Articles & Information
Consumer Information
Note: These online subscription resources require a Henrico library card number for use outside the library.
EBSCOhost
[in the library] [outside the library]
Offers choice of searching in 3 sources: Novelist, Literary Reference Center, & GreenFILE.
GreenFILE offers well-researched information covering all aspects of human impact to the environment. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles includes content on global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more. The database provides indexing and abstracts for more than 384,000 records, as well as Open Access full text for more than 4,700 records.
Selected Websites-General
ConsumerGuide
Reports, review, prices quotes, and product comparisons make
this a smart place to research before you buy.
Consumer
Reports
Some information is available for free from Consumer Reports;
a paid subscriber has access to expanded features.
ConsumerSearch
ConsumerSearch helps consumers find answers about what products
are top-rated or best bets in their class. It also provides
an intelligent search engine to the best articles on any
given product or service.
Consumer
Reports Webwatch
Consumer Reports Webwatch provides unbiased and practical research
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. For example,
it rates how sites label advertising or if the content is primarily “advertorials.”
Consumer
World
Consumer World is a public service, non-commercial guide with
over 2000 of the most useful consumer resources.
Selected Websites-Automobiles and other vehicles
National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides
information on safety problems and issues, testing results,
and regulations and standards, and recalls.
AutoSite
AutoSite Information Center provides access to dealer invoices,
the latest rebates and incentives, comparison of different
makes and models, and more.
CarPrices.com
CarPrices.com is a handy resource to check prices on new and
used cars, place a classified ad to sell a car, and find
calculators for vehicle loans and refinancing.
Kelley Blue
Book
Kelley Blue Book provides information on trade-in and retail
prices based on zip code, provides deal quotes, reviews and
ratings, and compares several cars at a time.
Gold
Book
The Gold Book is the oldest continuously published authority
on collector car values based on auctions and private sales.
NADA
Appraisal Guides
NADA Appraisal Guides that offers new and used vehicle pricing
for cars, trucks, and SUV’s; motorcycles; boats; classic
cars; recreation vehicles; and manufactured homes.
Selected Websites-Charities
Charity
Navigator
Check Charity Navigator to view evaluations of more than 5,000
of America’s largest charities to determine how their
funds are being raised and spent.
American
Institute of Philanthropy
The American Institute of Philanthropy is a nationally prominent
charity watchdog service whose purpose is to help donors make
informed giving decisions
Selected Websites-Consumer Education and Complaints
OCA
at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The Office of Consumer Affairs at the Virginia Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services serves as the central clearinghouse
for the collection, evaluation, investigation, or referral
of consumer complaints.
Office
of the Attorney General of Virginia
Office of the Attorney General of Virginia provides consumer
and fraud alert information on a variety of topics.
Better Business
Bureau
Better Business Bureau reports provide information on over
2 million organizations. It’s a good idea to check before
you invest or give.
Consumer.gov
Your resource for consumer information from the federal government.
U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is 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.
Federal
Trade Commission for the Consumer
The Federal Trade Commission strives to educate the public
to help prevent consumer injury. Check here for advice
on avoiding scams and rip-offs, as well as tips on other consumer
topics.
Federal
Citizen Information Center
The Federal Citizen Information Center provides answers to
questions about the Federal Government and everyday consumer
issues. Publications may be ordered for a small fee; most can
be downloaded for immediate viewing.
www.Recalls.gov
Six federal agencies with vastly different jurisdictions have
joined together to create www.recalls.gov -- a "one
stop shop" for U.S. Government recalls.
Consumer
Action
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.
Selected Websites-Financial
AnnualCreditReport.com
A central site that allows you to request a free credit report
once every 12 months from each of three nationwide consumer
credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Selected Websites-Safeguarding Privacy and Online Security
Identity
Theft Resource Center
The Identity Theft Resource Center is a national nonprofit
organization that focuses exclusively on identity theft.
Privacy
Rights Clearinghouse
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is a nonprofit consumer education,
research, and advocacy organization that provides many fact
sheets that emphasize consumers on privacy issues. Examples:
identity theft, children’s online Privacy, and medical
records.
