One of the best resources available to consumers is the Consumer Action Handbook. The Federal Citizens Information Center, which is part of the U.S. General Services Administration, publishes the guide every other year and updates the online version more frequently. Order a free copy or at least bookmark the web version on your computer.

Request your free copy by visiting www.consumeraction.gov or via telephone by calling 1-888-878-3256. The website also contains news about consumer issues and federal agencies. Moreover, the site won an award at a recent consumer conference for its information and presentation.

The staff in my office regularly turns to the Consumer Action Handbook for contact information for many corporations, automobile manufactures, state and local consumer protection offices, banking institutions, insurance companies, utilities providers and other regulators in addition to a full range of federal agencies. The first 40 pages of the 150-page handbook contain practical advice on a wide range of topics as well as useful advice about complaint filing.

Here are three Quick Consumer Tips listed in the handbook. Look for these and many others on the website or in your own copy of the Consumer Action Handbook.

• Extended warranties on service contracts are rarely worth what you pay for them.
• There is no universal three-day, cooling-off period for canceling credit card purchases.
• Say no to credit insurance offers.

The Consumer Action Handbook not only provides the mailing addresses and telephone numbers of the key corporations or agencies to contact for problems or complaints, but it also offers sample letters for guidance. Promoting self-help advice and smart purchasing practices is important to advocates and educators, so let the Consumer Action Handbook help you be educated and informed this year.

Schlaver is chair of the Massachusetts Consumers’ Coalition. For information, visit their website at www.massconsumers.org or call 617-349-6152 (TTY 617-349-6148).