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May 2008

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"Spring Cleaning" Your Personal and Financial Records
This alert from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse is a quick reminder of how long you should keep your tax records.

Understanding Debit Cards: Plastic with a difference
This article from Consumer Action describes how debit cards differ from credit cards, the consumer protections that exist and how to address problems with billing and unauthorized use.

Made in the USA? The truth behind the labels
This article from Consumer Reports describes how hard it can be to tell where a product originated and includes examples.

Guide to Worldwide Plugs and Sockets Patterns & Power Mains
This page from Interpower Corporation has pictures of the various electrical socket patterns used around the world. Listings for each country include voltage, frequency/hz, and are cross-referenced to the patterns.

April 2008

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Earth Day is April 22. Visit EarthDay.gov for suggestions and tips on how you can make a difference at home, at work, and in your community.

2008 Consumer Action Handbook
This handbook, produced by the Federal Information Center, is updated annually, and is available in pdf form online or in print. It contains many tips to help consumers be smart shoppers. It also has a sample complaint letter, a consumer assistance directory, and contact information for many corporations, manufacturers, state and local government offices, federal agencies, Better Business Bureaus, consumer organizations, and trade associations.

Minimizing the Effects of Malware on Your Computer
These Facts for Consumers from the FTC provides tips on how to reclaim your computer and data if malware is on it.

March 2008

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Student Loan Borrower Assistance
This site from the National Consumer Law Center and the Project on Student Debt provides information to help those who already have student loans and want more information. Topics include understanding student loans, repayment, loan cancellation, where to go for help, and much more.

Spring checklist for the home
The checklist from Consumer Reports lists several potential issues that consumers should look out for around their homes.

February 2008

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Recycle Your Cell Phone. It's an Easy Call.
This initiative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes how recycling old cell phones can help people in need and help protect the environment. The site also has links for places and ways to recycle your cell phone.

Recognizing Credit Card Fraud
This publication from Consumer Action describes how to recognize and avoid many forms of fraud that involve credit cards, including skimming, phishing, ID theft and counterfeit cards.

IRS Names Four New Frivolous Claims to Avoid
This notice from the IRS lists four new frivolous claims for avoiding the payment of taxes. The notice also provides a link to additional information on the truth about frivolous arguments.

Fruits & Veggies Matter
This site from the CDC and other federal government agencies describes the benefits of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. The site includes the fruit and vegetable of the month, tips, recipes, and examples of what counts as a cup.