. State Consumer agencies offering assistance Not every state provided complete information. Send us your updates. Scroll Down to Find Interesting Consumer Resource & Revenge Links
Some starting points
State agencies-consumer advice Arizona Consumer Protection and Advocacy Section
Office of the Attorney General
1275 West Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-542-5025
602-542-5763 (Consumer Information and Complaints)
Toll free: 1-800-352-8431 (AZ)
Fax: 602-542-4085
www.azag.gov
Consumer Protection
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Information and Complaints
400 West Congress South Bldg., Suite 315
Tucson, AZ 85701-1367
520-628-6504
Toll free: 1-800-352-8431 (AZ)
Fax: 520-628-6530
E-mail: consumerinfo@azag.gov
www.azag.gov
Arkansas
State Offices Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
323 Center St., Suite 200
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-682-2007
501-682-2341 (Consumer Hotline)
Toll free: 1-800-482-8982 (Consumer Hotline)
Toll free: 1-800-482-8982 (Toll free TTY)
TTY: 501-682-6073
Fax: 501-682-8118
E-mail: oag@arkansasag.gov
www.arkansasag.gov
Alabama
Alabama Attorney General's Consumer Affairs Section *No information
California
State Offices California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Division
1625 North Market Blvd.
Suite N 112
Sacramento, CA 95834
916- 445-1254
Toll free: 1-800-952-5210
TTY: 916-322-1700; Toll Free: 1-800-326-2297
E-mail: dca@dca.ca.gov
www.dca.ca.gov
Office of the Attorney General
Public Inquiry Unit
PO Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
916-322-3360
Toll free: 1-800-952-5225 (CA)
TTY: 1-800-735-2929
Fax: 916-323-5341
E-mail: piu@doj.ca.gov
www.caag.state.ca.us
http://www.dca.ca.gov/
Colorado
Colorado Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
1525 Sherman St., 7th Floor
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-5079
Toll free: 1-800-222-4444
Fax: 303-866-4916
E-mail: stop.fraud@state.co.us
www.ago.state.co.us
AARP ElderWatch
1301 Pennsylvania #280
Denver, CO 80203
303-222-4444
Toll free: 1-800-222-4444
Fax: 303-831-6217
E-mail: aarpelderwatch@aarp.org
www.aarpelderwatch.org
Connecticut
http://www.ct.gov/dcp/site/default.asprtment of Consumer Protection
Department of Consumer Protection
165 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106-1630
860-713-6050
Toll free: 1-800-842-2649
TTY: 1-860-713-7240
Fax: 860-713-7239
E-mail: trade.practices@ct.gov
www.ct.gov/dcp
Delaware
Delaware Office of Attorney General
Delaware Department of Justice
Consumer Protection Division
Carvel State Office Building
820 North French St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-577-8600
Toll free: 1-800-220-5424
Fax: 302-577-6499
E-mail: consumer.protection@state.de.us
www.attorneygeneral.delaware.gov
District of Columbia
District of Columbia only Offices Office of the Attorney General
Office of Consumer Protection
441 4th St NW
Suite 600 South
Washington, DC 20001
202-727-3400
Fax: 202-478-9296
www.oag.dc.gov District of Columbia Offices Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Government of the District of Columbia
941 North Capitol St., NE, Suite 9700
Washington, DC 20002
202-442-4400
202-727-1000 (Citywide Call Center)
202-442-9828
Fax: 202-442-9445
E-mail: consumer.protection@dc.gov
www.consumer.dc.gov
Office of Consumer Protection
Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
941 N Capitol Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-442-4400
202-442-4615
Fax: 202-478-9296
www.dcra.dc.gov
Florida
Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Consumer Services
Terry Lee Rhodes Building
2005 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500
850-488-2221
Toll free: 1-800-435-7352 (FL)
Toll free: 1-800-352-9832 (en Espanol)
www.800helpfla.com
Florida Office of the Attorney General
PL-01 The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050
850-414-3300
Toll free: 1-866-966-7226 (FL)
TTY: 1-800-955-8771 (Toll free)
Fax: 850-488-4483
myfloridalegal.com
Georgia
State Offices Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. SE, Suite 356
Atlanta, GA 30334-4600
404-651-8600
Toll free: 1-800-869-1123 (GA and Outside Atlanta)
Fax: 404-651-9018
consumer.georgia.gov
Hawaii
State Offices Office of Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
345 Kekuanaoa St., Room 12
Hilo, HI 96720-4388
808-933-0910
Fax: 808-933-8845
www.hawaii.gov/dcca
Office of Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
235 South Beretania St., Room 801
Honolulu, HI 96813-2419
808-586-2630
808-587-3222
Fax: 808-586-2640
www.hawaii.gov/dcca/ocp
Idaho
Idaho Attorney General's Office
Consumer Protection Division
954 W. Jefferson, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0010
208-334-2424
Toll free: 1-800-432-3545 (ID)
