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Consumer
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★ = Connects to the Catalog
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Automotive
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Automotive.com
This large auto-buying portal and consumer information website provides information on buying new and used cars, insurance and financing. For the real car enthusiast, there are articles, pictures, video on import tuners, hot rods, motorcycles as well as off-roading.
BaltimoreGasPrices.com
See where you can find the lowest gas prices in the area, as reported by the general public. Can also search for pricing information in other areas of Maryland.
Child Passenger Safety
Proper child safety seat use and other tips from the National Highway Safety Administration.
Disposal of Motor Oil / Anti-freeze / Automobile Batteries
Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) provides information on household hazardous waste recycling and disposal, including locations of facilities that accept hazardous automobile waste.
How to Buy a Car
From the Enoch Pratt Free Library's Business, Science and Technology Department. This guide will show you how to research 10 important aspects of buying a new or used vehicle.
Kelley Blue Book
Find new car prices, used car values, reviews and ratings, information about auto insurance, financing, search the used car listings or list your car to sell.
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
Registration renewal, license applications, VEIP extension, locations and hours, download forms.
NADA Guides
Find new car reviews and prices, used car values, tips and advice for buying or selling your car from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).
Safercar.gov
One-stop-shopping for information on government crash tests, recalls and defects, safety tips and how to file a complaint about a vehicle.
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Charity Check
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance produces reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations. The Alliance does not rank charities but rather seeks to assist donors in making informed judgments about charities soliciting their support.
Charitynavigator.org
America's premier independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of over 5,400 of America's largest charities.
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Computer and Technology Purchasing
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Brighthand.com
This site offers the latest News, Reviews, Information and Prices and Discussion on handhelds and smartphones of all kinds.
Dave's Guide to Buying a Home Computer
Information provided by Dave Krauss, Senior Specialist, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University. He has taught online computer courses at the university since 1995, and offers information on computer operating systems, hardware, configuration, terminology, shopping tips, and internet service providers.
Introduction to PC Hardware
Computer basics for the newcomer to the world of computers.
Reviews and Comparison Shopping
Browse or search for prices and reviews of computer hardware and software.
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Coupons
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CoolSavings.com
Free grocery coupons, online coupons, printable coupons, free offers from top brands, free samples and more
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Coupons.com
Printable coupons for many grocery store items. You need to download special printing software, but it is free.
Fatwallet.com
Free online coupons, online bargain shopping, price comparison
MySavings.com
This site provides the Web's most comprehensive directory of brand name free samples, printable grocery coupons, online coupons, and other discounts and deals. Customers can also share their money saving tips and offers.
RetailMeNot.com
Coupon codes for thousands of online stores
SalesCircular.com
A listing of advertised items compiled from newspaper inserts, weekly/monthly store circulars and junk mail. You choose a state, pick a category, and they show you a listing of sale items.
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Fraud, Scams and Identity Theft
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A Consumer Guide for Seniors [PDF]
Highlights many common scams and crimes aimed at seniors. Also provides information about living trusts, pre-need burial and funeral contracts, help with medical insurance problems, and how to stop telemarketing calls and junk mail.
Credit Card Fraud
The Maryland Office of the Attorney General provides pointers on protecting your credit cards, and what to do if they are stolen.
Credit Repair Scams
Pertinent information from the office of the Attorney General of Maryland.
Identity Theft
Information on identity theft provided by the Baltimore County Police Department.
Identity Theft Resource Center
A nonprofit organization helping people prevent and recover from identity theft.
Identity Theft: What To Do If It Happens To You
What to do if it happens to you. Tips from the Maryland Attorney General's Office.
Internet Safety and Security
A collection of important links to information on the perils of social networking sites, cyber crime; fraud alerts, on-line shopping security, spyware and other aspects of Internet safety.
National ID Watch
People can check if their Social Security number has been compromised by going to this free site. No personal information is required for the search.
Savings and Investment Scams
What to know before you invest. Tips from the Maryland Attorney General's Office.
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Hotlines
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Emergency
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Agency/Problem/Concern |
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Baltimore County Ambulance/Fire/Police |
911 |
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Baltimore County Crisis Response System |
410-931-2214 |
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Maryland State Police |
1-800-525-5555 |
National Response Center
Report chemical and oil spills, chemical and biological terrorism |
1-800-424-8802 |
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Natural Gas mell/leaks (BGE) |
410-685-0123 |
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Poisoning/Suspected Poisoning - Maryland Poison Center |
1-800-222-1222 |
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Sanitary Sewer Problems |
410-887-7415 |
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Storm and Snow Emergency |
410-887-3560 |
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Suicide Prevention - Md. Youth Crisis Hotline |
1-800-422-0009 |
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Water Main Breaks - Water Maintenance Div, Baltimore City |
410-396-5352 |
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Non-Emergency
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Agency/ Problem/Concern |
Phone Number |
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Air Quality updates |
410-631-3247 |
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Baltimore County Police (non-emergencies) |
410-887-2222 |
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DOT Auto Safety Hotline (recall info, safety issues) |
1-888-327-4236 |
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Illegal Firearms, reporting of (B. Co. Police) |
410-887-GUNS |
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Household Hazardous Waste Disposal and Recycling |
410-887-4066 |
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Maryland Secretary of State - Charitable Giving Registry |
1-800-825-4510 |
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Miss Utility - Call before you dig |
1-800-257-7777 |
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Power Outages (BGE) |
1-877-778-2222 |
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Tenant Landlord Dispute - Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc |
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Tenant Complaints |
410-243-6007 |
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Discrimination Complaints |
410-243-4400 |
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Weather Updates (Weatherline) |
410-662-9925 |
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Legal Help and Financial Assistance
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AnnualCreditReport.com
This official central site allows you to request one free credit report per year from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies.
