2001 Consumer Action Handbook

The Federal Consumer Information Center of the United States General Services Administration presents the full text of the "2001 Consumer Action Handbook." The handbook covers such areas as car repair and buying, money and credit, health care, shopping from home, identity theft, travel tips, and consumer assistance contacts.

Part 1, Before You Buy -- advice on steps to take when shopping for goods or services, warnings on what to watch out for, and specific info. on how to shop for major items such as cars, credit and home improve. Part 2, After You Buy -- turn to this section if you have a problem after making a purchase, incl.: finding legal advice or getting help from the media. Sample complaint letter included. Part 3, Consumer Assist. Dir.: find the place to file your complaint or ask a question. Provides names, addresses, tele. no., fax no., e-mail, and web sites for contacts in consumer org., corp., trade assoc., and gov't. agencies at the city, county, state and Fed. level.

Use this guide to get help with consumer purchases, problems and complaints. Find consumer contacts at hundreds of companies and trade associations; local, state, and federal government agencies; national consumer organizations; and more.

The 2015 Consumer Action is a resource to help consumers protect themselves in the marketplace. this resource is filled with practical tips to help people know their rights, plan a purchase, or file a complaint. The Handbook features a sample complaint letter that you can download and a comprehensive directory to help you locate corporate and governmental consumer affairs offices. The Handbook has information to help you file a complaint about a purchase and includes a sample complaint letter that you can use and send to a company. It also includes a consumer assistance directory, with contact information for consumer protection offices in government agencies, and customer service departments at many national corporations.

Contents: Part I: Be a Savvy Consumer: General Buying Tips; Banking; Cars; Credit; Education; Employment; Food and Nutrition; Healthcare; Housing Insurance; Internet; Investing; Phones; Protect Your Identity; Protect Your Privacy; Shopping from Home; Telemarketing and Unwanted Mail; Travel; TV; Utilities; Wills and Funerals; Part II: Filing a Complaint: Contact the Seller; Contact Third Parties; Report Fraud and Safety Hazard; Sample Complaint Letter; Part III: Key Consumer Resources; Part IV: Consumer Assistance Directory. Illustrations.