Fax: 208-334-4151
www2.state.id.us/ag
Illinois Illinois Office of the Attorney General- Carbondale
Consumer Fraud Bureau
1001 East Main St.
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-529-6400
Toll free: 1-800-243-0607 (Hotline)
TTY: 1-877-675-9339 (Toll free IL)
Fax: 618-529-6416
E-mail: ag_consumer@atg.state.il.us
www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
Illinois Office of the Attorney General- Chicago
Consumer Fraud Bureau
100 West Randolph St., 12th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-3000
Toll free: 1-800-386-5438 (IL)
TTY: 1-800-964-3013 (Toll free IL)
Fax: 312-814-2549
E-mail: ag_consumer@atg.state.il.us
www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
Indiana
Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
302 West Washington St., 5th floor
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-6330
Toll free: 1-800-382-5516 (Consumer Hotline)
Fax: 317-233-4393
www.indianaconsumer.com
Iowa
State Offices Office of the Iowa Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
1305 East Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5926
Toll free: 1-888-777-4590 (IA)
Fax: 515-281-6771
E-mail: consumer protection@ag.state.ia.us
www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.org
Kansas
Office of Kansas Attorney
Consumer Protection & Antitrust Division
120 SW 10th St., Suite 430
Topeka, KS 66612-1597
785-296-3751
Toll free: 1-800-432-2310 (KS)
TTY: 785-291-3767
Fax: 785-291-3699
E-mail: cprotect@ksag.org
www.ksag.org
Kentucky
State Offices Kentucky Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
1024 Capital Center Dr.
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-696-5389
Toll free: 1-888-432-9257 (KY)
Fax: 502-573-7151
E-mail: consumer.protection@ag.ky.gov
www.ag.ky.gov/cp
Kentucky Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
for Jefferson, Bullitt or Oldham Counties
310 Whittington Parkway, Suite 101
Louisville, KY 40222
502-429-7134
Toll free: 888-432-9257
Fax: 502-429-7129
E-mail: consumer.protection@ag.ky.gov
Louisiana
State Offices Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
PO Box 94005
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9005
225-326-6465
Toll free: 1-800-351-4889
Fax: 225-326-6499
E-mail: ConsumerInfo@ag.state.la.us
www.ag.state.la.us
Maine
State Offices Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0035
207-624-8527
Toll free: 1-800-332-8529 (ME)
TTY: 1-888-577-6690 (Toll free)
Fax: 207-582-7699
www.credit.maine.gov
Maine Attorney General's Office
Consumer Information and Mediation Service
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
207-626-8849
Toll free: 1-800-436-2131 (Consumer Protection)
Fax: 207-626-8812
E-mail: consumer.mediation@maine.gov
www.maine.gov/ag
Maryland
State Offices Maryland Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
200 Saint Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202-2021
410-528-8662 (Consumer Complaints)
410-576-6550 (Consumer Information)
410-528-1840 (Health Advocacy unit)
Toll free: 1-888-743-0023
Toll free: 1-877-261-8807 (Health Advocacy unit)
TTY: 410-576-6372 (MD)
Fax: 410-576-7040
E-mail: consumer@oag.state.md.us
www.oag.state.md.us/consumer
Massachusetts
State Offices Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
10 Park Plaza, Suite 5170
Boston, MA 02116
617-973-8700 (General Information)
617-973-8787 (Consumer Hotline)
Toll free: 1-888-283-3757 (MA)
TTY: 1-800-720-3480
Fax: 617-973-8799
E-mail: consumer@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/Consumer
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Complaints and Information
1 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-8400 (Consumer Hotline)
TTY: 617-727-4765
Fax: 617-727-3265
E-mail: emailcomplaints@state.ma.us
Michigan
State Offices Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
PO Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-1140
Toll free: 1-877-765-8388
Fax: 517-241-3771
www.michigan.gov/ag County Offices Macomb County Consumer Protection Department
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
One South Main St., 3rd FL
Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
586-469-5350
Fax: 586-469-5609
Minnesota
State Offices Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Services Division