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BenefitsCheckup.org
Learn about state and federal assistance programs you may be eligible for. From the National Council on Aging.
Consumer Law site - BCPL Law Center
Legal information and links on the Baltimore County Public Library's Government and Law InfoCenter.
Credit Reports
How to get a free credit report. A publication of the Enoch Pratt Free Library
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Energy Star
Maryland residents may qualify for sales tax exemptions or income tax credits when purchasing certain high-efficiency Energy Star appliances. This is an EPA program.
Federal Trade Commission - Your Access to Free Credit Reports
Information and answers to the most common questions about obtaining copies of your credit report from the consumer credit reporting agencies
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Maryland Vital Records
Obtain certified copies of Birth, Death, and Marriage certificates, for events which occurred within Maryland.
MyFICO.com
For a fee, get the Equifax and TransUnion Scores that are closest to what lenders will see.
Office of the People's Counsel (OPC)
Independent state agency that represents residential customers in utility matters, and works to ensure that Maryland's residential utility consumers of natural gas, electricity, telephone, water and sewer and transportation receive safe and reliable service at the lowest possible cost.
Securities Division - Maryland Office of the Attorney General
Is your broker or financial planner registered with the state? How to file complaints with the State Office of the Attorney General.
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Product Recalls and Reviews
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BizRate
Shopping comparison site providing a way to quickly find, compare and buy anything. Consumer feedback gives reviews of retailers and the products they sell.
Consumer Reports Database
Now online, this valuable resource from an expert, independent, nonprofit organization still has the mission to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves.
Consumer Search
Consumer Search reviews hundreds of product reviews, analyses them and recommends which products are the best.
Epinions
Consumer feedback and reviews of products and retailers, buying tips and advice, ratings, price information. Search by price, product type or name brand.
FDA Product Recalls and Safety Alerts
News about product recalls and market withdrawals, including food, drugs, medical devices, animal products, and cosmetics. Search by brand name, product name or company name from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Google Product Search
Formerly named Froogle, this price comparison and shopping site allows you to easily find and compare prices on any product.
Recalls.gov
Alerting consumers about unsafe, hazardous or defective products, six federal agencies with different jurisdictions joined together to create this "one stop shop" for information about U.S. Government recalls.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission
Help keep your family safe by checking for product recalls and safety news from CPSC.
US Public Interest Research Group-Trouble in Toyland
A watchdog group that produces annual guidelines for parents to use when purchasing toys and provides examples of toys currently in the stores that may pose safety hazards.
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Important site
Recalls.gov
Alerting consumers about unsafe, hazardous or defective products, six federal agencies with different jurisdictions joined together to create this "one stop shop" for information about U.S. Government recalls.
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Recycling
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Baltimore County "Donate, Don't Dump" Program
Baltimore County has partnered with the Loading Dock, Inc to accept reuseable building materials at the Eastern Sanitary Landfill (ESL) in White Marsh and the Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility (BCRRF) in Cockeysville. Get a tax deduction form on site.
Baltimore County Electronics Recycling
Accepted items include TVs, VCRs, DVD players, computer monitors, CPUs, mice, keyboards, cell phones, laptops, scanners, computer cables and cords, stereos, answering machines, and other home electronics. No appliances! Baltimore County residents can drop off their electronics for recycling at three Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facilities, Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.(3:30 Eastern Sanitary Landfill).
Baltimore County Reuse Directory [PDF]
Directory of reuse organizations for Baltimore County residents and businesses. The directory is a tool for matching people who have materials to give away with organizations that accept those materials. A quarterly newsletter, The ReSource can be subscribed to on-line . It contains information on recycling, waste prevention, special events and more.
Baltimore County Single Stream Recycling Program
Find information on how to set out recyclables for collection, what materials are accepted in the new program, and more
Composting
Information on vermicomposting and soil incorporation as alternatives to fertilizing gardens.
Lazarus Foundation Computer Recycling
Accepts tax deductible donations of surplus computer equipment, which they restore and donate to schools and non-profits.
Maryland Computer Recycling and Reuse
Excellent local computer recycling and reuse directories.
Maryland State Department of Education - Phoenix Project
Phoenix will accept computers with a minimum standard of Pentium 4 and will donate computers to school systems, individual schools, and other education related organizations. Because of rising costs in accruing and fixing equipment, Phoenix will require a small surcharge for each computer that is donated.
myGreenElectronics.org
The FCC recommends this site to help consumers locate electronics recycling centers and purchase green electronics in their area. Search by ZIP code.
Recycling in Maryland
County, City and State recycling services, drop-off locations, and contact information
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General Resources
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Directory of Consumer Resources
Locate County senior centers, nutrition sites, health centers, support groups, and other consumer information.
FDA Consumer Health Information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Comprehensive site for health information including food safety, nutrition, drugs and medications, vaccines and more.
Health and Health Care Information
from Baltimore County Public Library's Health InfoCenter
Links to sites with information on alternative medicine, how to find a doctor, hospital or nursing home, medical conditions, prescription drug information and diet, nutrition and fitness.
Household Products Database
Find what ingredients are in common household products, any potential health effects, safety and handling of products, find product manufacturers and information on product recalls from the National Institutes of Health.
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Publications
Links to various MDE publications containing articles on various environmental issues, including fish and shellfish contamination, air quality, drinking water, recycling, waste disposal, emissions, etc.
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Editor: CMI
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