This section of PALawHelp.org has resources about Consumer Protection information and issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses.
Disaster Relief Resources for Pennsylvania
List of links to govenment resources available to individuals and families recovering from the effects of natural and other disasters.
Fraud Affects Every Community
The Federal Trade Commission has introduced this series outlining how fraud affects different communities. This presents the stories of individuals from various communities have been victimized by fraud and provides some free resources help you protect every community from fraud, no matter what community you’re in or work with.
Helping Clients Explore Their Personal Finance Rights (Video)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers this prerecorded webinar, in four short modules, to help consumers know their rights and call out potential violations. (2022) The modules include: Module 1: Consumer Rights [18:21]; Module 2: Credit and Housing Rights [16:14]; Module 3: Financial Products and Identify Theft Rights [15:59]; and Module 4: How to Submit a Complaint or Tell your Story [10:06]
New Rights for Buy Now, Pay Later Purchases
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information for consumers on their rights when using “buy now, pay later” options from companies such as Klarna, AfterPay, Sezzle, Affirm, Splitit, and PayPal. (December 2024)
Prepaid Card Protections (Video)
This video provides information on how new rules makes prepaid accounts safer to use – whether you’re swiping a card at the register, shopping online, or scanning your smartphone. (2019)
Your Credit Card Rights
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information on consumer rights relating to the use of credit cards. This includes the types of disputes that might occur with a credit card company and how to resolve those disputes. (August 2016)
CFPB Consumer Complaint
Consumer complaints regarding financial products and services can be submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
File a Complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency for investigating crime. 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.
CFPB Consumer Complaint
Consumer complaints regarding financial products and services can be submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
File a Complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency for investigating crime. 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.
Beware of Voting Scams
The Pennsylvania Attorney General offers information on scams related to voting and tricking donors into believing they are supporting their preferred political candidates.
Financial Planners or Scammers
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General about solicitations from so-called experts offering financial and estate planning services.
How can I tell the difference between e-mails from companies I do business with and scams trying to rip me off?
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General offering information on how to avoid email scams.
Inventor Beware
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. (February 2013)
Why Report Fraud? (Video)
This video from the Federal Trade Commission explains what to do if you think you see a scam and how to report it to the Federal Trade Commission to stop the scammers.
Work at Home Schemes
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General about the pitfalls of many offers of big money from working at home.
Creditor Lawsuits Handbook
This Handbook from North Penn Legal Services is for people dealing with creditor lawsuits, including information on such suits and common defenses.
Money! Money! Money! (Video)
Consumer Law Tips for Survivors of Domestic Violence: Basic ideas about money management, some good ideas and some mistakes to avoid. (2011)
Your Right to Cancel Certain Contracts
Usually, you do not have the right to cancel a contract after you enter into it. However, there are certain circumstances when a contact can be cancelled. View information here from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network on when a contract can be cancelled.
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Information from the Erie County Bar Association concerning PA Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Harassment
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on the offense of Harassment. (08/2018)
Home Improvement Contracts
Information from the Erie County Bar Association to help you when you enter into a home improvement contract. (02/2019)
How a Lawyer Can Help You
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. (02/2013)
Inventor Beware
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. (February 2013)
Libel and Slander
Information on the law of libel and slander from the Erie County Bar Association. (08/2018)
Malpractice
Information on Malpractice, which is the general term which is applied to negligent conduct on the part of a doctor, dentist, lawyer, hospital, or other member of a given profession. (02/2019)
New Rights for Buy Now, Pay Later Purchases
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information for consumers on their rights when using “buy now, pay later” options from companies such as Klarna, AfterPay, Sezzle, Affirm, Splitit, and PayPal. (December 2024)
Your Credit Card Rights
This fact sheet from the National Consumer Law Center provides information on consumer rights relating to the use of credit cards. This includes the types of disputes that might occur with a credit card company and how to resolve those disputes. (August 2016)
Beware of Voting Scams
The Pennsylvania Attorney General offers information on scams related to voting and tricking donors into believing they are supporting their preferred political candidates.
Buying and Owning a Car: Consumer Protection Relating to Automobiles
Get advice on buying a new or used car, and on understanding warranties, maintenance, and repossession. This features various brochures from the Federal Trade Commission containing information consumers should be aware of relating to automobiles.
Cell Phones and Cellular Calling Plans
This Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Attorney General offers some tips when considering the purchase of a cellular phone and wireless plan.
CFPB Consumer Complaint
Consumer complaints regarding financial products and services can be submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Checklist for opening a bank or credit union account
Information you need to know when opening a checking or savings account bank or credit union.
Choosing a Career or Vocational School
Vocational schools, also known as trade or career schools, and certificate programs can be a great way to train for a variety of jobs. But not all of these programs are useful or legit, so it’s important to do your research before picking a program. Here is some information from the Federal Trade Commission for consumers when considering vocational schools and career options.
