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IMPORTANT: Home Access to the available databases on this page now requires a Patchogue-Medford Library card. You will be prompted to enter the barcode from your card.
ConsumerReports.org
Description: ConsumerReports.org features all content that's in the current magazine issue plus
a searchable archive of past reports published within the past 4 years. It includes
product and service Ratings and recommendations. The reports online and in the magazine
are essentially the same, but adapted for optimal online presentation. Many reports
have updated Ratings information, reflecting changes in the availability of products since the report was first published.
Updates: Daily.
Cars.com
Comprehensive site for those looking to purchase a new or used vehicle. Used cars can be searched by
make and model and there are extensive, illustrated reviews of new models. The site also provides
information on financing a car and car care and repair.
CarInfo.com
This Web site features Car Information provided by consumer advocate Mark Eskeldson,
author of What Car Dealers Don't Want You to Know and What Auto Mechanics
Don't Want You to Know. The author reveals secrets on how to get the best deal
when buying or leasing a car or when having your auto repaired.
Defensive Driving Course Sponsors
Listing of organizations that sponsor Defensive Driving courses (PIRP) in New York State.
Edmunds Automobile Buyers Guide
New car prices, reviews and extensive advice on purchasing new and used cars. Retail and trade-in
prices for used cars from 1990 on.
Fuel Economy Guide
Features updated fuel economy data for new and used passenger vehicles dating back to 1985, allows
side-by-side vehicle comparisons, and offers fuel-saving tips. Also includes vehicle-specific air pollution
emissions information and safety ratings.
Green Vehicle Guide
Comparison ratings based on fuel efficiency for all cars in the 2003 model year. From the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Vehicle crash test results. Information on highway safety topics. Breakdown of U.S. automotive fatalities by
various categories. Online publications and newsletter. Institute is solely funded by the automobile insurance
industry.
Kelly Blue Book
Used car prices from 1980 with a detailed and user friendly index. New car prices and reviews. Prices for used
motorcycles, personal watercraft, and snowmobiles.
Keys to Vehicle Leasing
A guide to understanding the car leasing process. Includes definitions, a consumer checklist, and a sample lease
form.
N.A.D.A.- National Automobile Dealer's Association
Used car prices from 1981. New car prices. Prices for classic cars from 1930 to 1980. Used and new
prices for boats, aircraft, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft,
and ATVs. Information on automobile auctions available by paid subscription, searches for information on
manufactured housing done on per fee basis.
New York State Automobile Insurance Information For
Consumers
Ranking of complaints against auto insurance companies. Consumer Guide to
Automobile Insurance. Buying auto insurance on the Internet. Collision
damage waivers and rental vehicle coverage: Q & A. How to request no fault
arbitration.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Online Office
Conduct motor vehicle transactions online. Schedule road tests. Motor vehicle information. Drivers manual
online in English and Spanish.
New York State Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)
Completion of defensive driving (PIRP) course provides driver with both point reduction on drivers
license and 10% reduction on selected auto insurance premiums. Site features complete information and FAQs
on the program and a link to organizations that offer Defensive Driving courses.
Primer on Gasoline Prices
Provides an explanation of the retail pricing of gasoline and why prices fluctuate from region to region.
From the Department of Energy.
SaferCar.gov
A U.S. government web site from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with
materials on car safety, including crash and rollover test results, defect reports and recalls,
and tire ratings. An alternative crash safety test site is the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Vehicle Repossession Facts for Consumers
Fact sheet on consumers' rights and responsibilities if they default on an auto lease or loan.
American Institute of Philanthropy -- Top Rated Charities
Listing of charities which receive a high rating from the AIP.
Charity Navigator
This site rates nonprofit charities' use of their funds. Searchable by keyword, category,
or region.
Give.org
Lists current Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance reports on charities and other
soliciting organizations.
How Charities Spend the Money they Receive
Database covers charities that solicit in New York State. Sources of each charity's
income are detailed. Charts shows what percentage of money received goes to the actual
program and what percentage goes to management and fundraising.
Pennies for Charity: Where your money goes
Produced by the New York State Attorney General's Office. The annual report of telemarketing
campaigns in New York, is compiled to show members of the public how much of the money
they contribute in response to telemarketers’ solicitation actually supports charitable programs. In addition, charitable organizations may consult this report - before, during or after engaging professional fundraisers - to evaluate fundraiser's performance. This year’s report is based on financial reports filed by professional fundraisers for campaigns conducted during 2005.
