Family Economic Security 

Consumer Fraud, Rights and Protection

Wisconsin

FE101 Lesson

Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Consumer Protection
Includes consumer information and how to make a complaint, alerts and recalls, and more.

Wisconsin Dept. of Justice (DOJ): Office of Consumer Protection
How to file a complaint and fact sheets on common consumer problems.

Wisconsin Dept. of Justice (DOJ): Hotlines and Helplines
Contact information.

Consumer Help

Better Business Bureau Online
Consumer tips for shopping online and online complaint forms.

Consumer Action
Marketplace education and advocacy for the consumer. Many publications in multiple languages.

Consumer Action Handbook
"148 pages of valuable information that no consumer should be without. It provides advice and consumer tips on: car repair, purchase, and leasing; shopping from home; avoiding consumer and investment
fraud; home improvement and financing; choosing and using credit cards wisely; and much more." Includes a Consumer Assistance Directory with valuable contact information. From FCIC.

Consumer World
Great site for consumer resources--from price comparing and buying guides, to cars, health, housing, government and corporate information for consumers.

Direct Marketing Association: Consumer Assistance
Information and tips about shopping and your rights as a consumer. Includes how to get your name off telephone, mail and e-mail marketing lists.

Federal Consumer Information Center (FCIC)
A "one-stop source for answers to questions about consumer problems and
government services." Many useful publications and links.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Has online complaint forms. Good source of information on consumer protection and privacy issues

Fraud

Fraud Bureau
"A free service, established to alert online consumers and investors of prior complaints relating to online vendors including sellers at online auctions and to provide consumers, investors and users with information and news on how to safely surf, shop and invest on the net."

National Fraud Information Center
Telemarketing and Internet fraud center from the National Consumers League.

Privacy

Consumer Action News Special Privacy Issue
Includes how to opt out with sample letter on notifying institutions not to share your information. Public safety vs privacy, and public records on the web as privacy violations are also discussed in this July 2001 issue.

Electronic Privacy Information Center
A public research interest group to "focus public attention on emerging civil liberties issues and to protect privacy, the First Amendment, and constitutional values."

Junkbusters
Site to help stop junk messages.

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
"A nonprofit consumer education, research, and advocacy program. Our publications empower you to take action to control your personal information by providing practical tips on privacy protection." Much on identity theft and financial privacy. Fact sheets in English and Spanish.