The Following Consumer Resource Web Sites
Are Intended to Assist You in Your Search
for Information:
GENERAL CONSUMER INFORMATION:
To Check the Number of Complaints Against a Business at the Attorney General’s Office:
(617) 727-8400
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Home Page
Gateway to Information on Massachusetts
www.state.ma.us
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
Consumer Regulation and Information
www.ago.state.ma.us
Lemon Law Arbitration Program
Consumer Affairs Office
www.mass.gov/consumer
Mass. Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
Order or Download Consumer Pamphlets
www.mass.gov/consumer -- has consumer brochures on line
Massachusetts DO NOT CALL Program
Add your telephone and cell number to the DO NOT CALL list
www.mass.gov/donotcall
AUTOMOBILES:
Auto Safety Hotline, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Highway & Vehicle Safety Standards, Crash Tests, Auto Recalls
(800) 424-9393
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
CARFAX
Gives history of vehicle, need VIN #, costs $20
www.carfax.com
Car Smart
Everything You Need to Know About Automobile Purchase, Lease,
Repair & Lemon Law
www.massconsumers.org/carsmart
Car Talk
Automotive Advice & Information With A Touch Of Humor
www.cartalk.cars.com
Center for Auto Safety
To find out if there are hidden problems on your vehicle,
please send a SASE with make, model, year and problem of car to:
2001 S Street NW; suite 410; Washington, DC 20009
(202) 328-7700
www.autosafety.org
Registry of Motor Vehicles
Information on Motor Vehicles and Licensing
www.state.ma.us/rmv
Service Bulletins for Cars
www.alldata.com
CONSUMER INFO:
Banking and Mortgages
Massachusetts Division of Banks
Hot Line: (800) 495-2265
Better Business Bureau
Check Business Complaint History, Reliability Reports, Alerts, and Consumer Advisories
235 West Central St., Natick, MA 01760
(508) 652-4800
www.bosbbb.org
Consumer Information Center
Excellent Consumer Information Resource
www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Consumer World
Complete Consumer News, Information & Resource Center
www.consumerworld.org
Massachusetts Consumers' Coalition
An Association of Public & Private Agencies Affiliated to Promote Consumer Interests
www.massconsumers.org
National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators NACAA
Association of Consumer Agencies (consumer information & links)
www.nacaa.net.index.php
National Consumer Law Center
Consumer Laws Advocacy Resource
www.consumerlaw.org
National Mail Fraud Information Center
Clearinghouse for Information About Online & Offline Scams
www.fraud.org/welcome.htm
U.S. Consumer Gateway
Resources for Consumer Information from Federal Agencies
www.consumer.gov
CREDIT:
Consumer Credit Counseling Services Southern New England
Local Assistance for People Dealing with Financial Problems
(800) 282-6196
www.creditcounseling.org
Credit Reporting Bureaus:
Trans Union - (800) 888-4213
Experian - (888) 397-3742
Equifax - (800) 685-1111
Central Source for Combined Free Credit Report
(877) 322-8228
www.annualcreditreport.com
To opt out of marketing lists:
(888) 567-8688
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:
Environmental Protection Agency
Information on the Environment
www.epa.gov
Federal Drug Administration
Information on Food or Drugs
(888) 463-6332
www.fda.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Information on Scams, Identity Theft, Fair Credit Reporting, Telemarketing & More
www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm
Social Security Administration
Information on SSI; How to Obtain a Report on Your Benefit Status
www.ssa.gov
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(800) 638-2772
Check on Product Recalls & Safety Warnings
www.cpsc.gov
U.S. Postal Service
Information on Rates, Regulations, Zip Codes
www.usps.gov/welcome.htm
HOME IMPROVEMENT:
To Check on a Contractor’s Registration,
Call the Board of Building Regulations and Standards
(617) 727-3200 x 25205
www.state.ma.us/bbrs/hic.htm
Home Improvement Contractor Program
Contractor History, Information & Arbitration Program
www.homeimprovement.state.ma.us
IDENTITY THEFT:
Resources for Identify Theft Problems
Information from FTC about Identity Theft
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
LEGAL:
Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral
(617) 742-0625 or (800) 552-7046
Mass Bar Association Lawyer Referral
(617) 542-9103 or (800) 392-6164
To answer a legal question for free:
First Wednesday of the month, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
(617) 338-0610
SENIOR CITIZENS:
Elder Hotline
(888) 243-5337
AARP Consumer Product Catalog
Information and Publications on Consumer Issues for Seniors
http://research.aarp.org/ppi
Board of Registration of Nursing Homes
Information on Massachusetts regulation of Nursing Homes/Complaints
www.mass.gov/dpl/consumer/fspagenh.htm
UTILITIES, TELEPHONE:
Department of Telecommunications & Energy (formerly DPU)
Information on the Electrical, Telephone, Gas & Cable Companies in Massachusetts
(800) 392-6066 or (617) 727-3531
www.magnet.state.ma.us/dpu
DISCLAIMER
The Internet sites listed as resources on this page are included because of the helpful and relevant information they contain, but we cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information provided. Some are commercial sites that promote purchases of services or publications and/or contain opinionated information. Inclusion in this list does not in any manner constitute endorsement of the opinions or products offered in the web sites or of its financial sponsors by the Worcester County Consumer Mediation Project. as host of this web site.
