Easy Guide To Helpful Websites

Consumer Advice

Search here If you ever want to know where to go for help with consumer issues. These would include complaints about various businesses, government programs, credit bureaus, or public organizations that you deal with on a daily basis, tips on purchasing consumer products, or to report a complaint about telephone solicitations.

St. Louis Area Local Resources
  • Better Business Bureau. To check out the REPUTATION OF A BUSINESS, file a COMPLAINT against a business or learn CONSUMER TIPS.
    http://www.bbb.org/

  • The Citizens' Service Bureau. is the customer service department for the City of St. Louis. Citizens may contact the Citizens' Service Bureau to register COMPLAINTS OR COMPLIMENTS regarding CITY SERVICES OR NEIGHBORHOODS. These would include problems with refuse collection, street maintenance, traffic control signals and signs, street lights, requests for building inspections and health inspections, stray or vicious dogs, accumulations of trash and weeds, air pollution, defective public sidewalks, maintenance in City parks and recreation facilities, and other related City service problems.
    http://stlouis.missouri.org/government/csb.html

Missouri Statewide Resources Nationwide Resources
  • Better Business Bureau. To check out the REPUTATION OF A BUSINESS, file a COMPLAINT against a business or learn CONSUMER TIPS.
    http://www.bbb.org/

  • Comsumer.Gov. CONSUMER INFORMATION from the Federal Government on many topics, including FOOD, HEALTH, CHILDREN'S SAFETY, TECHNOLOGY AND MONEY.
    http://www.consumer.gov/

  • Consumer Reports Online. Unbiased BRAND NAME RATINGS, including cars and trucks, appliances, electronics, and foods. Also includes ADVICE ON HEALTH AND NUTRITION, and consumer services.
    http://www.consumerreports.org/

  • Federal Communications Commission. handles complaints and inquiries regarding TELEPHONE SYSTEMS, RADIO or TELEVISION
    http://www.fcc.gov/

  • Federal Consumer Information Center. Provides free of charge THE 2001 CONSUMER ACTION HANDBOOK, which offers 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. Also available through this agency is the CONSUMER ASSISTANCE DIRECTORY with thousands of names, addresses, telephone numbers, web site and e-mail addresses for national consumer organizations, better business bureaus, corporations, trade associations, state and local consumer protection offices, state agencies, military consumer offices, and Federal agencies.
    http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/

  • Federal Trade Commission. This agency directs its efforts toward stopping actions that threaten consumers' opportunities to exercise informed choices. Written complaints are accepted concerning various CONSUMER COMPLAINTS about specific businesses. The agency also provides for CONSUMER EDUCATION
    http://www.ftc.gov/

  • Internet Crime Complaint Center. Use this site to file a complaint if you think you have been swindled, hacked or DEFRAUDED ONLINE. The details will be forwarded to the appropriate agency for investigation.
    www.ic3.gov

  • Internet Scambusters. This site is set up to EXPOSE SCAMS that come across on the INTERNET and offers a free internet subscription to help you learn what scams are being sent.
    http://www.scambusters.org/

  • Kelly Blue Book. Offers suggested PRICES for new and used cars to assist consumers BUYING AND SELLING CARS .
    http://www.kbb.com/

  • MedWatch. is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) program for health professionals and consumers to report serious reactions and PROBLEMS WITH MEDICAL PRODUCTS such as drugs and medical devices.
    http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report/consumer/consumer.htm

  • National Consumer's League. The National Consumers League is a private, nonprofit ADVOCACY GROUP representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. It is the nation's oldest consumer organization. NCL provides government, businesses, and other organizations with the consumer's perspective on concerns including CHILD LABOR, PRIVACY, FOOD SAFETY, AND MEDICATION INFORMATION.
    http://www.natlconsumersleague.org/

  • National Fraud Information Center. The NFIC is the only nationwide toll-free hotline for consumers to get advice about TELEPHONE SOLICITATIONS and report possible TELEMARKETING FRAUD to law enforcement agencies. In 1996, the InternetFraud Watch was created, enabling the NFIC to offer consumers advice about promotions in cyberspace and route reports of suspected ONLINE AND INTERNET FRAUD to the appropriate government agencies.
    http://www.fraud.org/

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. is an independent Federal regulatory agency that helps keep American families safe by reducing the risk of injury or death from consumer products. This website offers LIFESAVING INFORMATION concerning various CONSUMER PRODUCTS, including PRODUCT RECALLS. Individuals can also report UNSAFE products to this agency.
    http://www.cpsc.gov/

  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA is a public health agency, charged with protecting American consumers by enforcing the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and several related public health laws .It is FDA's job to see that the FOOD we eat is safe and wholesome, the COSMETICS we use won't hurt us, the MEDICINES AND MEDICAL DEVICES we use are safe and effective, and that RADIATION-EMITTING PRODUCTS such as microwave ovens won't do us harm. Search this site for current knowledge on any of these related fields and where to go for additional information.
    http://www.fda.gov/

  • U.S. Postal Inspection Service. handles inquiries involving problems ORDERING MERCHANDISE, or TRANSACTING BUSINESS BY MAIL, or if you suspect you have been a victim of a MAIL FRAUD or MISREPRESENTATION SCHEME. This site will lead you to your local postal inspection site by zip code.
    http://www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect/

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