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Consumer's Resource Handbook
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments iv
Using this Handbook 1
What's in the Handbook 1
Other Sources of Help 2
Other Consumer Information 4
Part I. Buying Smart 5
Protecting Yourself 5
Red Flags of Fraud 6
Complaining Effectively 6
Writing a Complaint Letter 7
Sample Complaint Letter 8
Consumer Tips 9
Car Repair, Purchase, Renting and Other Concerns 9
Mail Order 12
Mail Fraud 13
Telemarketing 13
Calls That Cost: 900 Numbers and Other Pay-Per-Call Services 14
Door-to-Door Sales 15
Home Improvement 16
Home Financing 17
Selecting a Financial Institution 18
Credit 19
Consumer Privacy 22
Advance Fee Scams 23
Special Contracts 23
Travel Scams 25
Rent-To-Own 25
Product Safety and Recalls 26
Nutrition Labeling 27
Part II. Consumer Assistance Directory 29
Corporate Consumer Contacts 29
National Consumer Organizations 56
Car Manufacturers 59
Better Business Bureaus 63
Trade Association and Other Dispute Resolution Programs 67 State,
County and City Government Consumer Protection Offices 70 State
Agencies on Aging 83
State Banking Authorities 87
State Insurance Regulators 89
State Securities Administrators 91
State Utility Commissions 93
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies 95
State Weights and Measures Offices 99
Military Commissary and Exchange Offices 102
Federal Information Center 104
Selected Federal Agencies 105
Federal TDD Directory 111
Index 116
Acknowledgments
The U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs wishes to express its
gratitude to the members of the focus group which provided many
ideas and suggestions for this edition of the Handbook.
Mr. John Barker
National Consumers League
Dr. Elizabeth Brabble
School of Business
Howard University
Mr. Emmitt Carlton
National Association of Attorneys General
Mr. Hoyte Decker
U.S. Department of Transportation
Ms. Anna Flores
National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators
Ms. Susan Giesberg
President, National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators
Mr. George Idelson
Consumer Affairs Letter
Ms. Denise Kelleher
Head of Reference
Arlington County (VA) Libraries
Ms. Nellie Miller
Montgomery County (MD) Office of Consumer Affairs
Ms. Jean Otte
Corporate Vice President
National Car Rental
Ms. Shirley Rooker
Call for Action
Ms. Diane VanLonkhuyzen
Food Safety and Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Ms. Dianne Ward
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
Ms. Gilda Warnick
D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Using this Handbook
The Consumer's Resource Handbook is divided into two sections.
Part I, "Buying Smart," lists tips on getting the most for your
money, handling your own complaint and writing a complaint
letter. Part I also provides tips on several consumer issues,
including protecting personal privacy and preventing credit card
fraud.
Part II of the Handbook, which is updated every two years by the
U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs (USOCA), lists offices you can
contact for help with consumer problems or questions. This section
includes "National Consumer Organizations," "Corporate Consumer
Contacts," "Car Manufacturers," "Better Business
Bureaus," "Trade Association and Other Dispute Resolution
Programs," "State, County and City Government Consumer Offices,"
"Selected Federal Agencies," and "Military Commissary and
Exchange Contacts." Check the "Table of Contents" for a complete
list of the offices in this part of the book.
There is a subject "index" at the back of the Handbook to help you
locate information about specific topics.
What's in the Handbook
National Consumer Organizations
There are a number of national organizations whose missions are
defined as consumer assistance, protection and/or advocacy.
Several of these organizations assist consumers directly; others
are interested in hearing from consumers about problems and
concerns; most, though not all, develop educational materials for
consumers. Addresses, telephone numbers and descriptions of more
than 30 of these organizations are listed in the National
Consumer Organizations" section of this Handbook, beginning on page
56.
Corporate Consumer Contacts
Many companies have consumer affairs or customer relations
departments to answer questions or help resolve consumer
complaints.
