchased
•   FAQ section and “About ConsumerSearch” offer useful tips on the best utilization of the site
•   Updated weekly
•   Searchable
•   Outstanding; one of the best resources for locating balanced/objective reviews of consumer products/services


Consumers International (CI)

•   Founded in 1960, CI is “… an independent, non-profit organization … not aligned with or supported by any political party or industry”
•   “Links and represents consumer groups and agencies all over the world; … with a membership of over 250 organizations in 115 countries”
•   Conducts “Campaigns and Programmes” in the following consumer categories of international concern: food, trade/economics, public utilities, health, environment, consumer education, technical standards, consumer protection/law, e-commerce, corporate social responsibility
•   Serves as a clearinghouse for international consumer efforts, initiatives, and co-operative ventures
•   “Regional and International Representation” in many international economic/trade organizations and United Nations agencies
•   Outstanding; best online resource for information on consumer rights and co-operative action from around the world


Crimes of Persuasion: Schemes, Scams, Frauds

•   Maintained by Les Henderson, consumer affairs consultant
•   Browsable directory of sites for offline, online and white collar fraudulent operations which prey on consumers
•   Provides advice and information on dealing with e-mail scams, bank fraud, sweepstakes, senior-oriented scams, charities’ fraud, home renovation schemes, fraudulent mail-orders, and many other disreputable and illegal consumer crimes
•   Includes FAQ feature, ability to send “Victims’ Statements” to the site’s “Forum”
•   Links to extensive consumer fraud gateways/sites
•   Includes information on ordering Henderson’s companion volume to the site
•   Outstanding; one of the best sources for up-to-date information on a wide variety of consumer “schemes, scams, frauds”


Epinions.com

•   Sponsored by Shopping.com
•   “A premier consumer reviews platform on the Web and a reliable source for valuable consumer insight, unbiased advice, in-depth product evaluations and personalized recommendations”
•   Provides commentary/opinions/reviews from member users in 12 categories of consumer products/services
•   Also links to buyer’s guides and product reviews from other consumer organizations
•   Outstanding; this is a great resource for anyone wanting to access what other consumers have to say about products/services


Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC)

•   Sponsored by the U.S. General Services Administration
•   “Provides the answer to questions about the Federal Government and everyday consumer issues whether citizens write, call or log on”
•   Arranged under 15 categories, this site provides online access to hundreds of free consumer pamphlets from the “Consumer Information Catalog;” additional pamphlets are available for modest fees
•   “Consumer Action Handbook” (2005 ed.) is a free guide with consumer advice/tips, news, and contact information for filing complaints with consumer associations/organizations, Better Business Bureaus, corporations, government agencies (local, county, state)
•   Extensive links to federal agencies which deal with consumer issues/services
•   Issues “Scam and Fraud” alerts
•   Searchable
•   Complements “FirstGov for Consumers”, “Federal Trade Commission for Consumers”
•   Outstanding; since its inception in 1970, FCIC has been one of the premier federal resources for consumer information from the federal government and private resources as well


Federal Trade Commission for the Consumer (FTCC)

•   On this sub-page of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “you’ll find advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs, as well as tips on other consumer topics”
•   Browsable directory for 16 consumer products/services categories, including health, finance, energy, privacy
•   Each category links to a variety of resources, including articles, websites, government agencies, professional associations/organizations
•   Includes information on “Hot Topics,” FTC publications
•   lso in Spanish
•   Complements “Federal Citizen Information Center,” “FirstGov for Consumers”
•   Excellent; another great federal resource for consumer education/protection


Find-It! Consumer

•   “Find-It! Consumer is a collaborative effort of state organization sponsors and Washington State Library staff”
•   “U.S. Consumer” links to over 100 sites for the federal government and “national non-profit groups”
•   “WAConsumer” links to Washington state government agencies and the state’s “Better Business Bureaus”
•   “Topics of Interest” is a browsable directory of several hundred sites for 42 consumer product/services categories
•   “What’s New” provides information/updates on current consumer issues
•   “We don’t link to any commercial sites”
•   Does not include product/service reviews
•   Searchable
•   Outstanding; great example of a state-sponsored consumer education/protection site


FirstGov for Consumers

•   This site – the collaborative effort of over 180 federal agencies, departments and institutes – attempts to provide “one-stop shopping” for consumer information provided by the federal government
•   Links to each participating agency/department/institute; includes an annotation which describes its “protection responsibilities”
•   Links to consumer information for the following categories: food, product safety, health, home/community, money, transportation, children, careers/education, technology
•   Includes “Scam Alert” and “In the Spotlight” (consumer news updates and product recall alerts)
•   Searchable
•   Complements “Federal Citizen Information Center,” “Federal Trade Commission for Consumers”
•   Outstanding; excellent “gateway” to the federal government’s online consumer resources


Free Advice

•   Discusses over 100 legal topics on a wide variety of legal issues, including the following consumer-oriented topics: “accidents/injuries/damages,” bankruptcy, immigration
•   Each topic includes a FAQ feature and definition of terms pertinent to the topic at hand
•   Includes attorney locater service, downloadable legal forms, “Law Forums” (online legal questions)
•   This site includes many commercial links; however, it provides useful background information for anyone researching the legal aspects of consumer-oriented issues/topics


How Americans Can Buy American

•   Maintained by Roger Simmermaker
•   Provides articles/analysis and news regarding the economic impact of imports on the American economy; includes suggestions on ways to support American-made products
•   “Links” access websites of American companies and their products
•   Provides information on ordering Simmermaker’s book How Americans Can Buy American; The Power of Consumer Patriotism
•   xcellent resource for consumers interested in “buying American”


