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New York City Consumer Protection Guide
New York City Consumer Protection Guide
How to Get the Help You Need as a Consumer
Provided by
The Consumer Affairs Committee
The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
Every day, you face a variety of challenges that can affect your life as a consumer. Overcoming these challenges may depend on how well-informed you are. This brochure outlines the many organizations that can assist you in protecting your rights as a consumer. Simply select the topic area that applies to you, and reference the corresponding acronym for the organization's telephone number in the table at the end of the document.
| ANIMALS | ||
| Abandoned/Lost/Stray | DOH | |
AUTOMOBILES |
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| Insurance | DOI, III | |
| Leasing | AUTO, BBB, NYAG | |
| Purchase | AUTO, BBB, DCA, FTC |
|
| Rentals | DCA, NYAG, NYPIRG | |
| Repairs | AUTO, BBB, DMV, NYAG |
|
| Used Cars/Lemon Law | AUTO, BBB, DCA, NYAG |
|
PUBLIC RECORDS |
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| Birth/Death Certificates | DOH | |
BUSINESS LICENSING |
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| Business | DCA, SOS, DOH, DMV, NYSDOT, DOE |
|
CIVIC RIGHTS |
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| Discrimination | CHR, DHR, DCA, FTC, NAACP | |
| Voting | BOEL | |
CONTESTS & SWEEPSTAKES |
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| Contests & Sweepstakes | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
ELDER SERVICES |
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| Elder Services | NYOA | |
| Abuse | NYOA | |
| Employment | EEOC, NYOA | |
| Evictions | NYOA | |
| Healthcare/HMOs | NYOA, NYAG | |
| Nursing Homes/ Senior Centers |
DOH, HFA | |
| Public Assistance | HRA, SSA | |
| Social Security | FDIC | |
| Tax Benefits | DTF | |
| Veterans' Benefits | FDIC | |
EMPLOYMENT |
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| Business Opportunities | BBB, FTC, NYAG | |
| Discrimination | EEOC | |
| Franchises | FB, FTC, DOL | |
| Labor Disputes | DOL | |
| Unemployment | DOL | |
| Unions | NLRB | |
| Work at Home | BBB, FTC, NYAG, DOL | |
| Workers' Rights | DOL | |
ENVIRONMENT |
||
| Air | CPSC, DEP, DOH, NYPIRG | |
| Garbage | DOS | |
| Lead Poisoning | NYPIRG, HPD, DOH | |
| Noise | DEP, DOH, NYPIRG | |
| Pollution | DEP | |
| Potholes | DOT | |
| Recycling | DOH, DOS, NYPIRG | |
| Sewage | DEP, DOH | |
| Street Lights | DOT | |
| Street Cleaning | DOS | |
| Water Contamination | DEP, DOH | |
FAMILY & CHILD CARE |
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| Adoption | DCA, SOS | |
| Day Care | DOH, BDC | |
| Schools | BOE, DOH | |
FINANCIAL |
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| Accountants | DTF, IRS, ITB | |
| Banking | DCA, DOB, FDIC | |
| Bankruptcy | BUCCS | |
| Billing Disputes | BBB, BUCCS, DCA, DOB, FTC |
|
| Budgeting | BUCCS | |
| Check Cashing | DOB | |
| Credit | BBB, BUCCS, DCA, FTC |
|
| Credit Repair | BBB, BUCCS, DOB, DCA, NYAG |
|
| Debt Collection | BBB. BUCCS, DCA, FTC |
|
| Financial Services | NYAG, SEC, DOF | |
| Income Tax | DOF, DTF, FDIC, IRS, ITB |
|
| Real Estate/Property Taxes | DTF, FDIC, III | |
| Tax Preparation | DCA | |
GENERAL VENDORS |
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| Advertising | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
| Clothing/Furniture/Jewelry | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
| Dry Cleaners/Laundromats | BBB, DCA, NCA | |
| Food | DCA, DOA, DOH, FDA |
|
| Funeral Homes | DCA, DOH, FTC | |
| Layaway Programs | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
| Product Safety | CPSC, FDA | |
| Restaurants | DCA, DOA, DOH | |
HEALTH |
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| AIDS | DCA, DOH, HRA | |
| Dentists | DOH | |
| Diseases | DOH | |
| Fraud | BBB, CPB, DCA, FDA, FTC |
|
| HMOs | DOE, DOI, III | |
| Medicare | HRA, DOI | |
| Medical Devices/Equipment | BBB, FDA, FTC, NYAG | |
| Medical Services | DOH | |
| Women's Services | PPH, WH | |
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS |
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| Appliances | BBB, CPSC, DCA | |
| Defective Merchandise | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
| Furniture | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
| Warranties | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
HOUSING |
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| Housing | RHM, LAS | |
| Asbestos | CPSC, DOH | |
| Co-ops/Condos | BBB, HPD | |
| Elevators | DBU | |
| Heat/Hot Water | DOH, HPD, RHM | |
| Home Improvement | BBB, CPB, DCA, NYAG | |
| Insects/Rodents | DOH, RHM | |
| Landlord/Tenant/Rent | RHM, NYAG | |
| Mortgages | DOB, FDIC | |
| Lead Poisoning | DOH | |
| Window Guards | DOH | |
IMMIGRATION |
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| Immigration & Naturalization | INS | |
INSURANCE |
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| Unemployment Insurance | DOI, III | |
LEGAL |
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| Arbitration | AAA, LAS , LSNYC | |
| Legal Referral Service | ABCNY | |
| Pro Bono Legal Services | LAS , LSNYC, SHIELD | |
| Small Claims Court | SCC | |
MAIL & PACKAGES |
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| NYAG, USPI, USPS | ||
| Delivery Problems | USPI, USPS | |
| Pornography | USPI, USPS | |
| Fraud | BBB, USPI | |
| Mail Order | BBB, DCA, USPS | |
| Sweepstakes | BBB, NYAG | |
| Theft | USPI, USPS | |
MOVING & STORAGE |
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| Moving | BBB, DCA, NYSDOT | |
| Storage Facilities | BBB, DCA | |
PUBLIC BENEFITS |
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| Food Stamps | HRA, FDA, LAS | |
| Public Benefits | HRA, SSA | |
TELEPHONE RELATED |
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| Telemarketing Problems | BBB, DCA, NYAG, FTC | |
| Telephone Problems | PSC | |
TRANSPORTATION & TRAVEL |
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| Buses/ Subways | DOT, MTA | |
| Taxis | TLC | |
| Travel | BBB, DOA | |
TOURISM |
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| Sight Seeing Buses | DCA | |
| Travel | BBB, DCA, NYAG, DOA | |
UTILITIES |
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| Gas & Electric | CPB, DCA, PSC, NYPIRG | |
| Water | DOH, DEP, PSC | |
Organizations & Phone Numbers