The addresses and telephone numbers of more than 550 companies are
listed in the "Corporate Consumer Contacts" section of this
Handbook, beginning on page 29. If you write to the company, you
may use the sample letter on page 8 as a guide for your own letter.
Car Manufacturers
Most foreign and American car manufacturers have national or
regional offices which handle consumer complaints not resolved by
your local car dealer. The list of "Car Manufacturers" begins on
page 59.
Better Business Bureaus
There are approximately 63 Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) in the
United States. These bureaus are non-profit organizations,
sponsored by private local businesses. They offer a variety of
services. These services include general information on products
or services, reliability reports, background information on local
businesses and organizations, and records of a company's
complaint-handling performance.
The Council of Better Business Bureaus, which is sponsored by
national companies, also offers consumer education programs and
reports on charitable organizations. The address for the council
and a list of BBBs operating in the United States begin on page 63.
Trade Association and Other Dispute Resolution Programs
There are nearly 40,000 trade and professional associations in the
United States, representing a variety of interests (for example,
banking, insurance, clothing manufacturing) and
professions (for example, accountants, lawyers, doctors,
therapists).
Some of these associations and their members have established
programs to help consumers with complaints not resolved at the
point of purchase.
Trade associations have various consumer functions, which are
described in National Trade & Professional Associations of the
United States. Check your local library for this book and
related sources of help.
A list of "Trade Association and Other Dispute Resolution
Programs" begins on page 67.
State, County and City Government Consumer Offices
State and local consumer protection offices can help you resolve
consumer complaints and provide you with consumer education
information. These agencies might mediate complaints, conduct
investigations, prosecute offenders of consumer laws, license and
regulate professions, promote strong consumer protection
legislation, provide educational materials and advocate in the
consumer interest. It is important to report complaints and
suspected frauds and misrepresentations to these governmental
agencies. Consumer complaints form the basis of most consumer
protection law enforcement actions.
If you want to file a complaint, call your local consumer
protection office to learn what you need to do. A list of state,
county and city government consumer protection offices begins on
page 70.
Many states also have special commissions and agencies to handle
consumer questions and complaints about aging, banks, insurance,
utilities, vocational and rehabilitation services, weights and
measures, and securities. These agencies are listed separately,
beginning on page 83.
In addition, a variety of other helpful community services might be
available in your area. For example, county and state
Cooperative Extension Services offer information about health,
safety, product comparisons, financial planning and nutritional
needs. Information about these and other state and local
services can be found at your library and in the telephone
directory in the city, municipal, county or state government
listings.
Selected Federal Agencies
Many Federal government agencies can help you with consumer
questions and complaints. A number of these agencies have
enforcement authority and/or complaint-handling responsibilities.
The Federal agencies listed, beginning on page 105, respond to
consumer complaints and inquiries.
A list of Federal agencies with Telecommunications Devices for the
Deaf (TDDs) begins on page 111.
Military Commissary and Exchange Contacts
Interested consumers will find a list of "Military Commissary and
Exchange Contacts" on page 102. The list includes the regional
offices and headquarters for all the Armed Forces Exchanges and
Commissaries.
Other Sources of Help
Libraries
The local library can be a good source of help. Many of the
publications mentioned in this Handbook can be found in public
libraries. Some university and other private libraries also allow
individuals to use their reference materials. Check your local
telephone directory for the location of nearby libraries. Media
Programs
Local newspapers and radio and television stations often have
"Action Line" or "Hot Line" services. These programs might be able
to help consumers with their problems. Sometimes these programs,
because of their influence in the community, are
successful in helping to resolve consumer complaints. Some action
lines select only the most severe problems or those that occur most
frequently. They might not be able to handle every complaint.
To find these services, check with your local newspapers, radio and
television stations, or local library.
Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards
Many state agencies license or register members of various
professions, including doctors, plumbers, electricians, car repair
shops, employment agencies, beauticians, and television and radio
repair shops. In some states, local consumer agencies license or
register some professions.
In addition to setting licensing standards, these boards also issue
rules and regulations; prepare and give examinations; issue, deny
or revoke licenses; bring disciplinary actions; and handle consumer
complaints.