What's the Charity Doing with Your Money?
Forbes magazine survey of 200 major charities. Has statistics on each charity's
charitable committment, fundraising efficiency, and donor committment. Requires the Adobe
Acrobat Reader software to view the report.
Better Business Bureau
Free online reports of companies from selected regions of the country. Long Island's companies aren't presently included in BBB's database
but New York City businesses are. The section on charitable giving lists specific standards which charities fail to meet, any legal actions taken against
the charity and where their money is allocated.
Consumer WebWatch
A new site from Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, designed to rate
online consumer web sites. The site has news reports on news and issues of concern to online consumers.
Consumer WebWatch has set up ratings guidelines and a point system to evaluate online shopping sites.
Sites will be rated on policies (i.e. privacy, shipping, return), usability, and content. Currently ratings are available
for electronics, computers and software, and appliances. More categories and sites will be added in the future.
Consumer World
Comprehensive directory of over 2000 links to consumer products and information. Find product ratings,
price comparisons, government consumer web sites. Online magazine for consumers.
Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs
Online database of home improvement contractors and other occupations licensed by
the county. Chart comparing fees and services offered by Suffolk County banks.
Downloadable version of consumer complaint form.
Suffolk County Department of Health Restaurant Inspection Information
Listing of the last time a restaurant was inspected, whether there were any violations, what the violations
were and the public health significance of the violation. Only the last inspection performed is available. Database
begins in 2002. Searchable by name of restaurant or town where the establishment is located. Can also search by
using the partial name of a restaurant.
Suffolk County (NY) Prescription Drug Cost Comparison
This comparative survey displays the price, from most competitive to least competitive, of the 25 prescription drugs most used by
senior citizens. The survey will be updated four times per year. Participation by
pharmacies is voluntary. The survey requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader software to display.
The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
File consumer complaints online. Parking garage price guide. Online consumer publications.
Consumer Issues (Office of New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer)
Provides plenty of information and consumer tips on a wide range of issues
affecting consumers. Covers such consumer related topics as automoblies,
charities, Internet, credit and lending, health, housing, identity theft, investing, and telecommunications.
Complaints for Other Agencies
The New York State Attorney General lists web sites and phone numbers of
agencies that handle complaints outside their jurisdiction. Also useful as a listing of state, city and county agencies and their areas
of responsibility.
"Do Not Call" Telemarketing Registry of New York State
New state law makes it illegal for most telemarketers to call once your name appears on registry.
Site has online and mailable registration forms, information on filing complaints, section on frequently
asked questions and a guide for consumers.
Health Care
Health care information and news for consumers.
New York State Consumer Protection Board
Consumer Law Help Manual offers easily accessible legal information on a variety of
consumer topics. Site allows consumers to file complaints electronically.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Online Office
Conduct motor vehicle transactions online. Schedule road tests. Motor vehicle information. Drivers manual
online in English and Spanish.
New York State Education Department's Online License Verification
Database of professions licensed by the State of New York. Information available includes
licensee's number, city of residence, date of licensure and registration status. Each profession's
database is searchable by either practicioner's name or license number.
New York State Index of Licensees and Registrants
Database of some of the occupations and professions that are licensed or registered by
the state of New York. Searchable by I.D. number, name or business name.
New York State Insurance Department
Basic information and guides on the various types of health, auto, small business and homeowners insurance. State rankings of HMOs, health insurers and auto insurance companies.
Price comparison tables of homeowners insurance. Listing of insurance companies licensed in New York. Guide to filing complaints with state
insurance department.
New York State Insurance Department Frequently Asked Consumer Questions
Answers to questions on life, health and auto insurance. Information on Cobra Coverage
and No-Fault Insurance.
Road Work in New York State
Listing of road work for major highways, bridges and roads for all regions in New York State.
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
Web site of the office of The U.S. Department of Transportation that handles consumer complaints on airlines.
Site includes consumer aviation news, reports on airline perfomance, and procedures for filing a complaint.
Credit and ATM Cards: What To Do If They're Lost or Stolen
Discusses what to do in case of theft and the possible liabilities that the
consumer might face. Gives useful tips on safeguarding card information.
