Consumer Resources on the Internet
March 05, 2003
by the staff,
General Reference Service, Mid-Manhattan Library
Resources for New Yorkers
New York City Agencies
New York City Government -- Contact information for key figures of the city's administration, including officials, heads of city agencies, boards, authorities, and other entities.
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs -- The DCA's web site includes information about the agency's services for consumers and business owners; access to DCA publications as pdf files; information on consumer protection laws; an online form for filing a complaint against a vendor.
The Public Advocate for the City of New York -- An elected official, the Public Advocate is every New Yorker's Ombudsperson, or representative, to city government. The PA's official web site includes information about city services; how to contact city agencies and officials; news and resources for NYC residents
New York State Agencies
New York State Consumer Protection Board -- Among the useful information and links provided on this web site is the Consumer Law Help Manual, a compendium of legal information relevant to consumers, organized by topic.
Office of NYS Attorney General - Consumer Issues -- The web site of the Office of the New York State Attorney General has a page devoted to consumer issues, containing tips on various consumer topics. It also includes:
Nonprofit Organizations
The Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York -- Use the BBB's web site to obtain a reliability report on a business or charity, file a complaint online, or learn more about BBB membership.
Selected general resources
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety -- Advocates is "an alliance of consumer, health and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America's roads safer." Their web site provides updates on highway and safety laws for each state in the U.S., as well as relevant reports and statistics.
Chicago Public Library's Internet Resources for Consumer Information -- The Chicago Public Library's compilation of Internet resources for consumer information.
Consumer World -- A catalogue of hundreds of consumer resources on the Internet, including a directory of federal, state and local consumer agencies, international organizations, and better business bureaus. It also includes a directory of companies with their customer service and complaint departments' telephone numbers.
Federal Citizen Information Center -- The official web site of the FCIC (formerly the Federal Information Center and Citizen Information Center, now merged). Among other resources, you will find the Consumer Information Catalog, a regularly updated list of consumer publications that are available from the U. S. Government Printing Office.
FindLaw.com -- A comprehensive source for all kinds of information on issues of law and counsel. Using this site, you may search the U.S. federal, state, and local codes (click on the link that says LAWS: CASES & CODES), and even find a lawyer.
The Internet Consumer Recycling Guide -- Links to guides and resources on information about household recycling in the USA and Canada.
National Fraud Information Center -- This web site is run by the National Fraud Information Center and the Internet Fraud Watch, which are projects of the National Consumers League, the "oldest nonprofit consumer organization in the United States." Here you will find tips on how to protect yourself from Internet and telemarketing frauds, and how to report an incidence of fraud. The web site also includes fraud statistics and trends.
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency - Recycling Information -- Maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this web site provides information about the recycling process, relevant facts and figures, and access to publications on recycling, available as pdf files.