Many boards have referral services or consumer education
materials to help you select a professional. If you have a
complaint and contact a licensing agency, the agency will contact
the professional on your behalf. If necessary, they might
conduct an investigation and take disciplinary action against the
professional. This action can include probation or license
suspension or revocation.
To find the local office of an occupational or professional
licensing board, check your local telephone directory under the
headings of "Licensing Boards" or "Professional Associations," or
look for the name of the individual agency. If you need help
locating the right office, contact your state or local consumer
office.
Legal Help
Please note that some of the sources of help listed in the
Consumer's Resource Handbook have a policy of declining
complaints from consumers who have sought prior legal counsel.
Small Claims Court
Small claims courts were established to resolve disputes
involving claims for small debts and accounts. While the maximum
amounts that can be claimed or awarded differ from state to state,
court procedures generally are simple, inexpensive, quick and
informal. Court fees are minimal, and you often get your filing
fee back if you win your case. Generally, you will not need a
lawyer. In fact, in some states, lawyers are not
permitted. If you live in a state that allows lawyers and the
party you are suing brings one, do not be intimidated. The court
is informal, and most judges make allowances for consumers who
appear without lawyers.
Remember, even though the court is informal, the ruling must be
followed, just like the ruling of any other court.
If the party bringing the suit wins the case, the party who lost
often will follow the court's decision without additional legal
action. Sometimes, however, losing parties will not obey the
decision. In these cases, the winning party can go back to court
and ask for the order to be "enforced." Depending on local laws,
the court might, for example, order property to be taken by law
enforcement officials and sold. The winning party will get the
money from the sale, up to the amount owed. Alternatively, if the
person who owes the money receives a salary, the court might order
the employer to garnish or deduct money from each paycheck and give
it to the winner of the lawsuit.
Check your local telephone book under the municipal, county or
state government headings for small claims court offices. When you
contact the court, ask the court clerk how to use the small claims
court. Many state and local consumer agencies have
consumer educational material to prepare you for small claims court
(see page 70). To better understand the process, sit in on a small
claims court session before taking your case to court. Many small
claims courts have created dispute resolution programs to help
citizens resolve their disputes. These dispute
resolution processes (e.g., mediation and conciliation) often
simplify the process. For example, in mediation, both people
involved in the small claims dispute meet, sometimes in the
evenings or on weekends, and with the assistance of a neutral,
third-party mediator, discuss the situation and create their own
agreement.
Research indicates that if both people show up for the mediation,
85%-90% of the time an agreement is reached. Just as
importantly, researchers learned in follow-up, six months after the
session, that 85% of the agreements were "substantially fulfilled."
Considering this, when you contact your small claims court, ask
first about their mediation or conciliation process.
For additional information about dispute resolution, contact the
American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Dispute
Resolution, 1800 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, (202)
331-2258.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid offices help individuals who cannot afford to hire
private lawyers. There are more than 1,000 of these offices around
the country staffed by lawyers, paralegals and law
students. All offer free legal services to those who qualify.
Funding is provided by a variety of sources, including Federal,
state and local governments and private donations. Many law
schools nationwide conduct clinics in which law students, as part
of their training, assist practicing lawyers with these cases.
Legal Aid offices generally offer legal assistance with such
problems as landlord-tenant relations, credit, utilities, family
issues (e.g., divorce and adoption), foreclosure and home equity
fraud, social security, welfare, unemployment and workmen's
compensation. Each Legal Aid office has its own board of
directors which determines the priorities of the office and the
kinds of cases handled. If the Legal Aid office in your area does
not handle your type of case, it should be able to refer you to
other local, state or national organizations that can provide
advice or help. Check the telephone directory to find the
address and telephone number of the Legal Aid office near you. If
you would like a directory of Legal Aid offices around the country,
contact the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, 1625 K
Street, N.W., 8th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006, (202) 452-0620.
