Internet sites empower boomer consumers

Being an informed consumer is vital in helping boomer consumers in their daily lives. These helpful Web sites are worth reading regularly:

• ConsumerReports.org. Provides ratings on consumer products and articles on how to buy goods and services.

• ConsumerAffairs.Com. Offers news articles on a wide variety of consumer topics written and edited by a staff of eight, mostly journalists. The recall section is helpful because it lists information from all agencies, not just the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumer complaints can be filed. Information on companies is provided.

• AARP.org (beta). The online version of the AARP Magazine, divided into categories of Health, Money, Leisure, Make a Difference, Family, and Online Community.

• Troubleshooter.com. Makes available consumer information gathered from Tom Martino’s radio and TV programs. Helpful for consumers are ReferralList.com, prescreened and monitored merchants and service professionals, and the HelpCenter where consumer counselors provide information and referrals by telephone and give direct help in solving consumer problems or answering consumer questions.

• MeasuredUp. Offers a site where consumers rate and review the customer service they experience from businesses.

• Better Business Bureau. Supplies extensive information about companies based on consumer complaints filed.

• Consumer World. Presents dozens of articles on consumer issues and consumer "quickies." The blog is written by Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and educator for 30 years.

• National Association of Attorneys General. Check this site to find if the Attorney General's Office in your state or another state agency handles consumer complaints. NAAG also offers a round-up of consumer protection news at the state level.

These federal government sites provide consumer resources and some take reports from consumers on marketplace problems.

• Consumer Product Safety Commission. Takes reports on unsafe products and offers information on recalls and product safety. The commission has jurisdiction over more than 15,000 consumer products, but it doesn't regulate airplanes, cars, food, or drugs.

• Federal Citizen Information Center. Lists booklets on consumer topics that can be purchased or downloaded and offers a Consumer Information Catalog.

• Consumer Action Website. Makes available links to consumer news, consumer topics, how and where to file complaints, and publications.

• Consumer.gov. Supplies a round-up of resources available from the federal government.

• Federal Trade Commission. Takes consumer complaints and uses them for law enforcement purposes rather than to assist individuals resolve their complaints. The FTC also provides information on identity theft, Internet scams, credit cards and credit reporting, and telemarketing and telephone services. The agency also manages the National Do Not Call Registry.

• Recalls.Gov. Alerts consumers to recalls in a one-stop, federal government Web site. Six agencies join to provide recall information on consumer products, motor vehicles, boats, food, medicine, cosmetics, and environmental products.

• Department of Agriculture. Develops dietary guidelines, provides nutrition information, answers questions on food safety, and takes reports on food-related illnesses and product complaints.

• Food and Drug Administration. Takes reports on adverse reactions to drugs, medical devices, and food (except meat or poultry). The FDA offers articles on health, medications, medical devices, cosmetics, nutrition, and recall information on food and drugs.

For information on where to file an airline complaint, see my post of Feb. 18, 2008, Frustrated with an airline? Here's how to file a complaint.