Consumer Assistance

Better Business Bureau
260 Union Square
Suite 204
Hickory, NC 28601
828-328-4659 (24 hour service)
http://www.bbb.org/

Monday-Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Fosters ethical business practices, provides reports on local businesses and local and national charities, provides consumer educational materials, programs, and information, provides warnings about flim-flam operations, telemarketing scams, false fund-raising sweepstakes, provides alternative dispute resolution, and services for business-customer disputes.

Consumer Product Safety Commisson
1-800-638-2772
www.cpsc.gov

Handles complaints about unsatisfactory, unsafe household products. Free literature.

FBI's Tips for Seniors
Information on protecting yourself and your family from fraud.

Federal Trade Commission's Issues for Seniors
Information sheets about a number of topics of interest to seniors and their caregivers.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-seniors.htm

Senior Tar Heel Card Discount Program
available from the Western Piedmont Area Agency on Aging
736 4th St SW
Hickory, NC 28602
828-322-9191

Honored throughout the state, this card extends the purchasing power of older adults, especially those living on low, fixed incomes. Businesses participate in recognizing the card and giving the discount as a gesture of appreciation to seniors for their many contributions to the community and state. Participating businesses typically display the Senior Tar Heel Card emblem decal, but seniors are encouraged to ask if the store honors the card even if there is no posted emblem.