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)
(Separate Website)
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 (Part 1) (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
4-16-08- 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.
Part 1 - Information on the Attorney General's Health Care Unit which investigates unfair health care practices, Act 106, right to health treatment, denial of care, unduly delayed payments by insurers, deceptive practices, and information on the complaint process for consumers. (12:55)
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Consumer Protection Programs in PA (Part 2) (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
4-16-08- 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.
Part 2 - Information on the Attorney General's Elder Law Unit, designed to protect older Pennsylvanians. They investigate and prosecute those who cheat, deceive and abuse older Pennsylvanians. They provide education to the public about senior fraud, artists, financial investment scams, health abuse and neglect. (8:33)
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Consumer Protection Programs in PA (Part 3) (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
4-16-08- 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.
Part 3 - Information on investigating unfair commercial and trade practices, prosecute those who engage in unfair and deceptive conduct in advertisement or sale of goods or services in PA such as home repair scams, door-to-door solicitations, and information on newly proposed legislation requiring repair contractors to register with the state. (6:51)
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Pennsylvania Consumer Safety Issues - Part 1 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
July 2007. 5/31/07 - The Pennsylvania Attorney General provides information on a variety of consumer related issues and scams. Part 1 provides information on the history and structure of the PA Office of Attorney General, www.attorneygeneral.gov. (8:27)
Host- Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest Tom Corbett, Attorney General of Pennyslvania
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Pennsylvania Consumer Safety Issues - Part 2 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
July 2007. 5/31/07 - The Pennsylvania Attorney General provides information on a variety of consumer related issues and scams. Part 2 Includes information on Cyber Safety and Consumer Protection Information (8:11)
Host- Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest Tom Corbett, Attorney General of Pennyslvania
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Pennsylvania Consumer Safety Issues - Part 3 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
July 2007. 5/31/07 - The Pennsylvania Attorney General provides information on a variety of consumer related issues and scams. Part 3 Identity Theft, Information on obtaining Free Credit Reports, Phishing and Pharming Activity. (6:56)
Host- Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest Tom Corbett, Attorney General of Pennyslvania
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Pennsylvania Consumer Safety Issues - Part 4 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
July 2007. 5/31/07 - The Pennsylvania Attorney General provides information on a variety of consumer related issues and scams. Part 4: Do-Not-Call List and how to re-register. (5:28)
Host- Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest Tom Corbett, Attorney General of Pennyslvania
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Earned Income Tax Credit, Tax Year 2007 - Part 1 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
12/13/2007- 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.
Part 1 provides information on Requirements of Filing for EITC; information on qualifying children; adjusted income limitations; and qualifying without children.(8:30)
Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest: Diana Smith, Senior Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue Service
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Earned Income Tax Credit, Tax Year 2007 - Part 2 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
12/13/2007- 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.
Part 2 - Information on other criteria concerning EITC; citizenship requirements; and common errors when filing.(5:42)
Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest: Diana Smith, Senior Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue Service
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Earned Income Tax Credit, Tax Year 2007 - Part 3 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
12/13/2007- 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.
Part 3 - Information on 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)
Host: Robert Oakley, Esq., NWLS Director
Guest: Diana Smith, Senior Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue Service
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Scams Targeting Seniors Senior Citizens in Pennsylvania, Part 1 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
6/28/07 - Part I - Help is available, overview of typical scams, filing consumer complaints, problems relating to credit. (8:26)
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
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Scams Targeting Seniors Senior Citizens in Pennsylvania, Part 2 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
6/28/07 - 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)
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
Click on title above to watch the program.
By: Northwestern Legal Services
Scams Targeting Seniors Senior Citizens in Pennsylvania, Part 3 (Video)
Excerpt from Northwestern Legal Services' "Access to Justice" cable access television show broadcast on Erie Cablevision (Channel 2) in Erie, PA.
6/28/07 - 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)
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
Click on title above to watch the program.
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.
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Referral Search
(Separate Website)
