- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Research Guides
- Consumer Science
- Consumer Advocacy
Consumer Science : Consumer Advocacy
Federal Consumer Protection Offices
- Bureau of Consumer Protection - Federal Trade Commission (FTC)The Bureau of Consumer Protection works to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace.
- Food and Drug AdministrationThe FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration"… responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes." Provides news, and information on car and people safety and on specific traffic safety subjects such as air bags, crash tests, school buses.
- Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC)A "one-stop source for answers to questions about consumer problems and government services." Many useful publications and links.
- Federal Reserve Board Consumer InformationCredit Cards, Mortgages, Vehicle Leasing, Complaints about a Bank, Consumer Credit, Personal Finance
National Consumer Organizations
- Consumer ActionA national non-profit education and advocacy organization committed to financial literacy and consumer protection.
- Consumer Federation of AmericaOver 300 nonprofit organizations from throughout the nation are members in this advocacy, research, education, and service organization.
- Consumers Union"… the consumer advocacy web site of Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. This site provides informative and educational materials developed by Consumers Union's advocacy offices on a variety of consumer issues." Also in Spanish.
- National Consumers League" Our mission is to identify, protect, represent, and advance the economic and social interests of consumers and workers. The National Consumers League is a private, nonprofit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. We are the nation's oldest consumer organization."
- Public Citizen"We fight for openness and democratic accountability in government, for the right of consumers to seek redress in the courts; for clean, safe and sustainable energy sources; for social and economic justice in trade policies; for strong health, safety and environmental protections; and for safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs and health care."
National Laws and Legal Resources
- FindLaw.comA set of legal resources on the Internet for legal professionals, businesses, students and individuals. These resources include Web search utilities, cases and codes, legal news.
- Legal Information InstituteA research and electronic publishing activity of the Cornell Law School this site summarizes recent law events and provides overviews of a variety of legal topics.
- National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)Works toward "helping consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers use powerful and complex consumer laws on behalf of low-income and vulnerable Americans."
Wisconsin Consumer Protection Offices
- Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Consumer ProtectionResponsibility in areas of food safety, consumer protection laws with broad authority to regulate business practices and agricultural development and resource management. Site includes consumer information and how to make a complaint, alerts and recalls, and more.
Wisconsin Laws and Legal Resources
- Family Economic Security - Laws Impacting Family FinancesSteenbock Library/UW Cooperative Extension site on a variety of family financial legal issues.
- Legal ExplorerState Bar of Wisconsin guide to navigating Wisconsin's legal system. Has sections on finding a lawyer, Q & A for frequently asked questions, and more.
- Wisconsin Dept. of Financial Institutions: Bureau of Consumer AffairsInformation on Wisconsin consumer credit including credit cards, credit reports and the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
- Wisconsin State Law Library - Legal TopicsExtensive site covering legal topics A to Z. Includes links to applicable Wisconsin and US laws and legal forms as well as links to selected resources.