Be an informed consumer. Keep your family safe. Save money. Don't get scammed or ripped off. Know your rights. Below are many sites that will help you do all that and more.
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AutoByTel
- Get the best, no-haggle, price quote for your next new car, truck or SUV, including accessories, interior and exterior, online, no hassles.
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Auto Safety & Crash Test Results - From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Find out just how safe your car, truck or SUV is. Good to know about your current vehicle, or before you buy your next one. Also, information on auto recalls, air bags, child safety, and much more. Check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety too.
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Autos...Should I BUY or LEASE? - Find out what the difference is before you lay any money down. Español.
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Better Business Bureau - Business reliability reports, dispute resolution, charity reviews and more.
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CD Rates - Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are a very safe, conservative way to earn
interest on money that you will be needing to use shortly (for example, if you are retired) and cannot afford ANY risk of losing the money. Did you know that you have
more options than just placing your money at a local bank? Check out BankRate for the interest rates of banks all over the US, as they really DO vary widely.
Experts recommend "laddering" your CDs (Dividing your money among 3mo, 6mo, 1yr, 2yr, etc. CDs) so as to get a better average rate, but not locking you in for so long
that if interest rates rise, you can't change to enjoy higher rates.
KEEP IN MIND: 1) Make sure the bank is FDIC (for Banks and Savings & Loans)
or NCUA (for Credit Unions) insured. 2) Remember, you are ONLY insured up to $100,000 per account holder, per institution. So when you approach that amount, it's
time to open an account in a TOTALLY DIFFERENT BANK. 3) CDs typically renew themselves automatically at the end of their term (3mo, 6mo, etc.), and often at
WORSE rates! Be aware of this and make your arrangements well BEFORE they come to term! 4) You WILL be penalized for early withdrawal (before the end of the CDs term)
FDIC - Read about them. Is YOUR bank insured?
NCUA - Read about them. Is YOUR credit union insured?
NIC - National Information Center of the Federal Reserve. Find out the financial condition of your bank or S&L.
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Class Action Suits - Current suits that may affect you, and that you should know about. For many others, see Big Class Action.
Canadian Drug Importation - Class action status is being sought in a lawsuit filed against the U.S. government, Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration in regards to the reimportation of medications from Canada. The suit alleges that the government is unconstitutionally prohibiting the plaintiffs from purchasing drugs available at lower prices in Canada in the United States through the use of federal laws and regulations.
City of Seattle - A class action lawsuit has been approved against the city of Seattle on behalf of between 10,000 and 20,000 people whose cars were seized under a Seattle impound law between March 2000 and December 2002.
Dept of Homeland Security - The suit was filed on behalf of a nationwide class of thousands of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who were denied proof of their lawful status, or "green cards" despite the fact that they had been granted lawful permanent resident status by Immigration Judges or by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
NutraSweet Corporation - The suit alleges that the chemical sweetener aspartame, which is found in more than 5,000 food products and in all soft drinks sold in the United States, is hazardous to the health of humans.
Stimson Forestex Hardboard Siding - Stimson Series 400 or 500 hardboard siding (Forestex hardboard siding) used after Jan 1, 1985, which can fall apart prematurely.
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Community Services - Community Service Organizations in the Rainier Valley and Seattle, and the services and programs they provide. Seattle area emergency shelters and food banks.
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Consumer Critiques - See what other consumers say about different products and businesses before you buy.
Planet Feedback - This site accepts your compliment or complaint letters directed at various companies, posts them on the site, then forwards them to the company of concern, for them to respond to. Catagories include Travel, Computers & Electronics, Autos, Shopping, Food, Financial, Utilities and much more.
Rip-Off Report - This site was created for everyday consumers who are concerned about being cheated. The Rip-Off Report allows YOU, the consumer, to be armed with
the opinions and comments of your fellow consumers. Be shocked, be dismayed, but most of all, be informed.
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Consumer Information & Help
Consumer.gov - Very inclusive web site covering a host of consumer protection subjects: Product safety & recalls, nutrition, food recalls, health care, energy, environment, safety, weather info, banking & credit, and child safety...to name just a few.
Consumer Affairs - An independent Web-based consumer news and resource center. Topics include: Automotive, business, class actions, charities, education & training, finance, insurance, health, house & home, travel, and more.
Consumer Product Safety Commission - Unsafe and recalled products. Read about, or report your own.
Consumer Reports - Free highlights from their print version magazine.
Consumer WebWatch - This site's mission is to investigate, inform, and improve the credibility of information published on the World Wide Web.
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Counterfeit Money - How to detect counterfeit money. From the US Treasury.
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Credit Reports - It is important for you to know what is in your Credit Report. Bad credit, errors or false entries can lead to you being denied credit cards, a loan for a house or auto, or even deny you from renting an apartment or getting a job. Find out what banks and lenders know about you. These sites tell you how to correct errors, what lenders look for, and how to build a sterling credit record.
