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Consumer Information

211 – Free information on available community services by calling 211

Better Business Bureau – Find information on over 2 million organizations, File a complaint, Locate a local bureau, Consumer tips, etc.

CallerComplaints.com – This website allows users to submit and view phone numbers of telemarketers. It notes that β€œ[u]nlike government reporting websites, these reports are publicly published for the world to see.” Search, or browse by area codes, most searched numbers, and recently filed complaints. The submission form has a place to submit the caller name (if known), caller type (such as debt collector), and complaint details

Consumer.gov – Free, reliable resources dealing with credit, debt, identity theft, avoiding scams, as well as: budgeting, opening a bank account, shopping for prepaid cards, and managing money in general. Available in English and Spanish

Consumer Assistance — From New York State’s Attorney General

Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) – Find Federal consumer publications on everything from cars to travel and more…

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – This website is a one-stop national resource to to consumers wanting to File Consumer Complaints, Prevent or Report Identity Theft, Get a free Credit Report, Get on the Do not Call Registry and a has a multitude of other useful consumer tools

GasBuddy.com can help you find cheap gas prices in your city. It is comprised of 170 gas price information web sites that help consumers find low gasoline prices.” Search for prices by ZIP code.

Internet Crime Complaint Center – This website contains background information and alerts about Internet scams and fraud, covering topics such as identity theft, hacking, phishing, spam, spyware, job scams, Ponzi and pyramid schemes, online auctions, sweepstakes and lotteries, and counterfeit payments. Includes a FAQ, victims’ stories, a fraud risk test, and links to places to file a complaint about online fraud. It is a joint project of federal law enforcement agencies and industry partners.

National Do Not Call Registry – Use this site to register your personal home and cell phone numbers to potentially avoid most telemarketers. Depending on the outcome of a court case, these telemarkets will no longer be able to call you if your phone number is on this list. Also verify your registration, change it, or file a complaint about failure to honor this registry. Some material available in Spanish. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

New York Office of Unclaimed FundsΒ – “Find Lost Money”. Overview of page says “New York State has over $13 billion in lost money. Every day we return $1 million to those who file a claim. Lost or unclaimed money gets turned over by organizations required to report dormant accounts to the New York State Office of the State Comptroller. This money includes things like forgotten savings accounts, lost paychecks, and stocks or bonds.”

NY Connects Resource Directory – “NY Connects is your trusted place to go for free, unbiased information about long term services and supports in New York State for people of all ages or with any type of disability.”

Recalls.gov – β€œYour online resource for recalls.”

Smart911 – Free service that helps in emergencies by providing important information that would be useful to first responders. “With Smart911, both 9-1-1 call takers and first responders know exactly what you want them to know in any kind of emergency.”

Stopping Unsolicited Mail, etc. – From the Federal Trade Commission, learn how to stop unsolicited mail, phone calls and email.

Unclaimed Funds – From the Office of the New York State Comptroller

Vital Records – Birth, Death, Marriage, Foreign Authentication. From New York State’s Department of Health

Your Access to Free Credit Reports – Under an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumers will be able to request a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months. This site from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) details when reports will be available to residents of each state and how to order them. Other frequently asked questions regarding credit reports are also addressed