THIS MANUAL IS DESIGNED TO SERVE AS A REFERENCE TO ACQUAINT CONSUMERS OR CONSUMER ADVOCATES WITH GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND SPECIFIC STATUTES PERTINENT TO THE RESOLUTION OF CONSUMER PROBLEMS. NO ATTEMPT IS MADE TO PROVIDE ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS TO CONSUMER PROBLEMS. A TRANSACTIONAL APPROACH IS USED WHEN POSSIBLE TO ANALYZE CONSUMER PROBLEMS IN APPROXIMATELY THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN THE COURSE OF A CONSUMER TRANSACTION. WHERE A TRANSACTIONAL APPROACH IS NOT FEASIBLE, MATERIALS ARE ORGANIZED ACCORDING TO TOPIC. SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE MANUAL ARE GENERAL CONTRACT LAW, CASH AND CREDIT SALES (INDUCEMENTS TO ENTER A CONTRACT, FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION, UNCONSCIONABILITY, BUSINESS PRACTICES CONSTITUTING CRIME, FEDERAL TRUTH IN LENDING ACT, CREDIT SALES AND PRACTICES, FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT, GOODS AND SERVICES INSTALLMENT SALES ACT, HOME IMPROVEMENT FINANCE ACT, MOTOR VEHICLE SALES FINANCE ACT, AND REMEDIES), LOANS (LOAN STATUTES AND REGULATIONS, CONSUMER DISCOUNT COMPANIES, CREDIT UNIONS, BANK AND TRUST COMPANIES, SAVINGS BANKS, LOAN COMPANIES, PAWNBROKERS, AND LOANS SECURED BY REAL ESTATE MORTGAGES), INSURANCE REGULATION (PROHIBITIONS AGAINST UNFAIR AND FRADULENT INSURANCE PRACTICES, AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE, ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE, LIFE INSURANCE, HOMEOWNER'S AND FIRE INSURANCE, AND CREDIT INSURANCE), PUBLIC UTILITIES, REAL PROPERTY, LANDLORD AND TENANT RELATIONS, MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOBILE HOMES, SOLICITATION OF CHARITABLE FUNDS, PRODUCT SAFETY AND LABELING, FOODS, FARM PRODUCTS, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, EMPLOYMENT, LICENSING AND REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, AND PRIVATE VOCATIONAL AND CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS). (DEP)