CreditReporting - Find out what's on your credit report and learn how to correct any errors.
myFICO - Free FICO Credit Score estimator. Find out your Credit Score, which lenders use in
deciding whether you get a loan or not, or whether you get a 6% or 10% rate of interest. This is different than your Credit Report, but just as important.
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Crime - Information, Statistics, Victim Help
Crime Comparisons - Compare crime rates between cities in the US or Canada.
Crime Information - Tips from the Seattle Police Dept. Keeping kids safe, personal safety tips, safety tips for home & business, preventing car break-ins, and much more.
Crime Statistics - Seattle neighborhood crime statistics. (PDF)
Crime Victims Help - National Center for Victims of Crime: The nation's leading resource and advocacy organization for crime victims. They provide direct services and resources for victims of crime through collaboration with local, state, and federal partners.
Identity Theft - FTC web site with information about identity theft. How to protect yourself. What to do if it happens to you.
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CRIMESTOPPERS - Pays up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest and filing of charges on: Location of stolen property, wanted persons, illegal drugs, or any other serious crime.
Seattle/King, Kitsap & Snohomish Counties
Related Sites
America's Most Wanted - The TV Show site.
Cyber Criminals Most Wanted - The first one-stop cybercrime awareness, prevention and safety website. Topics include: Internet & investing frauds, online safety, scams, spam and hoaxes.
Fugitive Hunter - US Most Wanted
King County Sheriff's Unsolved Cases
US Marshal's Most Wanted
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Debt Relief - Cut your debt in half! Debt Relief can get your finances under control and help eliminate your debt. Lower My Bills.
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E-mail Scams & Fraud - See Scams below.
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Employment - Click here for thousands of job listings.
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Employee Rights - From the National Employee Rights Institute.
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Energy-Saving Home Tips - See what you can do to save money on your heating, electrical and other utility bills. Another site. A third site. A fourth site.
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FirstGov.gov - Your 1-stop site for nearly all things relating to the Government. Browse by topic. Everything imaginable. Check it out!
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FTC - From the Federal Trades Commission. Site covering general consumer protection, antitrust law enforcement and the "Freedom Of Information Act", among other topics.
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Fuel Economy - Gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks. Find the cheapest gasoline prices across America. Gas mileage tips, and more.
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Government Benefits
Government Benefits - The official government benefits website. A free, confidential tool that helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Government Owes You Money? - The federal or state government could owe you cash. Check failed banks, credit unions, pensions, mortgage refunds, tax refunds, unclaimed property.
Benefits CheckUp - Missing Out on Benefits? Benefits CheckUp helps find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. Fill out a simple questionnaire to find programs that can assist you or your loved ones. From The National Council on the Aging
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Health Inspection Reports - For restaurants, grocery stores and other establishments where food is handled. Check whether your favorite eatery or store failed, and what were the reasons.
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Home Mortgages - Mortgage rates are at their lowest in 40 years. If you are currently paying 8+%, it may be time to think about refinancing. Check out the following sites and you may save yourself hundreds of dollars per month. Mortgage Glossary. Also see Credit Reports above.
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BankRate - Lists the mortgage rates throughout the country, as well as CD and other interest rates.
Home Ownership Advocates - Attend a FREE 5 hour homebuyer education class. Find out how to finance, find and purchase a home.
Mortgage Calculators - Fannie Mae's True Cost calculator will give you a good idea of what your actual mortgage payments will be. Compare the costs and benefits between 2 different loans.
Mortgage Qualification Calculator - Find out how large of a mortgage you can qualify for.
Refinancing - Should you refinance? Interest rates may be lower than ever, but when you add in the new bank fees, points, new appraisals and inspections, other fees and costs, will you actually save anything? Use these free calculators from Smart Money
to find out.
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Identity Theft - See Crime above.
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Law
Law Research - See Legal Self-Help on Do-It-Yourself Page.
Washington State Bar Association - Lawyer Directory
Recent Lawyer Disciplinary Notices
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Long Distance Collect - We've all seen the 10-10 ads. Alf may be cute and fuzzy, but does he have the best "call collect" phone rates? Check here and see.
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Lower My Bills - Enter a few pieces of information, and this company may be able to lower your bills
on Insurance, Internet Access, Long Distance, Credit Cards, Mortgages, etc.
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Military Relief Organizations - Helping soldiers, active & retired, and their dependants. Provides food, educational funding, counseling and emergency loans and grants. Also see Veterans below.
Navy - Marine Corps Relief Society
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Missing Children - National Center For Missing And Exploited Children. Search through photos. How you can help. Success stories. Also see: Polly Klaas Foundation.
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Mortgages - See Home Mortgages above.
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Online Shopping Fraud - See Scams below.