Consumer Action Website
All of the information located in the Consumer Action Handbook is available through this site.
Federal Consumer Information Center
Links and articles on consumer issues. Section on consumer fraud. Online government pamphlets. Product recalls.
FirstGov for Consumers
A resource for consumer information from the federal government. Locate consumer news, links, and
resources by subject category.
Food and Drug Administration Home Page
News updates on current consumer topics of concern. Links to government home pages for
products FDA regulates. Section for Consumers
covers health issues, news, publications and information on products that FDA regulates.
Identity Theft Information from the Federal Trade Commission
Information on how identity thieves work. Links to state and federal laws on identity theft.
Online complaint form for victims of identity theft.
National Do Not Call Registry
Most telemarketers cannot call your telephone number if it is in the National Do Not Call
Registry. You can register your home and mobile phone numbers for free. Your registration
will be effective for five years.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Links to specific topics on automobile safety. Vehicle crash test results. Safety test information.
Vehicle and equipment recalls.
Home Price Check
View the sales of homes on a specific street for a range of addresses. Find the previous sale price of a particular house.
Compare all homes sold within a certain price range in one town. Database covers the years between 1987 and 2000.
Mortgage Calculator
Calculates monthly mortgage payments. Shows total amount of interest saved over life of the loan by prepayment of loan.
Home Buying and Selling information
Home sale prices back to 1987. Check by specific address, street or neighborhood. Extensive information for home buyers and
sellers. Mortgage rates.
Home Sales.gov
"...provides current information about single family homes for sale by the U.S. Federal Government.
These previously owned homes are for sale by public auction or other method depending on the property.
Anyone can buy a home for sale by the U.S. Government, but you must work with a real estate agent,
broker or servicing representative to submit an offer or bid. Currently the U.S. Departments of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD), Agriculture (USDA/Rural Development), and Veterans Affairs (VA) have homes listed on this site."
The New York State Insurance Department's Consumer Shopping Guide for Homeowners & Tenants Insurance
The New York State Insurance Department's "Consumer Shopping Guide for
Homeowners & Tenants Insurance" will help New Yorkers shopping for
homeowners or tenants insurance make the right choices for themselves and
their families. The Guide offers descriptions of the types of basic
policies that companies offer. Consumers will also find recommendations
for how much coverage to purchase, how to save money, and what additional
products are offered on top of the basic policies.
What you Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit
An informational page from the Federal Reserve designed to provide consumers with the knowledge they need to
decide if a home equity line of credit is right for them, or whether other options for borrowing money
may be more appropriate.
Your Path to Home Ownership -- A Guide to Owning Your Own Home
Helps in understanding the homebuying process. Contains a loan estimator, affordability calculator, and a comparison
of buying vs. renting.
Consumer's Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings for Heating and Water Heating Equipment
Efficiency ratings for furnaces and water heaters. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Consumer Guide for Buying Energy Efficient Products for the Home
Tips for consumers on purchasing and utilizing energy efficient products.
Digital TV Transition
Guide to what consumers need to know about the upcoming 2009 transition to digital television. From the
Federal Communications Commission.
Household Products Database
Links to manufacturer information and the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for hundreds of household products.
From the National Library of Medicine.
How to Clean Anything
Free cleaning hints for both inside and outside the house.
Safe at Home
"Resources for being safe at home from injuries resulting from
fires, falls, poisonings, drownings, and violence."
Stain Removal Guide
Guide for removing specific types of stains. Advice on fabric care and laundry.
Federal Citizen Information Center
U.S. government pamphlets online. Extensive variety of health and financial consumer issues covered in depth.
Consumer Action Handbook
Advice for consumers on how to find the best buy, what to do if they have a problem
with what they've bought (has sample complaint letters) and which agencies to contact for help.
Extensive listing of consumer links and government agencies.
Food and Drug Administration's Online Resources
FDA Consumer online magazine with back issues and searchable index back to 1985.
FDA publications catalog includes material from online brochures, specially written publications
and back issues of FDA Consumer. Searchable by topic and title.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Listing of publications by topic, title and general category.
Lead Hazards in the Home and their Prevention
Environmental Protection Agency brochures show consumers what they can do to protect their homes and families
from the dangers of lead. Brochures cover general information on lead in the home, reducing lead hazards when
your home is being remodeled, testing your home for lead and lead poisoning and children.