1400 Bremer Tower
445 Minnesota St.
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-296-3353
Toll free: 1-800-657-3787
TTY: 651-297-7206 or 1-800-366-4812 (Toll free)
Fax: 651-282-2155
www.ag.state.mn.us
Mississippi
State Offices Consumer Protection Division
Attorney General's Office
PO Box 22947
Jackson, MS 39225-2947
601-359-4230
Toll free: 1-800-281-4418 (MS)
Fax: 601-359-4231
www.ago.state.ms.us Missouri
State Offices Missouri Attorney General's Office
Consumer Protection Unit
PO Box 899
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-3321
Toll free: 1-800-392-8222 (hotline)
Fax: 573-751-7948
E-mail: consumer@ago.mo.gov
www.ago.mo.gov
Montana
State Offices
Montana Office of Consumer Protection
2225 11th Avenue
PO Box 200151
Helena, MT 59620-0151
406-444-4500
Toll free: 1-800-481-6896
Fax: 406-444-9680
E-mail: contactocp@mt.gov
www.doj.mt.gov/consumer Nebraska
State Offices Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
2115 State Capitol
PO Box 98920
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-2682
Toll free: 1-800-727-6432 (NE)
Toll free: 1-888-850-7555 (NE - Spanish)
Fax: 402-471-0006
www.ago.ne.gov Nevada
State Offices Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of the Attorney General
Carson City, NV
www.fightfraud.nv New Hampshire
State Offices Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau
33 Capitol St.
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-3641
Toll free: 1-888-468-4454 (Consumer Protection Hotline)
TTY: 1-800-735-2964 (New Hampshire Only)
Fax: 603-223-620 New Jersey
State Offices Department of Law and Public Safety
Division of Consumer Affairs
PO Box 45025
Newark, NJ 07101
973-504-6200
Toll free: 1-800-242-5846 (NJ)
TTY: 973-504-6588
Fax: 973-648-3538
E-mail: askconsumeraffairs@lps.state.nj.us
www.njconsumeraffairs.gov New Mexico
State Offices Office of Attorney Generral
Consumer Protection Division
PO Drawer 1508
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508
505-827-6060
Toll free: 1-800-678-1508
Fax: 505-827-5826
www.nmag.gov
New York
State Offices Office of the Attorney General- Albany Office
Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341
518-474-5481
518-474-7330
Toll free: 1-800-771-7755 (NY)
TTY: 1-800-788-9898 (Toll free)
Fax: 518-474-3618
www.oag.state.ny.us
New York State Consumer Protection Board
5 Empire State Plaza, Suite 2101
Albany, NY 12223
518-474-8583 (Capitol Region)
