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Tips on: Before You Buy | After You Buy | Cars | Education | Employment | Food and Nutrition | Health
Housing | Insurance | Money and Credit | Investing | Privacy | Shopping at Home | Travel | Utilities
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Useful addresses, phone numbers, and websites
Button image linking to the Corporate Consumer Contacts listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the Car Manufacturers and Dispute Resolution Programs listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to State, County, and City Government Consumer Protection Offices listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the State Banking Authorities listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the State Insurance Regulators listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the State Securities Administrators listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the State Utilities Commissions listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the State Weights and Measures Offices listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the Selected Federal Agencies listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the Better Business Bureaus listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the National Consumer Organizations listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the Trade and Professional Associations listed in the FCIC Handbook.
Button image linking to the U.S. Military Consumer Services Programs and Commissary and Exchange Offices listed in the FCIC Handbook.


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Now based on the 2004 version of the Consumer Action Handbook!

For Specialized Audiences

For Consumers with Disabilities.

Página Web de Acción para los Consumidores

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Before You Buy This section contains general advice on steps to take when shopping for goods or services, warnings on what to watch out for, and specific information on how to shop for certain major items such as cars, credit and home improvements. Follow the suggestions and use the resources listed in this section when you're considering a purchase and want to make the best buy.
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After You Buy Use this section if you have a problem after making a purchase, including finding legal advice or getting help from the media. Follow the form of the sample complaint letter to present your complaint most effectively.

Filing a Complaint In addition to the resources listed in the handbook, we've compiled a list of Federal Agencies where you can document a complaint against a company.

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Consumer Assistance Directory Check here to find the most appropriate place(s) to file your complaint or ask a question. This section provides individual names, addresses, telephone numbers, TDD/TTY and fax numbers, e-mail addresses, and web sites for contacts in consumer organizations, corporations, trade associations, and government agencies at the city, county, state and Federal level. These sites have a "contact us" button to provide another way to send your message directly to the company or agency.
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Image of red button reading Help We need your help and want your feedback. Help keep the Handbook up-to-date and user-friendly. Please e-mail changes or comments to

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If your school or organization could use multiple copies of the Consumer Action Handbook, please email us at or call 1-888-878-3256.

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Select one of the following links for the format you wish to view.

.pdf        .txt

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This service is provided by the Federal Citizen Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration. If you have a comment or question, e-mail