Annual Credit Report.com
"This central site allows you to request a free credit file disclosure, commonly called
a credit report, once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit
reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. AnnualCreditReport.com is the
official site to help consumers to obtain their free credit report."
Card Cops
Card Cops is a consumer protection site that attempts to expose credit card fraud and alert consumers as
to whether their credit card information has been compromised on the Internet. Consumers may search their credit card numbers
against the site's database to see if their cards have been used or discussed in chat rooms or other sites online.
The site is fully secured and the database will be updated on a regular basis.
CardRatings.com
Credit card ratings and reviews. Gives interest rates and features for various types of credit
cards. Credit card calculators. Developed by the U.S. Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms, Inc.
Identity Theft - Consumer Tips
What to do if you're victimized. Identity theft is when someone uses your personal identification information to obtain something of value.
If you have been denied credit recently, live in certain states, are a victim of fraud, or are unemployed, you may qualify for a free credit report. Click on this link for more information.
Experian
How to order your credit card report online. How to obtain a free credit report if you have
been denied credit. Online form for requesting an investigation of inaccurate items on your credit
report. Credit advice and information.
Trans Union
How to order your credit report online, by phone or mail. How to obtain a free credit report
if you have been denied credit. Online form for disputing information in your credit report.
Credit advice and information.
Equifax
How to order your credit report online. Form for starting an online investigation of items
in your credit report. FAQs (frequently asked questions) on credit. Glossary of credit terms.
Federal Consumer Information Center
Latest recalls and alerts in the categories of Automotive Products, Consumer Products, Environmental Products,
Food Products and Health products. Some recall notices contain photos of products and detailed information.
Firestone Tire Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site on the Firestone tire
recall provides both general information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Food and Drug Administration Recalls and Safety Alerts
FDA recalls and alerts for food, drugs, medical devices, animal feed and drugs, cosmetics, cell phones, microwaves, vaccines and biological products.
The past 60 days are covered. Archive goes back to 1999 and is listed in chronological order.
Food and Drug Administration's Talk Paper on Current Products
In FDA's main page, in the section on "Safety Alerts," extensive information on an item that is either under health
advisory or recall can be found.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration -- Product Recalls
Database of vehicle and equipment recalls going back to 1966. Searchable by year, model, make and region. Child safety seat recalls. School bus
recalls. General information on the recall process.
Recalls.gov
Centralized site for finding details of consumer product recalls announced by various agencies of the U.S. government.
Recall Warnings
Up-to-date recall notices and listings for consumer products. Searchable by keyword, company or product name, or
browseable by subject category. Provided by Nolo Press.
SafeChild.net Toy Recall Database
The SafeChild.net Toy Recall Database allows you to conduct almost any type of search
of 350 major toy recalls by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and/or toy
manufacturers. You can search for toy recalls based on the age of the child, the type of
hazard upon which the recall is based, the type of toy involved, the year of the recall and
the manufacturer. In many cases, pictures of the toys in question are available in the SafeChild.net
Toy Recall Database results.
Safety Alerts
Provides safety recall information and alerts for a wide range of consumer products including
automobiles, food products, appliances, and medicines. Consumers can sign up for recall alert emails.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission -- Product Recalls
Listing of current recalls. Database of recalls arranged by
product, date, manufacturer and product category. Link to
recalls on products not under Consumer Product Safety Commission
jurisdiction. Online form
allows you to receive e-mail alerts on either general products or children's
product recalls.
ConsumerReview.com
Contains user submitted product reviews for products and services, mainly outdoor sporting goods
and consumer electronics.
Consumer Search
ConsumerSearch searches Internet and print sources for reviews on consumer products.
It evaluates these reviews and selects what they feel are the best products.
Rip Off Report
Rip-off Report is a worldwide consumer reporting Website & Publication,
by consumers, for consumers, to file & document complaints about companies
or individuals who ripoff consumers.
New York's Unclaimed Funds Database
New York's unclaimed property database with searching tips and a link to frequently asked questions on
unclaimed funds. Claim information for Holocaust Survivors and heirs of Holocaust victims.
Pension Search Directory
Database of unclaimed pensions. Searchable by pensioner's name,
company name and state where company is based.
Unclaimed Property Database
State by state links to unclaimed property databases.
This page was last updated on July 28, 2006.