A company's privacy policy should disclose what information is being collected on the Web site and how that information is being used. Before you provide a company with personal information, check its privacy policy. If you can't find a policy, send an email or written message to the Web site to ask about its policy and request that it be posted on the site. Many companies give you a choice on their Web site as to whether and how your personal information is used. Look for this as part of the company's privacy policy.
Volunteers assist, educate, and solve consumer problems through free and confidential mediation.
Help is available to individuals, small businesses, and the hearing and speech impaired via text telephone. The Consumer Information Center publishes the Consumer Information Catalog, which lists more than 200 publications from a variety of federal agencies. The Direct Marketing Association is a trade association of catalogers, financial services firms, publishers, book and music clubs, online service companies, and others involved in direct and database marketing. The DMA's Mail Order Action Line acts as an intermediary between consumers and companies to resolve complaints. It can be contacted at 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20036.