Legal Services Corporation
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) was created by Congress in
1974. There are LSC offices in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, Guam and Micronesia. To find the LSC office
nearest you, check the telephone directory, call the Federal
Information Center (FIC) listed on page 104, or call the LSC Public
Affairs Office at (202) 863-4089. If you wish to buy a full
directory of all LSC programs, write or call:
Public Affairs
Legal Services Corporation
400 Virginia Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024-2751
(202) 863-4089
Finding a Lawyer
If you need help finding a lawyer, check with the Lawyer Referral
Service of your state, city or county bar association listed in
local telephone directories.
Complaints about a lawyer should be referred to your state, county
or city bar association.
Other Consumer Information
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
Counseling services provide assistance to individuals having
difficulty budgeting their money and/or meeting necessary monthly
expenses. Many organizations, including credit unions, family
service centers and religious organizations, offer some type of
free or low-cost credit counseling.
The Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) is one non-profit
organization that provides money management techniques, debt
payment plans and educational programs. Counselors take into
consideration the needs of the client, as well as the needs of the
creditor, when working out a debt repayment plan. You can find the
CCCS office nearest you by contacting the National Foundation of
Consumer Credit, Inc., 8611 Second Avenue, Suite 100, Silver
Spring, MD 20910-3372, 1 (800) 388-CCCS (toll free). Consumer
Groups
Private and voluntary consumer organizations usually are created to
advocate specific consumer interests. In some communities, they
will help individual consumers with complaints. However, they have
no enforcement authority. To find out if such a group is in your
community, contact your state or local government consumer
protection office. A list of the state and local
offices begins on page 70.
Consumer Information Catalog
The Consumer Information Catalog lists approximately 200 free or
low-cost Federal booklets with helpful information for consumers.
Topics include careers and education, cars, child care, the
environment, Federal benefits, financial planning, food and
nutrition, health, housing, small business and more. This free
Catalog is published quarterly by the Consumer Information Center
of the U.S. General Services Administration. Single copies of the
Catalog only may be ordered by sending your name and address to
Catalog, Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 or by
calling (719) 948-4000. Non-profit groups that can distribute 25
copies or more each quarter automatically can receive copies by
writing for a bulk mail card.
Part I. Buying Smart
Protecting Yourself
Consumers are faced with a marketplace full of decisions. Ask the
right questions before and after you buy and avoid consumer fraud
and rip-offs.
Before you buy
o Take advantage of sales, but compare prices. Do not assume an
item is a bargain just because it is advertised as one.
o Don't rush into a large purchase because the "price is only good
today."
o Check to see if the company is licensed or registered at the
local or state level.
o Contact your consumer protection office or Better Business
Bureau (BBB) for any complaint recorded against the company.
Request any consumer information they might have on the type of
purchase.
o Be aware of such extra charges as delivery fees, installation
charges, service costs, and postage and handling fees. Add them
into the total cost.
o Ask about the seller's refund or exchange policy.
o Read the warranty. Note what is covered and what is not. Find
out what you must do and what the manufacturer or seller must do if
there is a problem.
o Don't sign a contract without reading it. Don't sign a
contract if there are any blank spaces in it or if you don't
understand it. In some states, it is possible to sign away your
home to someone else.
o Before buying a product or service, contact your consumer
protection office to see if there are automatic cancellation
periods for the purchase you are making. In some states, there are
cancellation periods for dating clubs, health clubs, and timeshare
and campground memberships. Federal law gives you cancellation
rights for certain door-to-door sales.
o Walk out or hang up on high-pressure sales tactics. Don't be
forced or pressured into buying something.
o Only do business over the telephone with companies you know.
o Be suspicious of P.O. Box addresses. They might be mail drops.
If you have a complaint, you might have trouble locating the
company.
o Do not respond to any prize or gift offer that requires you to
pay even a small amount of money.
o Use unit pricing in supermarkets to compare what items cost.
Unit pricing allows you to compare the price ounce-for-ounce,
pound-for-pound, etc. As an example, bigger packages are not
always cheaper than smaller ones.
o Use coupons carefully. Do not assume they are the best deal
until you've compared them to the prices of competitive products.
o Make sure all documents you sign are in a language you
understand.
o Don't rely on a salesperson's promises. Get everything in
writing.
