March 3rd – 9th is National Consumer Protection Week! Covering everything from debt collection to lemon laws, the library has many resources to help you learn about your rights as a consumer.  

Legal FAQs

Several of our frequently asked questions give a quick insight into some common consumer laws:

• Can a business charge a fee for using a credit or debit card instead of cash?
• I bought a used car but it doesn’t run well. What can I do?
• What does the law say about refunds and return policies in Texas?

For the full list of questions and answers, see our FAQs on Consumer Protection.

Guides

The library has several research guides that address various aspects of consumer protection. Each guide features an overview of relevant laws, a list of library resources, and additional information. 

• Our Consumer Protection guide discusses Texas and federal laws on deceptive trade practices, fraudulent advertising, credit reports, debt collection, payday loans, warranties, and more.
• Our Privacy and Personal Information guide focuses on consumer privacy. It covers laws related to identity theft, electronic data, medical records, and telemarketing.
• Our Small Claims Cases guide deals with filing cases in a small claims court. It may be of interest if you have a dispute of up to $20,000 with a merchant or a contractor and cannot resolve it peacefully.

For more guides related to consumer laws, see our Consumer Information subject guide. 

E-Resources

Our digital collection has many titles on Consumer Protection, from introductory readings to comprehensive manuals for practicing attorneys. Our e-books and databases may be accessed remotely with a free library account. Here are a few picks:

• With its practical approach and easy-to-understand language, Richard M. Alderman’s Know Your Rights! is a patron favorite. It covers a wide variety of legal problems, including contracts, warranties, and landlord and tenant law. This title is also available in print.
• For attorneys handling lawsuits under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), the Texas DTPA Forms & Practice Guide by James Publishing is a great resource with sample forms, checklists, and step-by-step guides.
• The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) database offers detailed treatment of subjects like foreclosure, mortgage lending, student loans, and automobile fraud, with a focus on federal law. Related forms are in the NCLC’s Consumer Law Pleadings database.

State Agencies

• The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles page on the Texas Lemon Law has important information on what is covered by the law and how to file a lemon law complaint with the department.
• The Texas Office of the Attorney General has a Consumer Protection page that explains how to spot and avoid scams. You can also report unlawful business practices online or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-621-0508.

Federal Agencies

• The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a federal agency that educates consumers on topics like auto loans, credit cards, payday loans, reverse mortgages, and fraud and scams. You can also use their website to submit a complaint about a financial product or service.
• The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection collects consumer reports on fraud, scams, and bad business practices to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute illegal activity. You can file a report online.
• The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime operates an Elder Fraud Hotline. Call 833-372-8311 to report a scam or fraud targeting victims 60 years of age and older.

Other Organizations

• The Better Business Bureau allows consumers to file a complaint about a business, submit a manufacturer’s warranty claim for a qualifying motor vehicle, report and track scams, and leave a review.
• The National Consumer League Fraud Center informs consumers about common scams and scam trends, such as social media impersonation, package delivery alert fraud, and counterfeit drugs. You can also file a complaint to report fraud.

As always, feel free to reach out to us if you need help finding additional information. We wish you a happy and safe National Consumer Protection Week! 

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