More Resources for Consumers
Links to organizations, services, and documents on a variety of consumer topics.
Consumer Protection
Read our Consumer Protection articles or for a more complete resource on consumer protection in New Hampshire, see the New Hampshire Consumer’s Sourcebook.
Privacy and Identity Theft
- Identity Theft – what it is, how to avoid it, and what to do if you are a victim.
- Consumer.gov – avoiding identity theft, recovering from identity theft, scams against immigrants, job scams, and money wiring scams.
- Federal Trade Commission – limiting unwanted calls and emails, computer security, kids’ online safety, protecting your identity and repairing identity theft.
- Watch videos about consumer rights and avoiding scams from the Federal Trade Commission.
- Read the National Consumer Law Center’s Preventing Identity Theft resource.
Small Claims
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch website provides information on Basic Small Claims Information, the Small Claims Collection Process, and Small Claims Mediation.
Cars
Many offers for cars are too good to be true. So are offers for financing them.
See information on the Federal Trade Commission website for consumers:
Consumer.gov has information about Cars and Car Loans.
Managing Money
- Consumer.gov – making a budget, opening a bank account, using debit cards, prepaid cards, saving money when you shop, buying and using phone cards, and sending money overseas.
- Learn the basics about managing your personal finances through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Money Smart for Adults program.
Bank accounts
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Bank Accounts and Services
- Federal Reserve Board 5 Tips: Protecting Your Checking Account
- Federal Reserve System Frequently Asked Questions About Check 21
- Federal Reserve Consumer Help How to File a Consumer Complaint About a Bank
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Protecting Yourself from Overdraft and Bounced Check Fees
- Federal Reserve Board When Is Your Check Not a Check? Electronic Check Conversion
Credit
- From the Federal Reserve: Credit Reports & Credit Scores
- Consumer.gov provides information about credit, including credit history, credit cards, and credit reports.
- The Federal Trade Commission’s Credit and Debt section covers credit, credit reports, credit and debit cards, loans, and debt.
- It’s easy to get into trouble using credit cards. Download the fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center Your Credit Card Rights to find out about your rights.
Debt
- Consumer.gov provides information about managing debt, payday loans, getting help with debt, and dealing with debt collectors.
- The Federal Trade Commission’s Credit and Debt section covers managing debt, credit repair, debt relief, and debt collection.
- The National Association of Consumer Advocates website has a directory of consumer attorneys who may represent you or answer debt-collection questions.
Bankruptcy
If you plan to file for bankruptcy protection, you must get credit counseling from a government-approved organization within 180 days before you file. You also have to complete a debtor education course before your debts can be discharged.
Loans
Student loans – National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project is a resource for borrowers, their families, and advocates representing student loan borrowers. This site is for people who already have student loans and want to know more about their options and rights.
Be wary of programs that offer small or temporary loans. The National Consumer Law Center provides information about high-cost small loans, including payday loans and overdraft loans.
Public Utilities and Energy
The New Hampshire Department of Energy has information on:
Eversource provides information about its New Hampshire Home Energy Performance program.
Help doing your taxes
- See the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers, and 603 Legal Aid’s Low-Income Taxpayer Project.
- Learn about free Tax Preparation from AARP Foundation Tax-Aide.