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The
Consumer Action Handbook
, published by theUnited States General Services Administration,offers valuable advice to consumers. This handbook provides information about credit, insurance, travel,and other topics and helps individuals make wisedecisions in today’s marketplace. I encourage allAmericans to consider using this helpful guide.Best wishes,
The White HouseWashington
September 29, 2006
GSA Administrator
U.S. General Services Administration1800 F Street, NWWashington, DC 20405-0002www.gsa.gov
October 2006I am pleased to introduce the 2007 edition of the
Consumer Action Handbook
,one of the most popular publications produced by the Federal government.The
Handbook
covers the most important and common consumer issues andprovides a directory for further resources. If you prefer to find informationonline, you can access the
Handbook’s
award-winning companion websiteat www.ConsumerAction.gov or in Spanish at www.consumidor.gov.Check out www.USA.gov, the official web portal of the U.S. Government, foranswers to all your government questions. If you need help finding your answer,click “Contact Us” at the bottom of the page. Our trained staff will send ane-mail response within two business days. You can also call 1-800-FED-INFOto speak to an information agent, or write to Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009 for a listof free and low-cost government publications on a variety of consumer topics.These efforts are all part of GSA’s on-going effort to simplify citizen accessto Federal information and services. GSA is working hard to provide you withtimely, accurate and trustworthy help.Cordially,Lurita Doan
United States General Services AdministrationFederal Citizen Inormation Center
2007C
onsumer
 A
Ction
 H
Andbook
 
C
ontributors
The Federal Citizen Information Center would like to express its gratitude to the partners listed below who helpedmake possible the publication of the 2007 Consumer Action Handbook
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The Honorable Nancy A. NordChairman
Department of Agriculture
The Cooperative State Research,Education, and Extension ServiceColien HefferanAdministrator
Department of Defense
The Honorable Donald H. RumsfeldSecretary
Department of Veterans Affairs
The Honorable R. James NicholsonSecretary
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The Honorable Sheila C. BairChairman
Federal Trade Commission
The Honorable Deborah Platt MajorasChairman
General Services Administration
The Honorable Lurita Alexis DoanAdministrator
Securities and Exchange Commission
The Honorable Christopher CoxChairman
American Association of Homes andServices for the AgingAARPAmerican Financial ServicesAssociation Education FoundationAmerican ExpressBridgestone/Firestone LLCCampbell Soup CompanyCarfaxThe Colgate-Palmolive CompanyConsumer Electronics AssociationThe Dannon CompanyDell Inc.Direct Marketing AssociationFrito-LayJohnson & JohnsonKellogg CompanyLevi Strauss & CompanyMetLifeMichelin North America, Inc.MicrosoftNational Association of ConsumerAgency AdministratorsNational Futures AssociationNike, Inc.Procter & GambleSOCAP International (Society ofConsumer Affairs Professionals)Sprint NextelSubaru of America, Inc.VerizonVisaWells Fargo & Company
 
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Quick consumer tips 1tips for using this handbook 2part i – be a savvy consumer               2general buying tips 2
Before You Buy 2Service Contracts & Extended Warranties 2Product Safety Recalls 3Identifying And Stopping Fraud 3After You Buy 3
banking 3
ATM/Debit Cards 3Prepaid Cards 4Savings And Checking 5Unsolicited Checks And Credit Offers 6
cars 6
Buying A New Car 7Buying A Used Car 7Dealer Versus Private Party Purchases 8Leasing 9Recalls, Lemon Laws And Secret Warranties 9Renting 10Repairs 10Repossessions 10
credit 10
Credit Cards 11Credit Reports And Scores 12Dealing With Credit Problems 13Loans 16
education 16
Choosing A School 16Financing Your Education 17
employment 19
Employment Agencies 19Work-At-Home Companies 19
food and nutrition 20
Healthy Food Choices 20Food Safety 20Weight Loss 20
healthcare 21
Choosing A Doctor 21Choosing A Healthcare Facility 22Prescription Drugs 22Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage 23
housing 23
Buying A Home 23Avoiding Foreclosure 24Home Improvement And Repairs 25Renting/Leasing 26
insurance 27
Auto Insurance 27Disability Insurance 28Health Insurance 28Healthcare Plans 28Homeowner/Renter’s Insurance 29Life Insurance 29Long-Term Care Insurance 29Other Insurance 30
internet 30
Choosing Service Providers 30Copyright/Digital Ownership Of File Sharing 31Safer Computing 31Online Auctions And Sellers 32Spam 33
investing 34
Financial Brokers And Advisors 35
phones 36
900 Numbers 37Cell Phones And Wireless Devices 37
protect your identity 38
Preventing Identity Loss 39Reporting Identity Theft 39
protect your privacy 39
Financial Privacy 40Medical Privacy 40Online Privacy 41
shopping from home 41
Your Rights: Shopping From Home 413-Day Cooling-Off Rule 42
telemarketing & Junk mail 42
Do Not Call Registry 43Pre-recorded Messages 43Sales Calls 43Vishing 44
travel 44
Resolving Air Travel Problems 45Passports 46Travel Safety 46
tv 47
Cable/Satellite 47Digital Television (DTV) 47
utilities48
Electricity And Natural Gas 48Water 48
Wills & funerals 48
Planning For The End Of Life 48Wills 48Choose An Executor 49Funerals 49
part ii – filing a complaint 51contact the seller 51get help 51
Call For Action, Inc52Dispute Resolution Programs 52Small Claims Court 53Legal Help And Information53
report fraud & safety hazard 54sample complaint letter 55part iii – key consumer informationresources 56
General Resources 56For Persons With Disabilities 56For Military Personnel 57For Teachers 59
part iv – consumer assistancedirectory60index 166
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