Remember:
1. First contact the seller if you have a complaint.
2. If that does not resolve your problem, contact the company
headquarters.
3. If your problem is still unresolved, refer to the subject index
for the organizations, or local, state and Federal offices that
provide help in cases like yours.
4. Taking legal action should be the last resort. However, if you
decide to exercise this right, be aware that you might have to act
within a certain time period. Check with your lawyer about any
statutes that apply to your case.
After you buy
o Read and follow product and service instructions.
o Be aware that how you use and take care of a product might
affect your warranty rights.
o Keep all sales receipts, warranties, service contracts and
instructions.
o If you have a problem, contact the company as soon as
possible. Trying to fix the product yourself might cancel your
right to service under the warranty.
o Keep a written record of your contact with the company. o If
you have a problem, check with your consumer protection office to
find out about the warranty rights in your state. o If you paid
for your purchase with a credit card, you have important rights
that might help you dispute charges. (See the "Consumer Tips"
section, page 20.)
o Check your contract for any statement about your cancellation
rights. Contact your consumer protection office to see if a
cancellation period applies.
o If you take the product in for repair, be sure the technician
understands and writes down the problem you have described. Red
Flags of Fraud
Consumer protection offices urge consumers to be aware of the red
flags of fraud. Walk away from bogus offers. Toss out the mail or
hang up when you hear:
o "Sign now or the price will increase;"
o "You have been specially selected...;"
o "You have won...;"
o "All we need is your credit card (or bank account) number -for
identification only;"
o "All you pay is for postage, handling, taxes...;"
o "Make money in your spare time - guaranteed income...;" o "We
really need you to buy magazines (a water purifier, a vacation
package, office products) from us because we can earn 15 extra
credits...;"
o "I just happen to have some leftover paving material from a job
down the street...;"
o "Be your own boss! Never work for anyone else again. Just send
in $50 for your supplies and...;"
o "A new car! A trip to Hawaii! $2,500 in cash! Yours,
absolutely free! Take a look at our...;"
o "Your special claim number entitles you to join our
sweepstakes...;" or
o "We just happen to be in your area and have toner for your copy
machine at a reduced price."
Remember, the smart consumer always looks at the total price before
deciding and checks out the company and product before buying.
Stay away from telemarketers who want to:
o send a courier service for your money;
o have you send money by wire;
o automatically withdraw money from your checking account; o
offer you a free prize, but charge handling and shipping fees;
o ask for your credit card number, checking or savings account
number, social security number or other personal information; and
o get payment in advance especially for employment referrals,
credit repair, or providing a loan or credit card.
Stay away from lotteries, pyramid schemes and multi-level sales
schemes. They are all good ways to separate you from your money.
Complaining Effectively
Save all purchase-related paperwork in a file. Include copies of
sales receipts, repair orders, warranties, canceled checks,
contracts, and any letters to or from the company. When you have
a problem:
o Contact the business that sold you the item or performed the
service. Calmly and accurately describe the problem and what
action you would like taken.
o Keep a record of your efforts to resolve the problem. When you
write to the company, describe the problem, what you have done so
far to try to resolve it and what solution you want. For example,
do you want your money back, the product repaired or the product
exchanged?
Allow time for the person you contacted to resolve your problem.
Keep notes of the name of the person you spoke with, the date and
what was done. Save copies of all letters to and from the
company. Don't give up if you are not satisfied.
o Contact the company headquarters if you have not resolved your
problem at the local level. Many companies have a toll-free 800
number. Look for it on package labeling, in a directory of 800
telephone numbers (available at your local library), by calling 1
(800) 555-1212 (toll free) or by referring to the many corporate
consumer contacts, beginning on page 29. Address your letter to
the consumer office or the company's president.
