Use these resources to find information about a product, how to file a complaint, the inside “scoop” on suspected scams, or enlightenment about the construction of a roof.

The materials fall into two broad categories: Government aid and Private help.
 

Government Web Sites

Indiana.gov - Consumer Services
Indiana’s No. 1 consumer-assistance website. The Attorney General’s site provides direct access to IndianaConsumer.com, Telephone Privacy, Medicaid Fraud Control, and others.

Indiana Pro Bono Commission
Indiana’s Pro Bono Commission site allows consumers to locate a Pro Bono attorney for civil cases in Indiana.

Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission. Click on the tab titled Consumer Protection for an entire sub-website that provides information on numerous topics, and shows you how to file a complaint.

Medline Plus
This is virtually an online medical encyclopedia of all things medicine that the consumer needs to know. Spnsored by National Institutes of Health and the US National Library of Medicine.

SaferCar.gov
Safety reports, safe driving tips, defects and recalls.

GovLoans.gov
Five Federal agencies pooled resources to create this site, with information on obtaining various kinds of Federal loans.

Recalls.gov
Six Federal agencies pooled resources to create this site for product recalls.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Home-buying advice from HUD.

FCC
Federal Communications Commission site for consumers. Rules and Regs, how to interpret bills, how to register complaints.

 

Other Web Sites

Non-governmental sites range from those dedicated to exposing frauds or scams to product evaluations to ones which allow a consumer to register a complaint.

Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau site will let you locate the nearest BBB office, and tell you how to register a complaint.

Caller Complaints
An independent site at which consumers register their own complaints about unwanted phone calls. You can look up a number from which you’ve received calls, and see whether other people have received them, too, and can provide more information about the callers.

Consumer Guide Automotive
The leading online consumer-focused, trusted resource for authoritative and objective reports on new and used vehicles.
 

Consumer Research
This site reviews hundreds of product reviews, analyzes them, and recommends which products are the best.

Fraud.org
Fraud-fighting site of the National Consumers League. Advice and forum for complaints.

Snopes
The Urban-Legend-expose site has a category for Frauds & Scams. Explains what is really going on!

Scambusters
Alerts consumers to on-line frauds, hazards, and scams.

The Red Tape Chronicles
This reporter’s blog is an “effort to unmask these 21st Century headaches and offer real solutions” to Corporate sneakiness, Government waste, and Outright scams.

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
A non-profit, consumer information and advocacy organization dedicated to the attempt to preserve privacy. Has stories and information on privacy rights and debt collection, among others.

Sound & Vision Magazine
A kind of “Consumers Report” for sound and a/v equipment and materials. Reviews new releases of CD’s and DVD’s.

Popular Mechanics
Site maintained by the magazine. The “Home Journal” section has reviews of tools and materials, explanations of how parts of a house are constructed, and how-to tips.

NADA Guides and edmunds.com
These two sites will give estimates of used car (and truck) values as well as new vehicles.

Annual Credit Report
You can get a free credit report each 12 months from one of 3 credit report companies. But be careful! Each site offers you the opportunity for more in-depth reports, for a fee.

 

Library Resources

The Vigo County Public Library has several consumer resources. We keep Consumer Reports (for all-product coverage) in the Reference Room, and also Consumer Guide (for automobile information).

Our website has access to other product reviews. Check our databases section for “General Reference Center Gold”. Enter the type of product or even a specific brand name---be sure to check the box for “full text”, so you will get complete articles. When the database displays multiple choices, click on the Subdivision for “Evaluation”. This indexes many more magazines than “Consumer Reports”.

Finally, our catalog will bring up many books—and some videos—if you enter “Consumer Education” and choose “Subject”. This brought up over a hundred items when last tried!