Your agency will also be featured in the Consumer Action Handbook , one of the most popular Federal publications ever published, with more than 9 million copies requested since 1979. Congressional offices, state and local government agencies, and libraries nationwide use the Handbook as one of their most trusted and frequently used consumer resources. Although the majority of the publications handled through FCIC are developed by Federal agencies alone, FCIC also handles publications that are developed cooperatively by several Federal agencies or by government working with private industry. FCIC is authorized to accept money from the private sector to assist with the costs of these publications. Consumers can read, print out, or save the full text of all the publications listed in the Consumer Information Catalog in multiple formats.
Users can also find great information on a wide range of topics.
Additional web features include the latest product recalls and scams, updates of consumer news items from Federal agencies, and a calendar of consumer-related events. The Consumer Action Handbook is also available online, and is the FCIC publication most frequently downloaded from the web site. The Federal Consumer Information Center operates a toll-free National Contact Center that answers questions individuals have about Federal agencies, programs and services. At all other times, automated messages are available. The specially trained staff takes orders for publications, and either directly answers questions about all aspects of the Federal government or provides callers with the most appropriate contact.