Writing a Complaint Letter
Where to send it
o Check the product label or warranty for the name and address of
the manufacturer.
o If you need additional help locating company information, check
the reference section of your local library for the
following books: Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations,
Directors and Executives; Standard Directory of Advertisers; Trade
Names Dictionary; and Dun & Bradstreet Directory.
o If you have the brand, but cannot find the name of the
manufacturer, the Thomas Register of American Manufacturers lists
the manufacturers of thousands of products. Check your local
library.
o Each state has an agency (possibly the corporation commission or
secretary of state's office) that provides addresses for companies
incorporated in that state.
o Remember, do business with a company you will be able to find
later. It might be difficult to find companies in other states or
those listing post office boxes as addresses. Even if you have an
address, it might be only a mail drop, so be sure you know where
the company you are doing business with is located physically.
What to say
o Include in the letter your name, address, home or work
telephone numbers, and account number, if any.
o Make your letter brief and to the point. Include the date and
place you made the purchase, who performed the service, such
information about the product as the serial or model number or
warranty terms, what went wrong, with whom you have tried to
resolve the problem and what you want done to correct the
problem.
o Use the sample consumer complaint letter on the following page
as a guide.
o Include copies, not originals, of all documents.
o Be reasonable, not angry or threatening, in your letter. Type
your letter, if possible, or make sure your handwriting is neat and
easy to read.
o Keep a copy of all letters to and from the company.
o You might want to send your complaint letter with a return
receipt requested. This will cost more, but will give you proof
that the letter was received and tell you who signed for it. o
If you feel you have given the company enough time to resolve the
problem, send a copy of your letter to, or file a consumer
complaint with, your local or state consumer protection agency,
such specific state agencies as banking, insurance and utilities,
or local Better Business Bureau. Their addresses can be found
starting on pages 70, 87 and 63, respectively. Include
information about what you have done so far to try to resolve your
complaint. If you think a law has been broken, contact your local
or state consumer protection agency right away.
Sample Complaint Letter
(Your Address)
(Your City, State, ZIP Code)
(Date)
(Name of Contact Person, if available)
(Title, if available)
(Company Name)
(Consumer Complaint Division, if you have no contact person)
(Street Address)
(City, State, ZIP Code)
Dear (Contact Person):
Re: (account number, if applicable)
On (date), I (bought, leased, rented, or had repaired) a (name
of the product with serial or model number or service performed) at
(location, date and other important details of the
transaction).
Unfortunately, your product (or service) has not performed well (or
the service was inadequate) because (state the problem). I am
disappointed because (explain the problem: for example, the product
does not work properly, the service was not performed correctly, I
was billed the wrong amount, something was not disclosed clearly or
was misrepresented, etc.).
To resolve the problem, I would appreciate your (state the
specific action you want - money back, charge card credit,
repair, exchange, etc.). Enclosed are copies (do not send
originals) of my records (include receipts, guarantees,
warranties, canceled checks, contracts, model and serial numbers,
and any other documents).
I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem, and
will wait until (set a time limit) before seeking help from a
consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau. Please
contact me at the above address or by phone at (home and/or office
numbers with area codes).
Sincerely,
(your name)
Enclosure(s)
cc: (reference to whom you are sending a copy of this letter, if
anyone)
Consumer Tips
This section contains a number of suggestions to help you become a
smarter consumer. It includes tips on how to buy a car, avoid
fraud and protect your privacy.
Remember to check with your local consumer protection office and
Better Business Bureau for other consumer information on a
variety of topics. Their addresses and phone numbers are listed on
pages 70 and 63, respectively.
Car Repair, Purchase, Renting and Other Concerns
Car Repair
o Choose a reliable repair shop recommended to you by family or
friends or an independent consumer rating organization. Check out
the repair shop's complaint record with your state or local
consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau.
o When you take the car to the shop, describe the symptoms. Don't
diagnose the problem.
o Get more than one estimate. Get them in writing.
o Make it clear that work cannot begin until you have authorized
it. Don't authorize work without a written estimate, or if the
problem can't be diagnosed on the spot, insist that the shop
contact you for your authorization once the trouble has been found.
o Don't sign a blank repair order. Make sure the repair order
reflects what you want done before you sign it.
o Is the repair covered under warranty? Follow the warranty
instructions.
o Ask the shop to keep the old parts for you.
o Get all warranties in writing.
o Some car manufacturers might be willing to repair certain
problems without charge even though the warranty has expired.