Toll free: 1-800-697-1220
Fax: 518-486-3936
E-mail: webmaster@consumer.state.ny.us
www.nysconsumer.gov
Office of the Attorney General- New York City Office
Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau
120 Broadway, 3rd Fl.
New York, NY 10271-0332
212-416-8000
Toll free: 1-800-771-7755 (Hotline)
TTY: 1-800-788-9898 (Toll free) or 212-416-8893
Fax: 212-416-6003
www.oag.state.ny.us
North Carolina
State Offices
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
9001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
919-716-6000
Toll free: 1-877-566-7226 (NC)
Fax: 919-716-6050
www.ncdoj.gov North Dakota
State Offices Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division
4205 State St.
P.O. Box 1054
Bismarck, ND 58502-1054
701-328-3404
Toll free: 1-800-472-2600
TTY: 1-800-366-6888 (Toll free)
Fax: 701-328-5568
E-mail: ndag@nd.gov
www.ag.nd.gov
Ohio
State Offices
Consumer Protection Section
Attorney General's Office
30 East Broad St., 14h Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3400
614-466-4320
Toll free: 1-800-282-0515
Fax: 614-728-7583
www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
www.speakoutohio.gov, consumer website Oklahoma
State Offices Consumer Protection Unit
Oklahoma Attorney General
313 NE 21st Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-3921
Fax: 405-522-0085
www.oag.ok.gov
Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit
4545 North Lincoln Blvd., #164
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-3653
Toll free: 1-800-448-4904
Fax: 405-521-6740
E-mail: webmaster@okdocc.state.ok.us
www.okdocc.state.ok.us
Oregon
State Offices Financial Fraud/Consumer Protection Section
Department of Justice
1162 Court St., NE
Salem, OR 97301-4096
503-378-4320 (Salem)
503-229-5576 (Portland)
503-947-4333
Toll free: 1-877-877-9392 (OR)
TTY: 1-800-735-2900
Fax: 503-378-5017
E-mail: consumer.hotline@doj.state.or.us
www.doj.state.or.us
Pennsylvania
State Offices
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
16th Floor, Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-787-3391
Toll free: 1-800-441-2555 (PA)
Toll free: 1-888-520-6680 (Home improvement)
Toll free: 1-866-623-2137 (PA - Elder Abuse)
Fax: 717-787-8242
www.attorneygeneral.gov
Office of the Consumer Advocate
Office of the Attorney General
555 Walnut Street
5th Floor, Forum Place
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1923
717-783-5048 (Utilities only)
Toll free: 1-800-684-6560 (PA)
Fax: 717-783-7152
E-mail: consumer@paoca.org
www.oca.state.pa.us
Rhode Island
State Offices
Consumer Protection Unit
Department of Attorney General
150 South Main St.
Providence, RI 02903
401-274-4400
TTY: 401-453-0410
Fax: 401-222-5110
E-mail: contactus@riag.ri.gov
www.riag.state.ri.us
Texas
State Offices Office of the Attorney General South Carolina
State Offices South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
3600 Forest Drive, 3rd floor
PO Box 5757
Columbia, SC 29250-5757
803-734-4200
Toll free: 1-800-922-1594 (SC)
TTY: 1-877-734-4215 (Toll free)
Fax: 803-734-4286
E-mail: scdca@scconsumer.gov
www.scconsumer.gov
South Dakota
State Offices Consumer Affairs
Office of the Attorney General
1302 E. Hwy 14, Suite 3
Pierre, SD 57501-8503
605-773-4400
Toll free: 1-800-300-1986 (SD)
TTY: 605-773-6585
Fax: 605-773-7163
E-mail: consumerhelp@state.sd.us
www.state.sd.us/atg
Tennessee
State Offices
Department of Commerce and Insurance
Division of Consumer Affairs
500 James Robertson Pkwy., 5th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0600
615-741-4737
Toll free: 1-800-342-8385 (TN)
Fax: 615-532-4994
E-mail: consumer.affairs@tn.gov
www.tn.gov/consumer
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Advocate and Protection Division
PO Box 20207
Nashville, TN 37202-0207
615-741-1671
Fax: 615-532-2910
