Click on other tabs above for information about legal aid providers and courts in your area. Below is legal information on this sub-topic. You can localize this information by clicking on the"Choose Another Location" link in the right column and selecting the area where you live.
Online Applications, Benefit Screening, Resources and Forms
FTC Consumer Complaint Form
(Separate Website)
Use this form to submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection about a particular company or organization. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint helps them to investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action.
By: Federal Trade Commission
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - Informal Complaints
(Separate Website)
Information to assist consumers in resolving complaints with utility companies under the PUC’s authority.
Informal Complaint (Online Form)
PDF By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Public Utility Commission - Formal Complaint Process [PDF]
(Separate Website)
Information regarding the formal complaint process. Also see procedures for informal complaint and inquiries.
By: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
File a Complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
(Separate Website)
The IC3 is co-sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Complaints filed via this website are processed and may be referred to federal, state, local or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for possible investigation.
By: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network
Creditor Harassment and Dealing With Debt Collectors
Informational brochure on creditor harassment and dealing with debt collectors, what they are allowed to do and what they aren't allowed to do.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Protect Yourself From Con Artists
Informational brochure regarding how to protect yourself from con artists and things to be aware of.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Predatory Lending
(Separate Website)
Information on types of predatory lending and how to protect yourself from them.
By: Community Legal Services
Payday Loans
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions about Payday Loans.
By: Community Legal Services
Refund Anticipation Loans & Pay Stub Loans
(Separate Website)
Information on loans obtained in anticipation of a tax refund.
By: Community Legal Services
Pennsylvania Consumer Safety Issues (Audio-MP3)
Episode of Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" Radio show broadcast on JET 1400 AM in Erie, PA. 7/26/07- Consumer legal issues in Pennsylvania such as cyber safety, identity theft, and the do-not-call list. (27:32)
Host: Robert Oakley, NWLS Director Guest: Tom Corbett, PA Attorney General.
Click on the title above to listen to the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Consumer Protection Programs in PA (Video)
Three-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
NWLS interviews PA Attorney General Tom Corbett concerning consumer protection programs offered by the PA Attorney General's office, especially those that help vulnerable and/or low-income Pennsylvanians. (4-16-08)
Part 1 - Information on the Attorney General's Health Care Unit (12:55)
Part 2 - Information on the Attorney General's Elder Law Unit (8:33)
Part 3 - Information on Investigating Unfair Commercial and Trade Practices (6:51)
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Pennsylvania Consumer Safety Issues (Video)
Four-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General provides information on a variety of consumer-related issues and scams. July 2007.
Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest: Tom Corbett, Attorney General of Pennyslvania
Part 1 - History and Structure of the PA Office of Attorney General (8:27)
Part 2 - Cyber Safety and Consumer Protection Information (8:11)
Part 3 - Identity Theft, Free Credit Reports, Phishing and Pharming (6:56)
Part 4 - Do-Not-Call List and How to Re-Register (5:28)
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Scams Targeting Seniors Senior Citizens in Pennsylvania (Video)
Three-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA. June 28, 2007
Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director Guests: Linda J. Williams, Esq., Chief Deputy Attorney General of PA and John Tokarczyk, Senior Supervisory Agent, PA Bureau of Consumer Protection
Part 1 - Help is available, overview of typical scams, filing consumer complaints, problems relating to credit. (8:26)
Part 2 - Identifying door to door scams, what to do if you suspect a scam, be leary of internet scams and an overview of some internet scams underway. (7:01)
Part 3 - Scams relating to door-to-door contractors, how to protect yourself, what is the Better Business Bureau and how it can help, problems with identify theft and how it may affect you. (12:30)
Click on title to view video.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Mail Order and Telephone Order Sales
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights in mail order and telephone order sales.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Sales Transactions in Your Home
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights relating to sales made in your home.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Home Improvement Finance Act
(Separate Website)
Information on the when the Home Improvement Finance Act applies to contracts and your rights under the Act.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Billing Errors
(Separate Website)
Information on your rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
By: Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Inc.
Money! Money! Money! (Video)
Consumer Law Tips for Survivors of Domestic Violence.
By: Neighborhood Legal Services Association
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses.
By: North Penn Legal Services
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Earned Income Tax Credit, Tax Year 2007 (Video)
Three-part excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
Diana Smith, Senior Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue Service, provides information about Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the tax year 2007. This tax program provides cash refunds to many low-income employed people regardless of whether any tax is owed. December 13, 2007.
Part 1 - Requirements of Filing for EITC- information on qualifying children; adjusted income limitations; and qualifying without children.(8:30)
Part 2 - Other Criteria Concerning EITC - citizenship requirements; and common errors when filing.(5:42)
Part 3 - Getting Free Help - via IRS Website; using the EITC Assistant; Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) Sites and using ICAN E-file; and Avoiding Refund Anticipate Loans (RALS). (11:29)
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
Safeshopping.org
(Separate Website)
Information from the American Bar Association to aid consumers in shopping over the Internet
By: American Bar Association
What can be done about defective products, fraudulent advertising or unfair sales practices?
(Separate Website)
Information on consumer problems with defective products, fraudulent advertising or unfair sales practices.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
What protection is there against a fraudulent seller in a credit card transaction?
(Separate Website)
Information on problems with credit card transactions.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Consumer Tips
(Separate Website)
Consumer Tips from the Erie County Bar Association.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Bureau of Consumer Protection
(Separate Website)
Information concerning PA Bureau of Consumer Protection.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Defending a Lawsuit
(Separate Website)
Information on how to defend a lawsuit.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Small Claims Court
(Separate Website)
Information on the operation of the Magisterial District Court in Pennsylvania.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Home Improvement Contracts
(Separate Website)
Information to help you when you enter into a home improvement contract.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Legal Briefs: Home Repair Problems and Scams
(Separate Website)
Information discussed by Attorney Whitney Hughes on the June 17, 2008 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live featuring some frequently asked questions and some helpful tips to navigate through those home repair headaches.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Legal Briefs: Tainted food and toxic toys
(Separate Website)
Information discussed by Attorney Whitney Hughes on the November, 20th 2007 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live Show.
Topics include about what your rights are when it comes to product recalls. (6:01)
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Legal Briefs: Consumers' rights - What to do when a business closes
(Separate Website)
Information discussed by Attorney Whitney Hughes on the January 27, 2009 edition of Legal Briefs on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live.
Feature some common questions and some tips in case you?ve purchased something from a now defunct retailer. Topics include gift cards; down payments and warranties.
By: Allegheny County Bar Association
Mail Order Problems
(Separate Website)
Information on mail order purchases from the Erie County Bar Association
By: Erie County Bar Association
Inventor Beware
(Separate Website)
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
By: Pennsylvania Bar Association
Insurance Tips for Consumers
(Separate Website)
Tips for consumers who are looking for insurance.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Auto Accident Victim's Medical Bills
(Separate Website)
Information about provisions in Pennsylvania law that may entitle you to have your medical bills paid when you are injured in an auto accident.
By: Erie County Bar Association
Where to turn with Insurance Problems
(Separate Website)
Information on resources for solving insurance problems.
By: Erie County Bar Association
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PALawHELP.org is provided as a public service by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Legal Services Corporation.
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