Contact the manufacturer's zone representative or the dealer's
service department for assistance.
o Keep copies of all paperwork.
Some states, cities and counties have special laws that deal with
auto repairs. For information on the laws in your state, contact
your state or local consumer protection office.
Buying A Used Car
o Check newspaper ads and used car guides at a local library so
you know what's a fair price for the car you want. Remember,
prices are negotiable. You also can look up repair recalls for car
models you might be considering.
o Call the Auto Safety Hotline at 1 (800) 424-9393 to get recall
information on a car. Authorized dealers of that make of vehicle
must do recall work for free no matter how old the car is. o
Shop during daylight hours so that you can thoroughly inspect the
car and take a test drive. Don't forget to check all the lights,
air conditioner, heater and other parts of the electrical system.
o Do not agree to buy a car unless you've had it inspected by an
independent mechanic of your choice.
o Ask questions about the previous ownership and mechanical
history of the car. Contact the former owner to find out if the
car was in an accident or had any other problems.
o Check with your local department of motor vehicles to find out
what you need in order to register a car.
o Ask the previous owner or the manufacturer for a copy of the
original manufacturer's warranty. It still might be in effect and
transferable to you.
o Don't sign anything that you don't understand. Read all
documents carefully. Negotiate the changes you want and get them
written into the contract.
o For information on recalls and safety issues, see page 10 under
new car sales.
Buying from a Private Individual
Generally, private sellers have less responsibility than dealers
for defects or other problems.
o Check with your state's motor vehicle department on what you
will need to register a vehicle.
o Make sure the seller isn't a dealer posing as an individual.
That might mean the dealer is trying to evade the law and might be
an indicator of problems with the car. Look at the title and
registration. Make sure the seller is the registered owner of the
vehicle.
o Ask the seller lots of detailed questions about the car. o
Have the car inspected by your mechanic before you agree to buy it.
Buying from a Dealer
Check the complaint records of car dealers with your state or local
consumer protection agency or Better Business Bureau. o Read the
"Buyers Guide" sticker required to be displayed in the window of
the car. It gives information on warranties, if any are offered,
and provides other information.
o In most states, used cars may be sold "as is." If the "as is"
box is checked off on the "Buyers Guide," you have no warranty. o
If the "warranty" box is checked off on the "Buyers Guide," ask for
a copy of the warranty and review it before you agree to buy the
car.
o Have the car inspected by your mechanic before you agree to buy
it.
o Some states have laws giving extra protection to used car
buyers. Contact your state or local consumer protection office to
find out what rights you might have.
o To order a free publication on buying a used car, contact the
Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference Section, 6th and
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 130, Washington, DC 20580, (202)
326-2222.
Buying A New Car
o Evaluate your needs and financial situation. Read consumer
magazines and test drive several models before you make a final
choice.
o Find out the dealer's invoice price for the car and options.
This is what the manufacturer charged the dealer for the car. You
can order this information for a small fee from consumer
publications you can find at your local library.
o Find out if the manufacturer is offering rebates that will lower
the cost.
o Get price quotes from several dealers. Find out if the
amounts quoted are the prices before or after the rebates are
deducted.
o Keep your trade-in negotiations separate from the main deal.
o Compare financing from different sources, for example, banks,
credit unions and other dealers before you sign the contract. o
Read and understand every document you are asked to sign. Do not
sign anything until you have made a final decision to buy. o
Think twice about adding expensive extras, you probably don't need,
to your purchase, for example, credit insurance, service contracts
or rustproofing.
o Inspect and test drive the vehicle you plan to buy, but do not
take possession of the car until the whole deal,including
financing, is finalized.
