Research > Topics > Consumer Information

Consumer Information

General
Consumer protection
Automobiles
Charity

Financial
Health & safety
Home & household

Databases

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General

Consumer.gov: http://www.consumer.gov/

A "one-stop" link to a broad range of federal information resources available online. It is designed so that you can locate information by category -- such as Food, Product Safety, Your Money, and Transportation. Each category has subcategories to direct you to areas within individual federal websites containing related information.
Consumer Guide: http://cg.superpages.com/

Consumer Guide, on SuperPages.com provides expert product reviews for thousands of products, as well as guides for new and used cars.
Consumer Information Center: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/

Provides full text version of hundreds of federal consumer publications available from the U.S. General Services Administration Consumer Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado.
ConsumerSearch: http://www.consumersearch.com

Reviews of products organized by category such as Electronics, House & Home, Family or Office.
Consumer World: http://www.consumerworld.org/

Consumer World is a public service, non-commercial guide cataloging over 2000 of the most useful consumer resources on the Web.
Epinions.com: http://www.epinions.com

Offers reviews and comments from registered users of the site, and covers over 150,000 products and services to help you make better buying decisions.

Consumer protection

ABA LawInfo.org: http://abalawinfo.org/

The American Bar Association's gateway to information on legal topics that affect your daily life. Pages such as Your Family, Your Job, Your Finances, Buying and Selling ,The Courts, Criminal Justice, and Find a Lawyer provide links to useful advice and further information.
Better Business Bureau: http://www.bbb.org/

Contact information for your local bureau by zipcode, access to business and consumer alerts, business and charity reports and a way to file a complaint online.
Consumer Action: http://www.consumer-action.org/

A non-profit, membership-based organization. The site includes short informational documents on a variety of consumer subjects including Banking/Financial Services, Cars, Credit, Health Care/HMO, Investment, Privacy Rights, Telephone and others.
Direct Marketing Association Consumer Assistance: http://www.the-dma.org/consumers/

This site will provide you with information and tips about shopping and your rights as a consumer. The Direct Marketing Association (The DMA) is a trade association of businesses who advertise their products and services directly to consumers by mail, telephone, magazine, Internet, radio or television. There is also information for removing your name from mailing lists.
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Protection: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm

Each Consumer Information topic on this page leads to several succinct and useful documents that can be displayed in web-page or PDF format. Examples include Children's Issues, Identity Theft, and Telemarketing
Find-It! Consumer: http://finditconsumer.wa.gov/

A collaborative effort of Washington state organization sponsors and Washington State Library staff to make useful, quality consumer information easily available to the public through a website search engine for "one stop consumer help". By using keywords or browsing selected topics, one may search more than 100 consumer protection and public safety Web sites.
HoaxBusters: http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/

Built as a public service by the Computer Incident Advisory Capability division of the U.S. Department of Energy, this has information about Internet and e-mail hoaxes, an index, and a search engine where you can check to see if that e-mail message from your well-meaning friend is actually a hoax.
Internet Fraud Complaint Center: https://www.ifccfbi.gov/

A partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), IFCC's mission is to address fraud committed over the Internet, by providing a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of a suspected criminal or civil violation.
National Consumers League: http://www.natlconsumersleague.org/

"The National Consumers League works to protect and promote the economic and social interests of America's consumers, using education, research, science, investigation, publications, and the public and private sector to accomplish that mission." This website has links to stories and useful information for consumers.
Oregon "No Call" List: http://www.ornocall.com/

This site links to a form which can be printed and send with a fee to allow Oregon consumers to limit the number of calls they receive from telephone solicitors. Scroll to the bottom and choose Residential Telephone Subscribers. Then look for "Surface-Mailable Residential Registration Form" link.
PlanetFeedback: http://www.planetfeedback.com

Allows consumers to send e-mail feedback directly to companies. The site is free to use and provides company contact info, an e-mail letter generator, consumer news, storage space for correspondence, and other resources to empower consumers.
ScamBusters: http://www.scambusters.org/

An electronic magazine devoted to stopping spam (electronic junk mail), and alerting the public to online frauds and hazards. Most issues take on a single topic such as viruses, online auctions, identity theft, urban legends, or credit card fraud. Published irregularly, the newsletter is archived back to its beginning in 1995.

