Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC)
Pueblo, CO 81009
Phone: 1 (800) FED INFO
Web: www.pueblo.gsa.gov
Part of the U.S. General Services Administration, FCIC is a one-stop source for
consumer information from the federal government. The free Consumer Information
Catalog lists more than 200 free and low-cost publications on topics such as cars,
child care, education, federal benefits, money management, food, health, housing and
travel. Order a copy of the Catalog from the FCIC website or call 1-800-FED INFO
(333-4636) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, M-F. You can also get a copy
by sending your name and address to FCIC at the address above.
Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog
Web: GovGab.gov
FCIC's new blog, Gov Gab, gives consumers a fresh and interactive perspective on how they can use government resources to make their every day lives better, easier, and more fun. The Gov Gab bloggers are five FCIC employees with diverse interests and points of view who will post daily entries on a wide variety of topics. From saving money and visiting National Parks to finding out about the latest government auction, if there's a government resource or service that the bloggers use in their daily lives, consumers will find it in a Gov Gab entry.
USA.gov
Web: USA.gov
The official Web portal for the U.S. government, USA.gov links you to government
representatives, services and information at the federal, state and local level.
You can get easy-to-understand information from the government 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. Similar information is posted in Spanish at
GobiernoUSA.gov.
Center for the Study of Services
733 15th Street, NW, Ste. 820
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-347-7283 / Fax: 202-347-4000
Web: www.checkbook.org
This nonprofit organization publishes information and services to help you choose
and get the best price when making purchases, such as automobiles, major appliances,
audio-video equipment, doctors, hospitals and healthcare plans. In the Boston,
Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco and St. Paul/Minneapolis
areas, a subscription to CHECKBOOK magazine will give you information on many local
services, such as auto repair, cell phones, plumbers and banks.
Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. (CU)
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703-1057
Phone: 914-378-2000 / Fax: 914-378-2900
Web: www.consumerreports.org
CU is a nonprofit, independent consumer organization that researches and tests goods
and services such as automobiles, appliances, food, clothing, luggage, and insurance.
Some of the information is free via the Internet, radio and television. Print
publications including subscriptions to the monthly Consumer Reports magazine must
be purchased.
Consumer World
Web: www.consumerworld.org
Consumer World is a public service website with links to hundreds of consumer
resources available on the Internet. You will find consumer news, product reviews and
shopping bargains. Directories provide contact information and web links for many
corporations and government agencies.
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture has been a source of consumer information and assistance
for decades. With an educator in nearly every county, Cooperative Extension brings
the research-based knowledge of the land grant universities directly to families and
communities. Programs cover food and nutrition, housing, gardening, budgeting, using
credit, saving for retirement, and more. To locate your county office, check the blue
pages of your phone book or visit www.csrees.usda.gov
and click on About Us, then Partnerships.
Libraries
Publications from many of the organizations mentioned below can be found at public
libraries. Some university and private libraries also allow individuals to use their
reference materials. Check your local telephone directory for the location of
libraries near you.
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