See all 529 Results for Consumer Services

Programs that provide for the education and protection of individuals who buy products and services for personal use. Included are programs that establish and enforce consumer protection, fair trade and other regulatory legislation; provide information and/or counseling to help consumers manage their finances, make informed credit and purchasing decisions, and understand their tax obligations and pay their taxes; and/or ensure that consumers have access to fair hearings, mediation or binding arbitration and appropriate remedies when they have complaints.

Programs that provide information and guidance for consumers who need assistance in managing their financial resources, evaluating competitive products and services and choosing the most favorable option, understanding their rights as consumers and seeking redress when they believe their rights have been violated.

Programs that protect individuals and organizations, including commercial entities, from fraudulent or unfair trade or credit practices or unsafe or poor quality goods and services through the enactment of protective legislation, the enforcement of laws and regulations relating to trade in the marketplace, the establishment and application of licensing, certification and accreditation standards to regulate the activities of businesses and service providers, and the review of professional and business practices to assure compliance with accepted standards.

Programs that provide assistance for people who want to build personal wealth, obtain credit and use it responsibly, access their credit reports and correct erroneous information, pay their bills in an orderly way, reduce their debt burden and/or manage their financial resources more effectively. The objective of money management programs is to help individuals and families become more financially stable and achieve long-term economic independence.

Organizations that assess and collect taxes from individuals, businesses, corporations and other entities; supply copies of appropriate tax forms and tax relief application documents; provide information and guidance on an individual or group basis for people who need to understand the implications of the tax laws for individuals in their situation; help people prepare and file their annual tax returns; and/or provide assistance to people who want to appeal an assessment or prepare for an audit.