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 | ||
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 | ||
Birth/Death Certificates | DOH | |
BUSINESS LICENSING | ||
Business | DCA, SOS, DOH, DMV, NYSDOT, DOE |
|
CIVIC RIGHTS | ||
Discrimination | CHR, DHR, DCA, FTC, NAACP | |
Voting | BOEL | |
CONTESTS & SWEEPSTAKES | ||
Contests & Sweepstakes | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
ELDER SERVICES | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
Adoption | DCA, SOS | |
Day Care | DOH, BDC | |
Schools | BOE, DOH | |
FINANCIAL | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
Appliances | BBB, CPSC, DCA | |
Defective Merchandise | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
Furniture | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
Warranties | BBB, DCA, FTC | |
HOUSING | ||
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 | ||
Immigration & Naturalization | INS | |
INSURANCE | ||
Unemployment Insurance | DOI, III | |
LEGAL | ||
Arbitration | AAA, LAS , LSNYC | |
Legal Referral Service | ABCNY | |
Pro Bono Legal Services | LAS , LSNYC, SHIELD | |
Small Claims Court | SCC | |
MAIL & PACKAGES | ||
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 | ||
Moving | BBB, DCA, NYSDOT | |
Storage Facilities | BBB, DCA | |
PUBLIC BENEFITS | ||
Food Stamps | HRA, FDA, LAS | |
Public Benefits | HRA, SSA | |
TELEPHONE RELATED | ||
Telemarketing Problems | BBB, DCA, NYAG, FTC | |
Telephone Problems | PSC | |
TRANSPORTATION & TRAVEL | ||
Buses/ Subways | DOT, MTA | |
Taxis | TLC | |
Travel | BBB, DOA | |
TOURISM | ||
Sight Seeing Buses | DCA | |
Travel | BBB, DCA, NYAG, DOA | |
UTILITIES | ||
Gas & Electric | CPB, DCA, PSC, NYPIRG | |
Water | DOH, DEP, PSC |
Organizations & Phone Numbers