Shopping for Products & ServicesYour Rights
Microsites
- Read Up and Reach Out!
[en español]
This website provides information on personal finances, major purchases and investments, consumer rights, and identity theft as well as tips to help organizations include consumer topics in their programs.
- ¡Ojo! Be on the alert against fraud. Stay informed with the FTC
[en español]
Provides tips on how to spot, stop, and avoid fraud.
Facts for Consumers
- 10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud [PDF] [BROCHURE] [en español]
Provides consumers with 10 tips for avoiding mass marketing fraud.
- 66 Ways to Save Money [PDF]
Lists ways to save money on a range of consumer purchases, including housing, transportation, and insurance. 4”x9”, 12, pages, color.
All That Glitters... How to Buy Jewelry [PDF] [en español]Information to help you get the best quality jewelry for your money, whether you're shopping in a traditional brick and mortar store by catalog or online. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
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Billed for Merchandise You Never Received? Here's What To Do [PDF]
Explains your rights and steps to take to correct the problem. Includes a sample dispute letter. 8.5"x11", 4 pages, color.
- Check 21: Substitute Checks, Electronic Processing, and What It Means To You [PDF]
Explains how your paper checks can be replaced with copies called "substitute checks" or other electronic items. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
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Considering a Private Residential Treatment Program for a Troubled Teen? Questions for Parents and Guardians to Ask [PDF]
Have a troubled teen? Think you’ve exhausted intervention alternatives? Considering a private residential treatment program? Questions to ask representatives of programs you may be considering. 8.5"x11", 4 pages
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Cooling Off Rule [PDF]
Explains your three-business-day right to cancel purchases of $25 or more that are made in your home or at a location that is not the seller's permanent place of business. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
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Costly Coupon Scams [PDF]
Cautions the public about fraudulent promoters who claim consumers can earn big money clipping coupons, or selling "coupon certificate booklets." 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Electronic Check Conversion [PDF]
Explains how electronic check conversion works. Offers tips on keeping close tabs on your accounts. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- How to Right a Wrong [PDF] [en español]
Explains your rights when it comes to mail and telephone order shopping, unordered merchandise, and door-to-door sales. Also tells you how to write an effective complaint letter, and lists some resources for additional help. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Making Sure the Scanned Price Is Right [PDF]
Advises consumers how to avoid being overcharged for scanning errors. 8.5"x11", 2 pages.
- Paying Final Respects: Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods and Services [PDF]
[en español]
An abbreviated version of "Funerals: A Consumer Guide." Explains the Funeral Rule in brief. 8.5"x11", 6 pages.
- Prenotification Negative Option Plans
[PDF]
Explains how negative option plans work and your rights under Federal Trade Commission's Negative Option Rule. Lists factors a buyer should consider before subscribing to a plan. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Resolving Consumer Disputes: Mediation and Arbitration
[PDF]
Explains the alternative dispute resolution process for consumers. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
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Shopping by Phone or Mail [PDF]
Explains the FTC's Mail or Telephone Order Rule and the Fair Credit Billing Act, how to resolve problems with purchases, and how to reduce direct marketing solicitations. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
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Solving Consumer Problems [PDF]
Simple strategies for resolving a problem you may have with a product or service. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Taking the Scare Out of Auto Repair
[PDF]
Explains how your vehicle works, how to identify common car problems, how to select a good technician, and the kinds of questions to ask. Explains your rights. 4"x9", 20 pages, color.
- The Real Deal: Playing the Buying Game [PDF]
Provides tips and activities for kids on how to spend wisely, shop smart, and separate fantasy from reality. 8.5"x11", 12 pages, color.
- Unordered Merchandise [PDF]
Offers questions and answers about dealing with unordered merchandise, including demands for payment. 8.5"x11", 2 pages.
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Warranties [PDF]
Explains that federal law requires that warranties be available for you to read before you buy, even when you're shopping by catalog or on the Internet. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Weighing the Evidence in Diet Ads [PDF] [en español]
Helps consumers evaluate claims for weight loss products by outlining several typical false claims. 8.5”x11”, 2 pages.
Consumer Alerts
- 10 Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping Online [PDF][en español]
- Before You Buy Cosmetic Contact Lenses [PDF] [en español]
- Buying, Giving, and Using Gift Cards [PDF] [en español]
- Diversity Visa Lottery: Read the Rules, Avoid the Rip-Offs [PDF] [en español]
- Going Platinum: What to Look for When Buying Platinum Jewelry [PDF]
- How to Be the Class 'Value-dictorian' [PDF] [en español]
- Layaway: Another Way to Buy [PDF] [en español]
- Petal Pushers: Is Your 'Local' Florist Really Long-Distance? [PDF]
- Sending Money to Family and Friends Overseas [English] [Chinese] [Korean] [Spanish] [Tagalog] [Vietnamese]
- Taking the 'Bait' Out of Rebates [PDF]
- The Eyes Have It - Get Your Prescription [PDF]
- The Keys to Hiring a Reputable Locksmith [PDF]
Promotional Items
- Consumer Sentinel/Military bookmark [PDF]
Bookmark for military members and families with information about Consumer Sentinel/Military, www.ftc.gov/sentinel/military, the portal for military to file complaints to be entered in the Consumer Sentinel Network. 2.5"x8.5", 2 sided, color.
Articles You can reprint these articles in your newsletter, magazine or website.
- Is A Sale Price Your Best Deal? [PDF]
With consumers soon to be blanketed by pre-holiday sales, holiday sales and post-holiday sales, the trick is to make sure the deal you're getting is really the best deal. To help you get the most for you money, the Federal Trade Commission offers these tips.
- Tips for Buying and Using Gift Cards [PDF]
What to look for when buying and using gift cards, especially the terms and conditions of their use.