www.attorneygeneral.state.tn.us
Texas
State Offices Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Department
PO Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711-2548
512-463-2100
Toll free: 1-800-621-0508
Fax: 512-473-8301
www.oag.state.tx.us Regional Offices Office of the Attorney General- Dallas Region
Consumer Protection Division
1412 Main Street, Suite 810
Dallas, TX 75202
214-969-5310
Toll free: 1-800-621-0508
Fax: 214-969-7615
www.oag.state.tx.us
Utah
State Offices
Utah Department of Commerce
Division of Consumer Protection
160 East 300 South
PO Box 146704
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6704
801-530-6601
Fax: 801-530-6001
E-mail: consumerprotection@utah.gov
www.consumerprotection.utah.gov Vermont
State Offices Consumer Assistance Program
Office of the Attorney General
206 Morrill Hall, UVM
Burlington, VT 05405
802-656-3183
Toll free: 1-800-649-2424 (VT)
Fax: 802-656-1423
E-mail: consumercomplaint@atg.state.vt.us
www.atg.state.vt.us
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets
Food Safety and Consumer Protection
Consumer Protection
116 State St
Montpelier, VT 05620
802-828-2436
Fax: 802-828-5983
www.vermontagriculture.com
Virginia
State Offices Antitrust and Consumer Litigation Section
Office of the Attorney General
900 East Main St.
Richmond, VA 23219
804-786-2116
Toll free: 1-800-451-1525
Fax: 804-786-0122
E-mail: mail@oag.state.va.us
www.vaag.com/consumer
Office of Consumer Affairs
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
P.O. Box 1163
Richmond, VA 23218
804-786-2042
Toll free: 1-800-552-9963 (VA)
TTY: 1-800-828-1120 (Toll free)
Fax: 804-225-2666
E-mail: webmaster.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov
www.vdacs.virginia.gov
Washington
State Offices
Office of the Attorney General
(see Regional Consumer Resource Centers)
, WA
Toll free: 1.800.551.4636
TTY: 1-800-833-6384
www.atg.wa.gov/ Regional Offices Bellingham Consumer Resource Center (Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom Counties)
Office of the Attorney General
103 East Holly St., Suite 308
Bellingham, WA 98225-4728
360-738-6185
Toll free: 1-800-551-4636 (WA)
TTY: 1-800-833-6384
Fax: 360-738-6190
www.atg.wa.gov
Seattle Consumer Resource Center (King, Snohomish, Clallam and Jefferson Counties)
Office of the Attorney General
800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000
Seattle, WA 98104
206-464-6684
Toll free: 1-800-551-4636 (WA)
TTY: 1-800-833-6384
Fax: 206-389-2801
www.atg.wa.gov
West Virginia
State Offices Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
PO Box 1789
Charleston, WV 25326-1789
304-558-8986
Toll free: 1-800-368-8808 (WV)
Fax: 304-558-0184
E-mail: consumer@wvago.gov
www.wvago.gov Wisconsin
State Offices Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
PO Box 8911
2811 Agriculture Dr.
Madison, WI 53708-8911
608-224-4976
Toll free: 1-800-422-7128 (WI)
TTY: 608-224-5058
Fax: 608-224-4939
E-mail: hotline@datcp.state.wi.us
www.datcp.state.wi.us Regional Offices Northeast Regional Office
Dept. of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
200 North Jefferson St., Suite 146A
Green Bay, WI 54301
920-448-5110
Toll free: 1-800-422-7128 (WI)
Fax: 920-448-5118
E-mail: hotline@datcp.state.wi.us
www.datcp.state.wi.us Wyoming
State Offices Consumer Protection Unit
Office of the Attorney General
123 State Capitol
200 W. 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-7874
Toll free: 1-800-438-5799
Fax: 307-777-7956
attorneygeneral.state.wy.us
Additional Resources Consumers Union Advocacy site http://www.consumersunion.org/
This site provides informative and educational materials developed by Consumers Union's advocacy offices on a variety of consumer issues, including health care, financial services, food safety, product safety, and more.