Automobiles

Car and Driver: http://www.caranddriver.com/

Buyers' guide covers automobiles manufactured in last two years and can be searched by manufacturer, vehicle type, price range and more.
Car Talk: http://www.cartalk.com/menus/info.html

Using down-home humor, this site gives you Actual Car Information on buying, selling, and owning a car.
CarInfo: http://carinfo.com/

Features Car Information provided by consumer advocate & auto expert Mark Eskeldson, author of What Car Dealers Don't Want You to Know. It includes car buying and leasing secrets, as well as information on used cars, car loans and insurance.
Edmunds Automobile Buyer's Guide: http://www.edmunds.com/

Used car prices back to 1990, safety information, and updates on new vehicles.
Fuel Economy: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency site which allows you to compare gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks. There are also gas mileage tips, a page to search for cheapest gas in your area, and a page of links to other sites about automobiles, safety, and the environment.
The Gold Book: http://www.manheimgold.com/

"The price authority for classic and collectible cars. Includes an interactive price guide where you enter the make or year and follow the prompts to get value based on condition. The site also promises an upcoming Car Club and Museum.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute: http://www.hwysafety.org/

Accident facts, results of crash tests, and news releases about safety for cars, drivers, and pedestrians.
Insurance News Network: http://www.insure.com/auto/index.html

Crash test results; auto thefts by model; automobile insurance advice and facts.
Kelley Blue Book: http://www.kbb.com/

Kelley Blue Book gives you timely and accurate prices on new and used cars.
LeaseSource: http://www.leasesource.com/

Everything you need to know about leasing an automobileon the Web, from Leasing Classroom with "Ask the Expert" and "Negotiating Pointers" to Matchmaker with "Find a Dealor/Lessor."
NADA Guides: http://www.nadaguides.com/

A place to find values and other resources for used cars, classic cars, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and manufactured homes
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

The U.S. Department of Transportation's safety site has information about recalls, crash tests, hot topics, and "Stuff for Kids."

Charity

Give.org: http://www.give.org/

This site, built by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations that are the subject of donor inquiries. The Alliance offers guidance to donors on making informed giving decisions through charity evaluations, various "tips" and giving information, and the quarterly Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide.
State of Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities: http://www.doj.state.or.us/ChariGroup/welcome2.htm

In addition to Tips and Guides, Filing a Complaint, and a How To section for Charities and Fundraisers, there is a search engine for the charities database. It provides information on charities from around the country on Total Revenue, Program Service Expense, Management Expense, Fund Raising Expense and Total Assets.

Financial

Annual Credit Report: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/

A Credit Report or credit file disclosure provides you with all of the information in your credit file that could be provided about you by a consumer reporting company to a third party, such as a lender. Oregonians are eligible to get three free credit reports a year thru this site!
Bank Rate Monitor: http://www.bankrate.com/

Rates for mortgages, auto loans, home equity loans, savings, credit cards, and checking accounts.
BenefitsCheckUp: http://www.bankrate.com/

A free service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans. You take 10 or 15 minutes to enter information about your financial situation into a confidential online questionnaire. Then, BenefitsCheckUp explains what benefit programs you may be eligible for and how to apply for them.
CardRatings.com: http://www.cardratings.com/

Built and maintained by the U.S. Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms, Inc. as an independent source of consumer information. This site collects information about low rate credit cards, cards for those seeking to establish credit, students, and for those who pay off their balance each month, and cards which offer rewards.
iFigure: http://www.ifigure.com/

iFigure provides links to online calculators and worksheets. These are interactive, educational tools that provide information to help in planning, solving and making decisions for a multitude of problems and tasks that come up daily, such as buying a home, checking on your health, or investing money.
Insurance Ratings: http://www.insure.com/ratings/

Provides consumers with letter-grade ratings for insurance companies from Standard & Poor's and Duff and Phelps Credit Rating. The ratings are based on the insurer's ability to pay policyholder claims.
Oregon Insurance Division Consumer Publications: http://www.cbs.state.or.us/ins/docs/pubs.htm

A variety of publications are available from the Oregon Insurance Division. You may view these publications on the Web site, or request a printed copy. The site and many of the publications are also available in Spanish.
The Motley Fool: http://www.fool.com/

A site giving advice on investing, major purchases, managing your portfolio and taxes.
SHOP : Credit Card Rates: http://www.bog.frb.fed.us/pubs/shop/

Infomation on how to choose a credit card and a survey of current credit card plans and rates.
State of Oregon Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection page: http://www.doj.state.or.us/FinFraud/welcome3.htm

Information, press releases, legal notices, as well as links, address and phone numbers of various state consumer agencies.