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Paycheck Calculators - Check the accuracy of your take-home pay. IRS Form W4
(withholding) assistance calculator. Many other planning and estimating tools and calculators. Worth a look.
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Electronic Privacy Information Center - This site compiles news about recent privacy-related court cases, and keeps you up-to-date about pending legislation that could affect your privacy.
Privacy - Tips and tools to keep your private information just that, private, online or off.
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Product Recalls - Product Safety
Auto Safety & Crash Test Results - From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Find out just how safe your car, truck or SUV is. Good to know about your current vehicle, or before you buy your next one. Also, information on auto recalls, air bags, child safety, and much more. Check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety too.
Consumer.gov - Very inclusive web site covering a host of consumer protection subjects: Product safety & recalls, nutrition, food recalls, health care, energy, environment, safety, weather info, banking & credit, and child safety...to name just a few.
Consumer Product Safety Commission - Unsafe and recalled products. Read about, or report your own.
Safety Alerts - Safety related product recall information. Current and archived information in the following categories: Food, Auto, Toys, Furniture, Outdoor, Food
Allergy, Household, Car Seats, Cosmetics, Sports, Drugs, Infant/Child, Electrical, Clothing & Appliances - all in one place.
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Public Citizen - Founded by Ralph Nader. A national non-profit public interest oganization protecting health, safety and democracy.
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Public Records - Search Systems is a database of links for public records websites, most free, but some for a fee.
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Ready.gov - Information and preparation tips for terrorist attacks. How to make emergency supply kits, plans of action, and information about biological, chemical and nuclear attacks.
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Real Estate Disclosure - This site demonstrates the legal problems that can ensue when full disclosure is not made when selling real estate: To the sellers, to the agents, and others. Actual court decisions are included.
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Recalls - See Product Recalls above.
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Renters Help - See Tenants & Renters Information below.
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Salary.com - Find out what the going rate is for your current or hoped-for position or job.
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Sex Offender Search - (King County) - Protect your family by being informed about who is living in your area. Search by Name or Zip Code. Also see: Sexual Offenders Nationwide Resource Center.
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Scams - Common scams, what to do about them and who to report them to. How to protect yourself.
Consumer Affairs - Dozens of scams and rip-offs to watch out for, and the classic pitch lines they use to separate you from your money.
Cyber Criminals Most Wanted - The first one-stop cybercrime awareness, prevention and safety website. Internet scams.
E-mail Scams - Forward this e-mail and Disney (or Microsoft) will donate 10¢ to charity (or send you $25 for each person you send it to). Dear Friend, I am the son of an executed Nigerian leader, and I have $13,000,000 in an account, which, if you help me get it out of the country, I will give you 10%. These, and other e-mail frauds are exposed at Truth or Fiction.
Entrepreneur - 17 business scams to avoid at all costs.
National Security Institute - Alerts and information.
Online Shopping Fraud - The FTC received about 51,000 complaints regarding online-auction scams in 2002, representing about $37 million in losses. Find out how to protect yourself, or file a complaint here.
Scam Busters - Helps you stay up-to-date on the latest scams making the rounds. Free update e-newsletter.
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Taxes
File Your Income Tax Online For Free - The IRS has set up this site to direct you to companies that will allow you to file your income tax online for free. Check site to see if you are eligible.
IRS Tax Forms - You can find, download, and print out all of your tax forms from the IRS site, both business and personal.
Paycheck Calculators - Check the accuracy of your take-home pay. IRS Form W4 (withholding) assistance calculator. Many other planning and estimating tools and
calculators. Worth a look.
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Telemarketer Zap - Those phone devices you've seen on TV that stop telemarketers
from calling actually do work. How they do it is by playing what's called an SIT (Special-Information Tone) tone that tells the automated dialers that telemarketers use,
that the line is no longer in service, and to delete the number from their database. You can record that tone to your answering machine or voice-mail, just before your outgoing
message and it will accomplish the same feat. Here are some sites that allow you to record the tone: Site 1, Site 2, Site 3. (Try refreshing the page when you are ready to
record the tone) Also see the blue box at the top of this page regarding the new FTC site where you can have your phone number removed from telemarketer lists.
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Tenants Union - The Tenants Union is a non-profit, membership-based organization that provides information to Washington State tenants and fights for stronger tenants' rights. Your rights as a renter.
First Time Renter Tips - Have bad credit or pets?
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Veterans - Also see Military Relief Organizations above.
GI Bill Info - Served in the Military? Get Up To $50,000 for College! Free info.
POW Benefits - VA seeks former POWs for possible benefit awards of disability compensation and other services. See article.
VA Loans - Veterans and Service Members: Buy or Refinance with a VA Loan. It's not too late. Rates are still low!
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Video Game Ratings - Find out the ratings and the reason for the rating (Violence, Blood and Gore, etc.) of popular video games before you purchase them for your children.
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TheRainierValley.com™
A Seattle Neighborhood Web Portal