Consumer.gov
Get the basics on how to make a budget, use credit, avoid scams, and more This website is a comprehensive resource for consumer information from the federal government
Consumer Information from the Federal Trade Commission
This section of the FTC website offers practical information on a variety of consumer topics. The information here can help you avoid rip-offs and exercise your consumer rights.
Do Not Call List
Informational brochure on the Do Not Call law, which allows Pennsylvania residents to avoid unwanted telemarketing calls to their homes. Telemarketers are prohibited from calling anyone whose name is on the statewide Do Not Call list. [PDF]
Facebook Hack Tips
This Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Attorney General provides consumers with tips on how to protect themselves from identity theft or other harm related to hacks where there personal information may have been illegally accessed or disclosed.
Financial Planners or Scammers
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General about solicitations from so-called experts offering financial and estate planning services.
Fraud Affects Every Community
The Federal Trade Commission has introduced this series outlining how fraud affects different communities. This presents the stories of individuals from various communities have been victimized by fraud and provides some free resources help you protect every community from fraud, no matter what community you’re in or work with.
Going, Going, Gone–Shopping On-line Auctions
This Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Attorney General offers tips to help you know how to shop using online auction websites.
Helping Clients Explore Their Personal Finance Rights (Video)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers this prerecorded webinar, in four short modules, to help consumers know their rights and call out potential violations. (2022) The modules include: Module 1: Consumer Rights [18:21]; Module 2: Credit and Housing Rights [16:14]; Module 3: Financial Products and Identify Theft Rights [15:59]; and Module 4: How to Submit a Complaint or Tell your Story [10:06]
Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act
Informational booklet on the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act that creates safeguards for consumers who hire contractors for home remodeling projects. [PDF]
How can I tell the difference between e-mails from companies I do business with and scams trying to rip me off?
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General offering information on how to avoid email scams.
How Scammers Tell You To Pay (Video)
This video from the Federal Trade Commission describes some methods scammers use to make you send them money. By learning how scammers ask you to pay, find out how to spot – and stop – scams. (2018)
How to Spot a Fraudulent Investment Scheme
This Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Attorney General provides information pointing out some common “red flags” to help you spot fraudulent investment schemes.
Informational Brochures from the PA Attorney General
Informational brochures and publlications available from the PA Attorney General
Online Reviews and Recommendations
This video from the Federal Trade Commission describes how consumers can evaluate online reviews and recommendations when shopping. (December 2012)
Payday loans explained (Video)
When cash is tight, some people turn to payday and similar loans to make ends meet. For some people payday loans become debt traps and our new rule aims to end the cycle of debt. (2017)
Prepaid Card Protections (Video)
This video provides information on how new rules makes prepaid accounts safer to use – whether you’re swiping a card at the register, shopping online, or scanning your smartphone. (2019)
Public Protection Division
Information and services for consumers from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General provided by its Public Protection Division. More so than any other Office of Attorney General division, the Public Protection Division affects and works with Pennsylvanians on an individual basis. This is because the mission of the Public Protection Division is to help citizens with everything from individual consumer complaints to complex affirmative civil litigation cases, which may seek to recover hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of larger groups of constituents.
Puppy Lemon Law
Webpage and Informational brochure designed to help dog sellers, purchasers, and veterinarians understand the Dog Purchaser Protection Act (Puppy Lemon Law), that establishes the basic standards and responsibilities that each of the parties must meet. [PDF]
Report a Mail Crime
If you have witnessed or fallen victim to a mail-related crime, take action by filing a report of the incident. Find the right form, appropriate for your situation, to file in order to report the criminal conduct.
Rights and Resources Guide
Reference guide for all consumers regarding how to avoid scams and frauds. (2025)
Submit a Complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about a Financial Product or Service (Video)
This video from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides information on CFPB's complaint process, and how to submit a complaint to the CFPB. Consumers’ complaints and companies’ responses provide the CFPB with insights about the types of challenges consumers are experiencing with financial products and services and how companies are responding to consumers’ concerns. (2022)
Telemarketing Information You Need to Know
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General offering some information for you about telemarketing calls.
Tips for Paying off Those Holiday Bills
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General offering tips to help you get control of your finances and deal with holiday spending.
Victim Help Resources
Resources from the United States Postal Inspection Service, an agency that is dedicated to treating every crime victim with compassion, fairness, and respect while protecting their dignity and privacy. Scammers prey on anyone who will listen. Given the right circumstances, anyone can be scammed. But everyone can and should protect themselves and loved ones from scammers. This provides some suggestions for protecting your loved ones from financial exploitation.
Why Report Fraud? (Video)
This video from the Federal Trade Commission explains what to do if you think you see a scam and how to report it to the Federal Trade Commission to stop the scammers.
Work at Home Schemes
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General about the pitfalls of many offers of big money from working at home.
Your Right to Rescind
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General concerning the circumstances where you have a right to rescind or cancel certain types of contracts.