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AARP, celebrating 40 years of
service to Americans of all ages, is the nation's leading
organization for people age 50 and older. It serves their
needs and interests through information and education,
advocacy and community services which are provided by
a network of local chapters and experienced volunteers
throughout the country. The organization also offers members
a wide range of special benefits and services, including
Modern Maturity magazine and the monthly Bulletin. |
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| Better
Business Bureaus (BBBs) are nonprofit organizations
supported primarily by local business members. The focus
of BBB activities is to promote an ethical marketplace
by encouraging honest advertising and selling practices,
and by providing alternative dispute resolution. BBBs
offer consumer education materials; answer consumer questions;
provide information about businesses, particularly whether
or not there are unanswered or unsettled complaints or
other marketplace problems; help to resolve buyer/seller
complaints; and provide information about charities and
other organizations that are seeking public donations.
You can access the BBB at www.bbb.org;
to obtain business and charity reports, to file a complaint
about a company or charity, or to view scam alerts and information
about BBB locations and programs. The BBBOnLine web
site, www.bbbonline.org; provides information
about online merchants that participate in BBB programs
to promote consumer confidence on the Internet. |
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Since
1968, the Consumer
Federation of America (CFA) has provided consumers
a well-reasoned and articulate voice in decisions that
affect their lives. Day in and out, CFA's professional
staff gathers facts, analyzes issues, and disseminates
information to the public, legislators, and regulators.
CFA is first and foremost an advocacy organization, working
to advance pro-consumer policy on a variety of issues
before Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory
agencies, and the courts. Its staff works with public
officials to promote beneficial policies, to oppose harmful
policies, and to ensure a balanced debate on important
issues in which consumers have
a stake.
CFA is also an educational organization, disseminating
information on consumer issues to the public and the media,
as well as to policy makers and other public interest
advocates. Conferences, reports, books, brochures, news
releases, a newsletter, and a web-site all contribute
to CFA's education program.
Finally, CFA is a membership organization, providing support
to national, state, and local organizations committed
to the goals of consumer advocacy and education. Most
member organizations are consumer advocacy and education
groups -- national, state, or local -- or consumer cooperatives
-- credit unions, rural electrics, housing co-ops, and
other member-owned service organizations. |
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The
Federal
Citizen Information Center serves as a trusted one-stop
source for answers to questions about consumer problems and
government services. FCIC’s "Pueblo, Colorado 81009"
is probably one of the best-known addresses in the country.
It's where you can write for the free Consumer Information
Catalog and hundreds of low cost Federal publications
on everything from your home and car to your health and financial
questions. You can also get answers to your questions
about the Federal Government and information to deal with
everyday consumer issue -- on the web and over the telephone.
On
the FCIC web site, you can view hundreds of publications,
find out about the latest product recalls and scams,
privacy resources, or read about emerging consumer issues
and topics. In addition, access the online edition of
the
Consumer Action Handbook, designed to help citizens find
the best and most direct source for assistance with their
consumer problems and questions.
Finally,
our National
Call Center serves as a single point of contact for individuals
with questions about Federal Agencies, programs and services.
Call 1-800-FED-INFO, that’s (1-800-333-4636) between 8 a.m.
to 8 p.m. EDT -- our staff can answer your questions about
all aspects of the Federal government or direct callers to
an appropriate contact.
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The Federal
Trade Commission is the nation's consumer protection champion.
The FTC works For The Consumer to prevent fraud, deception
and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide
the information you need to identify and avoid fraud and deception.
The FTC publishes
free brochures on a variety of consumer related issues. For
a complete list of publications go
to www.ftc.gov
and click on Consumer Protection, call 1-877-FTC-HELP
(382-4357); TDD (202) 326-2502,
or write for Best Sellers,
Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission,
Washington, DC 20580.
Consumer who have
been the victim of fraud or deception may file a complaint
online with the FTC at www.ftc.gov,
or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. Although
the Commission cannot resolve individual disputes, the information
you provide may indicate a pattern of possible law violations
requiring action by the Commission.
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| The
National Association of
Attorneys General (NAAG) counts among its members
the Attorneys General of the 50 states and the chief legal
officers of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths
of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the
territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
Attorneys General are the chief legal officers in their
respective states and serve as counselors for state government
agencies and the legislature and as representatives of
the public interest. It is often said that Attorneys General
occupy the intersection of law and public policy, dealing
in areas as diverse consumer protection, drug policy,
and environmental protection. Through NAAG, Attorneys
General are drawn together to work collectively on legal
and public policy issues of common concern. |
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NACAA works aggressively
to support and promote the public agencies responsible for
ensuring an equitable and informed marketplace. It fosters
a forum for lively exchange on the issues of the day,
advances consumer education, and promotes equity in
relationships between consumers and businesses.
Today, with a quarter century of results behind it, NACAA
focuses on emerging consumer issues in North America and
around the globe. NACAA members exchange creative new
approaches to consumer education. Through dialogue and
advocacy, they help formulate and modify consumer laws,
policies and regulations. NACAA helps its members meet the
challenges posed by new technologies and develop effective
methods for reaching a changing population.
To assist the consumer, NACAA’s website provides consumer
education tips and information about filing a complaint
with state consumer protection and other government
officials. |
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| The
National Consumers League,
founded in 1899, is America's oldest nonprofit consumer
organization. Dedicated to promoting fairness in the workplace
and the marketplace, NCL's three-pronged approach of research,
education and advocacy has made it an effective representative
and source of information for consumers and workers. NCL
offers educational materials on a wide variety of subjects,
including child labor, credit, electronic commerce, food
and drug safety, protecting the environment, and telecommunications.
NCL also operates the National
Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch
programs, which provide advice about telemarketing and
Internet fraud and relay information from consumers about
suspected telemarketing and Internet fraud to law enforcement
agencies. |
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| Founded
by Benjamin Franklin, the United States Postal Inspection
Service is one of our country's oldest federal law
enforcement agencies. The United States Postal Inspection
Service has a long, proud and successful history of fighting
criminals who attack our nation's postal system and misuse
it to defraud, endanger or otherwise threaten the American
public. As the law enforcement arm of the United States
Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is
tasked with the enforcement of over 200 federal laws covering
investigations of crimes that adversely affect or fraudulently
use the U.S. Mail and postal system. |
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| The
United States Postal Service
(USPS) is an independent agency of the U.S. Government.
Created in 1775 as the Post Office Department, with Benjamin
Franklin as the first Postmaster General, it is the second
oldest department of the United States of America. Handling
650 million pieces of mail a day, the Postal Service provides
mail service in the United States to virtually everyone,
everywhere, everyday, with regular service six days a
week and Express Mail service on Sunday. USPS also serves
7 million retail customers a day through a retail network
of more than 38,000 post offices. |
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