National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)

•   “The nation’s consumer law expert, helping consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers to use powerful and complex consumer laws to assure justice for vulnerable, low income Americans”
•   “Initiatives for Consumer Justice” provides information for 18 consumer topics, with an emphasis on issues which impact on low-income and senior citizens (energy/utilities), predatory mortgages, credit discrimination, etc.
•   Each initiative consists of NCLC articles on the topic, information from other pertinent associations/organizations, legislative updates, news
•   Links to over 140 sites for general legal and general consumer associations/organizations, legal services/resource centers, travel law, retail law, federal agencies
•   ncludes information on NCLC’s policies, programs, conferences/training, services
•   Outstanding; the best site currently available for all aspects of general/specific consumer law information


NSF International (NSFI)

•   Established in 1944 and currently operating in 80 countries, NSFI is “a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization” which claims to be “the world leader in standards development, product certification, education, and risk-management for public health and safety”
•   Focuses its research efforts on water quality, air quality, indoor air quality and other environmental concerns
•   Provides information on NSFI’s initiatives in certification/training; outlines its services for consumers, regulatory agencies, and businesses; primary focus is on North America, with a limited focus on an international basis
•   Searchable
•   Outstanding; one of the first sites to go to for product certification/testing information on environmental/public health issues


Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (PRC)

•   “A non-profit consumer organization with a two-part mission – consumer information and consumer advocacy”
•   Founded in 1992 by Beth Givens, this is one of the first and foremost privacy rights websites on the Internet
•   “Fact Sheets” outline procedures for dealing with a wide variety of privacy issues, including consumer issues (identity theft, internet privacy, medical records, telecommunications)
•   Each “Fact Sheet” offers extensive practical advice for the issue at hand; explains often-complex issues in clear language accessible to the layman
•   “Fact Sheets” are also available in Spanish (“Paginas Informativas”)
•   Includes FAQ feature and information on maximizing the use of the site for consumers, reporters/media, legislators/policymakers
•   Searchable
•   lso includes information on PRC’s initiatives, programs, policies, resources, services
•   Outstanding; this is one of the first sites to turn to for information for privacy issues; one of the best sites of its kind currently available


Public Citizen (PC)

•   Founded by consumer advocate Ralph Nader, Public Citizen is “… a national, nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 to represent consumer interests in Congress, the executive branch and the courts”
•   “Does not accept funds from corporations, professional organizations or the government”
•   Concentrates on analysis/commentary/news on a variety of consumer issues, with a special emphasis on product safety, health/medicine, the environment, governmental oversight
•   Includes information on PC’s initiatives, membership, projects, publications, resources, services
•   This site is constantly updated and timely; for example, a recent initiative is PC’s drug safety website (www.worstpills.org)
•   E-mail alerts are available; also includes “Key Votes in Congress,” which tracks voting records of representatives and senators
•   or the best means of utilizing the site to its full potential, use the “Site Map”
•   Outstanding; one of the pioneer organizations of the consumers’ rights movement, CR includes extensive, in-depth coverage of consumer issues and the federal and executive actions which impact them


Recall Warnings

•   Sponsored by Nolo Law Books
•   Provides product recall information on 10 product categories, which include hundreds of specific product types and thousands of products
•   Each recall alert includes the following: product name, units produced, manufacturer, “Sold At” (retail locations), hazard/problem, injuries/incidents, suggested consumer response remedy (“What to Do”)
•   rowse recalls by date from the following federal agencies: Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
•   Extensive archives of recall reviews, especially for auto recalls
•   Free e-mail recall/safety alerts available
•   Searchable
•   Updated frequently
•   Includes information on products/publications from Nolo Law Books
•   omplements “Recalls.gov”
•   utstanding; excellent resource for in-depth information on recalled products


Recalls.gov

•   This federal website concentrates product recall information from six federal agencies concerned with consumer product safety
•   Provides recall alerts/information for the following: consumer goods, motor vehicles, food, medicine, boats, cosmetics, environmental products
•   Several of the agencies provide e-mail alert updates
•   Includes feature for reporting hazardous products
•   Also in Spanish
•   Updated frequently
•   Complements “Recall Warnings” (see above)
•   Outstanding resource for accessing federal government recall information in one place – a “one stop shop”


Scambusters.org

•   Maintained by Jim and Audri Lanford, this e-zine is a “lively, entertaining and opinionated approach to protecting yourself online and offline”
•   Provides a multitude of anti-fraud and consumer protection links to combat all types of fraud
•   Currently archives over 130 issues from 1995 through the present
•   Free subscription (includes newsletter)
•   Includes commercial sites
•   Outstanding; one of the best anti-fraud sites on the Web


Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL)

•   “An independent, not-for-profit product-safety testing and certification organization”
•   “We’ve tested products for public safety for more than a century”
•   Provides information on UL’s services/requirements for clients, industries, regulators, retailers, consumers, media
•   “Consumers” includes extensive information on product safety tips for home, office and age-specific consumer populations
•   ncludes information on UL’s initiatives, programs, resources, services
•   ncludes FAQ feature
•   Searchable
•   Outstanding resource for information on product safety


Websites discussed on this page are for informational purposes only. Johnson & Wales University Library is not responsible for the accuracy, content, or stability of any websites linked to this page. When in need of legal, medical or nutritional advice, consult a professional.

Compiled by Rick Keogh 9/00; updated 5/05; links last checked 12/07

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