U. S. Consumer Gateway http://www.consumer.gov/ Need government help? Get official information on grants, loans, financial aid, and other benefits from the U.S. government. Very useful for seniors, Vets, parents…health resources, child support services, government jobs, grants and more. State-by-state breakdown included. http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Benefits.shtml
A clearinghouse of consumer information from federal agencies: ScamAlert! provides current information on fraudulent and deceptive practices in the marketplace, including important law-enforcement contacts and tips for avoiding scams.
Federal Citizen Information Center, Pueblo, CO http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/O 81009
Full-text versions of hundreds of federal consumer publications available free of charge from the Federal Citizen Information Center of the U.S. General Services Administration.
Tired of Being ScrewedThe Poor Man’s Guide to Consumer Revenge Each of the links below will take you to a site with useful consumer-oriented resources for fighting back against rip-offs. Although a bit dated, this Word Doc is still useful to read – 50-pages. Download a copy of Andrew Schector’s Guide to Consumer Revenge at: www.consumersrevenge.com/book.doc If you know of other resources, please email them to me. http://www.consumersrevenge.com/ http://consumerist.com/topics/ http://www.consumer-action.org/ http://www.itstheroi.com/rant/10-ways-consumers-can-get-revenge-online/ http://www.screwedover.co.uk/ http://www.idahointernetaccess.com/32303i/184/human-stupidity.htm http://www.joeconsumer.info/index.php/consumer-advocacy/3/52-tips-tricks-tools-and-sites-to-help-consumers-fight-back http://www.aarpmagazine.org/lifestyle/consumerguide_fightingback.html http://www.turn.org/article.php?list=type&type=136 http://www.naca.net/help-protect-consumers/ http://www.thesqueakywheel.com/ ECONOMIC SCAMS & CONSUMER RESOURCES Employment: Bogus work-at-home job offers and phishing emails that appear to come from employers or job-listing services are some of the scams now targeting the unemployed. Avoid any job that requires you to pay money up front or involves sending money by Western Union or Moneygram. Use caution when posting your resume online and protect your personal information. Don’t click on links sent in e-mails. Ignore requests to do a "credit check" prior to being offered a job. Check out potential employers with the Better Business Bureau. Be suspicious of if an employer uses a common e-mail account such as Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail or MSN instead of a corporate domain, or if the only provided contact information is a PO Box or a number that always goes to voicemail. Debt Relief: Be wary of offers to reduce your debt. Be skeptical of any business that asks for money up front and run from those who promise they can repair a bad credit report or that quickly recommend bankruptcy as a solution. If you’re looking for help, it’s important to understand the differences between debt consolidation programs, which may help you pay off your debt, and debt negotiation plans, which can be risky. The Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau both provide helpful information about these programs. Housing: In this time of rising mortgage rates, desperate homeowners have been lured by offers of assistance – only to be cheated out of equity they’ve built up, tricked into transferring ownership of their home or stuck paying expensive fees for little or no help.
Stimulus Grants: Beware of companies that offer “free” advice on how to get government grants or a stimulus check. Contrary to claims found on many Web sites, the federal government does not award grants to help consumers pay general debt. Some of these Web sites are "phishing" sites designed to steal your personal information. Others enroll you in multiple paid programs. Never provide personal information to someone promising stimulus cash, they’re likely after your money or your identity. Information about legitimate government grants is available at http://wwwpoormansurvival.com CREDIT COUNSELING RESOURCES The U.S. Department of Justice’s U.S. Trustee Program Web site: Provides a list of government-approved credit counseling agencies. The National Foundation for Consumer Counseling, online or 1-800-388-2227: Provides a list of member agencies. Federal Trade Commission’s “Knee Deep in Debt ” publication: Advice for those overwhelmed by
Federal Recovery Web site: Official federal site for information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
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