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Order the 2010 Consumer Action Handbook. This everyday guide to being a smart shopper is hot off the press and chock-full of helpful tips about preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, and much more. In the 2010 edition, you'll find updated information about filing for bankruptcy, finding a lawyer, and planning a funeral, along with many other useful topics.

Have a consumer question or problem? You’ve come to the right place for help. All of the information available in the Consumer Action Handbook is available right here online. Just use the left hand navigation bar to browse through the site. Here are a few pointers:

• Check out CONSUMER TOPICS to get helpful tips on specific consumer issues, like buying a car or home or preventing identity theft.
• If you have a consumer problem, use our HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT tab for a step-by-step guide to the process. You can read more about your options as a dissatisfied consumer and use the sample complaint letter to take action.
• Scroll over WHERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT to contact a specific company or your local consumer protection office or BBB.
• If you’re a teacher, a member of the military or the media, or a person with disabilities, try our SPECIFIC AUDIENCES tab.
• If you still haven’t found what you need, try WANT MORE HELP for links to other useful websites.

Think twice before you rent-to-own. Interest rates on rent-to-own purchases can be very high. If you miss a payment, you could end up with nothing. Consider buying second-hand at a thrift shop or through ads in your local newspaper.

More Quick Consumer Tips