GSA Federal Citizen Information Center USA.gov/consumerCONTRIBUTORS (ete genet ‘nth of he Gone Saves dna A) ef Caen Series ae Sortie Tecpel acme yah 7%3 Concer hon neon. Fe rad UMNGWeUy io Whaetoue Otc of onan Ato anseeetoesD Congreso GSA ‘per neltontookhetbg tenner te out apt opp concn pusteatone mnuiahiemy mace va ow neta hae ects ote natnta make ees cobs User toi th adios spas yor sae comping ern fe Te Consumer Aon Haroon You can say ira wh eed ‘ean rntan You i ave wa a ea tp nea Senor guste Vel USA gor ard Gxt or Sanh ok Span NED fen 4 fr pst eoremou eatin, Youcan ceo Sond Sta ancbalige ne eon ects ou caboak et Shgoe) Tor inetorsemsoaor shea Maiti sal : f SR cage ese ‘The Federal Citizen Information Center would like to express its gratitude to the partners listed below who helped make possible the publication of the 2079 Consumer Action Handbook. American Cleaning Institute Federal Trade Commission American Express Company Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ‘American Financial Services Association Kellogg Company Education. Foundation Money Management International The Colgate-Palmolive Company National Futures Association Consumer Product Safety Commission The Procter & Gamble Company Department of Veterans Affairs Securities and Exchange Commission Fantraedonera. Society of Consumer Afiairs Professionals Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation InternationalDecember 14,2012 Welcome wo the Consumer Action Handbook Millions of Americans use financial products, olan ret cas, mortgages, and tant loa, oy the foundstion fra bate tomorrow foc themselves ad thee aie, These tools lp bring shared apiations Within each and empower countess inividualso eam an ebcation, afford ame, oe mise childen. Ye, iesponsibl lending and decepive Practices pos serio sk fo consuners, and my Adminsaion remain very Americ at aces the nfo ad ‘sources tha alow tem to operate safely and smarty nthe marketplace, “This annual handbook sone of thse resources, providing consumers with infomation eset to making Fnac decisions on everything rr purchasing home and paying fo eollegew securing eats care and ‘rocting one’s privacy when shopping online. This books practical {hie for both te complex and he rutin sees consumers encoun, sd encourage all Americans oaks advantage ofthis valet. ce jess ‘olor to he 2013 eon fhe Consumee Acton Hancbook. Each ya the US. GonoralSenicesAdmnistatons (GA) Ot of Citzen Senses and Iovate ‘Tocivlopios updates his vesoutc nh consumer testo hap youn your Gaye, 's tne dices prchaing aponcy fr he Goverment, GSA wndertan the Importance of mexinzing you budge and gating te ost vaue on purchases. Tho racteal vernon inthe ConsrerAcbor Handbook ea ol outdo the sae fen yu ae out shopping With pls ranging om cea, nb payments, athe [sos rads, ne Handbook adossos tape Ica let your wat. ‘The Hancok also aviation wth erste features usa gorau "np tat you tke adentage of hs Handieok and tana provides ioe, an Tangri ‘alng Administer