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August 2008

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The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) have created interactive tools to help you understand deposit insurance. NCUA provides the Share Insurance Estimator and FDIC provides the Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE).

BBB Warns Drivers to Be Wary of Gas-Saving Gadgets and Additives
These tips from the Better Business Bureau describe reliable ways to improve fuel economy.

Choosing A Credit Card: The Deal is in the Disclosures
This fact sheet from the FTC explains credit card terms, how the balance is computed, and protections for card holders.

Leave me alone. Your privacy online—and offline
This publication from Consumer Action describes why it is important to be careful about who has access to your personal information both online and offline.

July 2008

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Time-Saving Tips for Summer Travel
These tips from the Federal Citizen Information Center cover travel by air, land, and sea.

Energy in Brief is a section on the Energy Information Administration (EIA) website. These briefs explain energy topics such as How is my electricity generated, delivered, and priced?, How dependent are we on foreign oil?, and How much renewable energy do we use? The EIA is part of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Energy Savers Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home
This site from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provides tips for saving energy and money at home and on the road.

BBB Consumer Alert: Phony Escrow Companies Defraud Car-Buyers Out of Thousands
This alert from the Better Business Bureau provides tips on avoiding phony escrow services when purchasing a vehicle online.

June 2008

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Who's Calling? Recognize and Report Phone Fraud
This site from the FTC describes common phone scams, how to avoid them, and how to report them.

Freeze Your Credit File Leave ID Thieves Out in the Cold
This publication from Consumer Action explains what a security freeze is, how to determine if a freeze is right for you, and how to enact a freeze.

With almost half of U.S. gasoline now containing ethanol, check out Ethanol Myths and Facts. For more information about alternative fuels, alternative vehicles, and advanced vehicles visit the Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center from the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Understanding Web Site Certificates
This cyber security tip from the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team describes how understanding these certificates can help protect your online privacy.

 

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.