The Fine Print – Read It Consumer Basics The Fine Print – Read It What the ad giveth, the fine print is not supposed to taketh away.
Sweepstakes & Prizes Consumer Basics Sweepstakes & Prizes Sweepstakes and lotteries may be scams in disguise.
Food and Drug Administration Consumer Basics Food and Drug Administration The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency that is responsible for protecting public health through regulation and supervision of several different types of products, including food…
U.S. Postal Inspection Service Consumer Basics U.S. Postal Inspection Service Among its many responsibilities, the USPIS enforces the laws regarding illegal or dangerous use of the mail system and conducts investigations (sometimes in conjunction with other federal agencies, like the…
Bait & Switch Advertising Consumer Basics Bait & Switch Advertising Advertised deals get consumers in the door but not necessarily the price or product they wanted.
Service Contracts and Extended Warranties Resources Service Contracts and Extended Warranties Is it worth it to pay extra for that extended warranty?
Who Can You Complain to at the Federal Level? Consumer Basics Who Can You Complain to at the Federal Level? A topic-by-topic list of federal agencies that deal with deceptive advertising.
Free Doesn’t Usually Mean Free Consumer Basics Free Doesn’t Usually Mean Free There’s lots of strings attached to offers of free products and services.
Product Placement Consumer Basics Product Placement Products that pop up in movies and television shows are often there for specific advertising reasons.
What Does Made in the USA Really Mean? Consumer Basics What Does Made in the USA Really Mean? When does a product truly meet the requirements for a Made in USA label?
What to Know about Negative-Option Offers Consumer Basics What to Know about Negative-Option Offers Risk free trials may lead to repeated, unwanted charges to your credit card.
Better Business Bureau Consumer Basics Better Business Bureau The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is made up of several local chapters in the United States and Canada that all work through their parent corporation, the Council of Better Business…
U.S. Department of Justice Consumer Basics U.S. Department of Justice The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which is led by the Attorney General, is the federal executive department responsible for enforcing federal laws. Among other things, it works with other…
Econsumer.gov Consumer Basics Econsumer.gov Econsumer.gov, which was established in 2001, is a website where consumers can file complaints about online and related transactions with foreign companies.