CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Charitable donations

The Federal Trade Commission’s “Helping Victims of the Bombing in Boston – Make Sure Your Donations Count” reminds consumers to do some research on where they intend to donate before doing so.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Primer on credit reports, part 2

This is the second of two columns on credit reports and credit scores.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Primer on credit reports

This is the first of two columns offering consumers basic information on credit reports and credit scores.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: FTC’s report on consumer fraud, part 3

This is the final of three columns on the Federal Trade Commission’s publication, “Consumer Fraud in the United States, 2011.” The publication presents findings of a survey the agency commissioned to examine consumer experiences involving fraud.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: FTC’s report on consumer fraud, part 2

In April, the Federal Trade Commission published, “Consumer Fraud in the United States, 2011,” presenting findings of a survey commissioned by the agency to examine consumer experiences involving fraud.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: FTC’s report on consumer fraud, part 1

In April the Federal Trade Commission published, “Consumer Fraud in the United States, 2011.”

Tips for teaching young people about money

Parents, grandparents, and guardians who spend time teaching money-management skills to young people can do those they teach an important service.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Aviation consumer protection

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division maintains a useful website for air travelers.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Planning for future needs

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy publishes “Saving and Investing,” a publication designed to provide information on the basics of consumer saving and investing.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Money Smart Week

April 20-27 is “Money Smart Week” in Indiana.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Saving money in the kitchen

The U.S. Department of Energy provides tips on saving money through energy efficiency in the kitchen (www.energysavers.gov).

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Safer mobile banking

The latest issue of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s FDIC Consumer News offers consumers tips for safer mobile banking.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Top 10 consumer complaints

The Federal Trade Commission recently published the 2012 annual report, Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, containing a listing of the top 10 consumer complaints.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Emergency preparedness

Home emergency preparedness can appear complex and time-consuming to consumers.

BUSINESS COLUMNIST: Identity theft related to personal tax filings

With tax-filing season in full swing, the Federal Trade Commission is reminding consumers to be careful of identity theft related to personal tax filings.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Credit report errors

The Federal Trade Commission recently reported to Congress on the results of a study the agency conducted of the country’s credit reporting industry.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: National Consumer Protection Week

National Consumer Protection Week is an annual campaign by government agencies, consumer advocacy organizations, and private-sector groups across the United States to encourage consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Childproofing the home

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers a brochure to those wishing to learn more about childproofing their home.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Watch out for tech support scam

The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers of a tech support scam that includes a twist; it starts with a simple telephone call.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: FTC email warning to small businesses

In January, the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning to small businesses not to open an email claiming to be from the agency and containing the subject line, “Notification of Consumer Complaint.”

CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Credit tips for young adults

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Electronic check conversion

The electronic check conversion process is becoming more common. However, not all consumers understand it.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Tips for avoiding fraud

According to the Federal Trade Commission, scam artists from around the world defraud consumers each year of millions of dollars.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: New Year resolutions for consumers

The following New Year’s resolutions could help you become a more informed consumer in 2013.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Center for nutrition policy, promotion website”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion seeks to improve American health through dietary information and general guidance.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Flood-damaged vehicles

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a blog Nov. 20 by Holly Petraeus, titled “Don’t take a bath on a flood-damaged car.”

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: FTC’s gift-buying tips

The Federal Trade Commission provides consumers with tips for holiday shopping online.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: DOE's trip calculator

If you are planning a long trip over the holidays, you may benefit from the U.S. Department of Energy’s “My Trip Calculator” (located at www.fueleconomy.gov).

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Label shows which appliances are energy efficient

If you are considering buying an appliance as a holiday gift, you can do the person you are giving the gift to a favor by considering the EnergyGuide label as part of your product comparison shopping.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Safer holiday shopping

With the holiday season approaching, it’s time again to refer consumers to the National Crime Prevention Council’s “Safe Shopping” (available at www.ncpc.org).

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Fraudulent charitable contribution schemes

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) provides consumers with "Tips on Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes."

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Be careful when using layaway plans

Store layaway plans provide consumers with an option, providing the opportunity to buy products without a credit card and without having “cash on hand” to pay the full price.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: EBSA’s Tips on Savings, part III

This is the final of three columns focusing on savings tips offered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration in its booklet, “Savings Fitness: A Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future.”

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: EBSA’s tips on savings, part two

This is the second of three columns focusing on savings tips offered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration in its booklet, Savings Fitness: A Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future (available at www.dol.gov/ebsa ).

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: EBSA’s tips on savings, part I

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration offers at www.dol.gov/ebsa a booklet titled, “Savings Fitness: A Guide to Your Money and Your Financial Future.”

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Ready.gov helps you prepare for emergencies

FEMA’s “www.Ready.gov” website is part of the national Ready campaign, a campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Buying from the government

The website USA.gov offers a one-stop shop for those consumers interested in buying government-related or government-owned merchandize.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Postal email spam

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has issued a Crime Alert regarding bogus emails sent to postal customers.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Mortgage assistance, avoiding mortgage loan modification scams

On Aug. 1, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau urged consumers to be careful of mortgage loan modification scams (www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/consumer-advisory-foreclosure-help-is-free-and-scams-are-expensive/ ).

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: The home inventory

A fire or natural disaster can seriously damage or destroy your home.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Government-sponsored website to assist car-buying

If you are interested in buying a new vehicle, you may find tips provided by the Federal Trade Commission in its publication, “Buying a New Car,” useful (available at www.ftc.gov).

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Protecting tour household move

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, more than 40 million Americans move annually.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Wise use of your credit card

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System offer “5 Tips: Getting the Most from Your Credit Card” (www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/fivetips_creditcard.htm ).

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: The EPA’s green vehicle guide

Whether you are a consumer interested in buying a vehicle with high environmental performance or one who simply wants to save money at the gas pump by buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle, the EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide can help.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Food and nutrition assistance programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers several programs designed to help people in need get food and to provide Americans generally with information on good nutrition.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Wiring money overseas

The Federal Trade Commission, in cooperation with the Appleseed Foundation, has issued a Consumer Alert on sending money to family and friends overseas.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Debt collector scam

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a Consumer Alert cautioning about scam artists posing as debt collectors.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Buying a car: Suggestions before going to dealership

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. offers suggestions on what to do before going to a dealership to buy a new car.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Personal Social Security statements available online

The U.S. Social Security Administration announced May 1 the availability of an online version of the personal Social Security statement.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS: Tips for traveling abroad

U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers those travelling abroad tips to make re–entry into the United States go more smoothly ("CBP Reminds Travelers to 'Know Before You Go,'" www.cbp.gov ).