Health & safety

Buying Medical Products Online: http://www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/default.htm

A Food & Drug Administration site that gives advice on buying prescription or over-the-counter drugs online. There are "Tips and Warnings for Consumers," and information on FDA efforts to protect consumers who purchase medical products online.
Drugs@FDA: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/

A Catalog of FDA Approved Drug Products which can be searched by drug name or active ingredient.
FoodSafety.gov: http://www.foodsafety.gov/

This "Gateway to Government Food Safety Information" has buttons for such things as News & Safety Alerts, Consumer Advice, and Federal & State Gov't Agencies, among others. Selected Highlights on the main page might include topics such as Foot and Mouth Disease, or Food Safety for Seniors.
National Safety Council: http://nsc.org/

Online resources on Safety, Health & Environment from this nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization which has been working for generations to protect lives and promote health.

Home & household

Abby's Guide: http://www.abbysguide.com/

Helps you find out which household or consumer product is right for you and your family.
A Bell Tolls: http://www.abelltolls.com/

A central location for information on the telecommunications industry. Included are webpages of long distance carriers, information about the best rate plans, and some interesting tidbits about the industry.
CNET: http://www.cnet.com/

A source for reviews and commentary on technology. From cell phones to television, this site appears to cover just about everything electronic.
Construction Contractors Board: http://www.ccb.state.or.us/CCBHome.htm

The Construction Contractors Board (CCB) is an Oregon State agency that protects consumers by regulating construction contracting businesses. The page has links to Consumer Tips, Claims (where consumers can register complaints against contractors,) and Contractor Enquiry, among others.
Energy Conservation Tips: http://www.nwnatural.com/services/weatherization/conservation_tips.asp

These tips for saving energy in your home from Northwest Natural Gas could prove useful regardless of the energy source of your heat or water-heating systems.
Digital Camera HQ: http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/

This site enables you to compare owner and pro reviews, find the right digital camera, and buy from a selection of online retailers.
Energy Savers: http://www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/intro.html

This site, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, has information on insulation and weatherization, landscaping, appliances, and lots of other ways to save energy.
Greener Choices: http://www.eco-labels.org/greenconsumers/

Consumer Reports maintains this site to help consumers make more environmentally friendly product choices when shopping. There are pages of advice on Autos, Appliances, Home & garden, Electronics, and Food.
HomePath: Your On-line Path to a Home of Your Own: http://www.homepath.com/

Fannie Mae site to help you with buying or refinancing a home.
Household Products Database: http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/

What's under your kitchen sink, in your garage, in your bathroom, and on the shelves in your laundry room? Learn more about what's in these products, about potential health effects, and about safety and handling on this site from the National Institutes of Health.
Landlord-Tenant Law for Oregon: http://www.osbar.org/public/legalinfo/tenant.html

Designed to help answer some of your questions about landlord and tenant law. "Please remember that the law is always changing through actions of the courts and the Legislature."
LiveManuals: http://www.livemanuals.com/

Features a search box for product manuals, simulations, and support. It is also possible to register and store all of your model numbers and warranty information for future reference.
Oregon Energy Tax Credit Program: http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/RETC.shtml

This site tells you how to get a credit on your Oregon income taxes for making your home more energy-efficient and helping preserve Oregon's environment. Tax credits are available for such things as energy efficient appliances, heating, and alternative fuel vehicles. Instructions and applications are included.
RepairClinic.com: http://www.repairclinic.com/0003.asp

An online source of appliance parts and repair help, this site gives advice, has a maintenance calendar, and sells parts and some repair manuals.

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