PLEASE NOTE: Due to proposed cuts to federal agencies under the Trump administration, some federal government websites linked on this page, such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, may be revised, scaled down or eliminated without notice, or may not provide the most recent information.
Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice
Online consumer guides and multimedia library offering useful advice on a variety of topics, including automobiles, credit, investment, privacy, health, jobs, and others. You can also file an online complaint and sign up for e-mail updates
Federal Trade Commission consumer.gov
This U.S. government website provides basic, easy-to-understand information that can help you manage & use your money wisely, use credit & loans carefully, protect your personal information, and protect your money from people who try to take it (Federal Trade Commission).
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Offers consumer education on financial topics from the government agency responsible for implementing Federal consumer financial law.
Truth in Advertising is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization, helping consumers to protect themselves against false advertising and deceptive marketing (TINA, Truth in Advertising; a non-profit consumer advocacy organization)
US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)
PIRG is an advocate for consumers, advancing solutions to problems that affect our health, our safety and our well-being (US Public Interest Research Group)USA.gov – Offers an organized location to find government services.
Before dealing with an unfamiliar company, you may want to search this site to find out whether the BBB has a report on them. The site also offers informative and timely BBB Consumer News, Scam Alerts, an online complaint form, and more.
Free access to PDF copies of Consumer Reports articles with your library card. Access through our EBSCOHost Masterfile Elite database. You will need your South Plainfield Public Library card to access. You can also read them in person at the library!
a ‘one-stop shop’ for government recalls on food, drugs, autos, and other consumer products. You can sign up for email alerts for any and all categories. (All from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Helps consumers to report and recover from Identity Theft.
Provides consumers with Social Security scam alerts, how to spot a scam and how to report a scam.
The following resources aim to educate consumers about Fake News and Deepfakes and how to evaluate information to find reliable resources.
When a public figure says something questionable, this page from the Associated Press investigates it and offers the facts. In addition, the page debunks false online stories, and presents a weekly roundup of untrue headlines that have been shared widely on social media.
Another resource to find fact checked information for consumers.
explains what deepfakes are, potential benefits & harms, and how to guard against them (2023, Thomson Reuters)
