Recommended Websites |
These websites have been picked by our reference librarians to assist you in gathering information. This is not meant to be a complete directory of web resources, but a collection of useful resources.
Consumer Information
Consumer Reports
Some information is available free. Paid subscribers have access to expanded features.
ConsumerSearch
Find answers about what products are top-rated or best bets in their class. Searchable.
Consumer Reports Webwatch
Provides information on Web site publishing and business practices; helps devise guidelines for credibility; exposes practices that are a cause for consumer concern; and recognizes good practices.
Consumer World
2000+ consumer resources.
Automobiles and Other Vehicles
ConsumerGuide Automotive
Reports, reviews, price quotes, and product comparisons.
AutoSite
Access to dealer invoices, rebates and incentives, and comparison of different makes and models.
CarPrices.com
Check prices on new and used cars, place a classified ad to sell a car, and find calculators for vehicle loans and refinancing.
Edmunds.com
Provides pricing, car reviews, ratings, and advice.
Kelley Blue Book
Vehicle trade-in and retail prices based on zip code, plus quotes, reviews and ratings.
Gold Book
Collector car values based on auctions and private sales.
NADA Appraisal Guides
New and used vehicle pricing for cars, trucks, and SUV's; motorcycles; boats; classic cars; recreation vehicles; and manufactured homes.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Information on safety problems and issues, testing results, regulations and standards, and recalls.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau
Determine if a vehicle has been stolen, in salvage, or has flood damage that has been reported to an insurance company.
The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System
Provides consumers information on a vehicle's title, most recent odometer reading, in some cases historical theft data, and salvage, crash, or flood information.
Consumer Education and Complaints
Better Business Bureau
BBB reports provide information on 2 million+ organizations.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Searchable database for domestic assistance programs.
Consumer Action
Refers consumers to complaint-handling agencies through a free hotline, publishes education materials in many languages, advocates for consumers, and compares prices on credit cards, bank accounts, and long distance services.
Federal Trade Commission for the Consumer
Educates the public to help prevent consumer injury. Check here for advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs.
Federal Citizen Information Center
Answers questions about the Federal government and everyday consumer issues. Publications may be ordered for a small fee. Most can be downloaded for immediate viewing.
Office of Consumer Affairs at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Central clearinghouse for the collection, evaluation, investigation, or referral of consumer complaints.
Office of the Attorney General of Virginia
Provides consumer and fraud alert information, family Internet safety tips, sex offenders registry, etc.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Product recalls, including toys, are posted on this site.
www.Recalls.gov
Six federal agencies joined together to create this one stop for U.S. Government recalls.
Financial
AnnualCreditReport.com
Provides a free credit report once every 12 months from each of three nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Safeguarding Privacy and Online Security
Identity Theft Resource Center
National nonprofit organization that focuses exclusively on identity theft.
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Provides fact sheets about privacy issues, including identity theft, children’s online privacy, and medical records.