o Don't buy on impulse or because the salesperson is pressuring
you to make a decision.
o The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety
Hotline at 1 (800) 424-9393 (toll free) distributes recall and
safety information on used and new cars, trucks, motorcycles, motor
homes, child seats and other motor vehicle equipment; vehicle crash
test information; tire quality grading reports; child seat
registration forms; and other safety literature. You should report
all vehicle and child seat defect information to the Hotline (see
page 108).
o The Center for Auto Safety (see page 56) monitors auto
defects. To see if there is a pattern of repeated complaints on a
certain vehicle model, write the Center for Auto Safety, 2001 S
Street, N.W., Suite 410, Washington, DC 20009 and include the
vehicle make, model and year, and a self-addressed stamped
envelope.
Credit and Sublease Brokers
A new and rapidly growing area of consumer fraud involves con
artists who prey on people who have bad credit and who are having
problems getting loans to buy cars. There are two main schemes:
o The "credit broker" promises to get a loan for you in exchange
for a high fee. In many cases, the "broker" takes the fee and
disappears, or simply refers you to high-interest loan companies.
o The "sublease" broker charges a fee to arrange for you to
"sublease" or "take over" someone else's car lease or loan. Such
deals usually violate the original loan or lease agreement. Your
car can be repossessed even if you've made all of your payments.
You also might have trouble insuring your car.
To protect yourself:
o check with your state or local consumer protection agency to
find out if the broker is required to be licensed;
o do not do business with a company that does not appear to be
complying with state law; and
o do not pay for services in advance.
To order a free publication on how to buy a new or used car,
contact the Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference Section, 6th
and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 130, Washington, DC 20580,
(202) 326-2222.
Car Leasing
o Shop around for the best leasing deal. Read lease promotions
carefully. The attractive low monthly payment might be available
only if you make a large down payment (capitalized cost
reduction) or a balloon payment at the end of the lease.
o Beware of open-end leases. They require the consumer to pay the
difference if the vehicle is worth less at the end of the lease
than was estimated originally.
o The Consumer Leasing Act requires leasing companies to give you
important information in writing before you sign a contract. Read
the documents given to you by the leasing company and make sure you
understand them before you sign anything. In
particular, look for:
-up-front costs, for example, security deposits, down payments,
advanced payments and taxes;
-the terms of the payment plan;
-termination costs, for example, excess mileage penalties,
excessive wear and tear charges, and disposition charges; and -
penalties for early termination or default.
When you have paid off a car loan, you own the car. When you have
paid off the lease, you own nothing.
To order a free publication on car leasing, contact the Federal
Trade Commission, Public Reference Section, 6th and Pennsylvania
Avenue, N.W., Room 130, Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-2222.
Lemon Laws
Almost every state has a new car "lemon law" that allows the owner
a refund or replacement when a new vehicle has a
substantial problem that is not fixed within a reasonable number of
attempts. Many specify a refund or replacement when a
substantial problem is not fixed in four repair attempts or the car
has been out of service for 30 days within the first 12,000
miles/12 months. If you believe that your car is a lemon: o
contact your state or local consumer protection office for
information on the laws in your state and the steps you must take
to resolve the situation;
o give the dealer a list of symptoms every time you bring it in
for repairs; keep copies for your records;
o get copies of the repair orders showing the reported problems,
the repairs performed and the dates that the car was in the shop;
and
o contact the manufacturer, as well as the dealer, to report the
problem. Some state laws require that you do so to give the
manufacturer a chance to fix the problem. Your owner's manual will
list an address for the manufacturer.
If the problem isn't resolved, you might have the option of
participating in an arbitration program offered by the
manufacturer or your state. Contact your state or local consumer
protection office for information.
Lemon Law Summary is available upon request by sending a self-
addressed, stamped (52 cents) envelope to the Center for Auto
Safety, 2001 S Street, N.W., Suite 410, Washington, DC 20009.
Vehicle Repossessions
When you borrow money to buy a car, you should know that:
o The lender can repossess if you miss a payment or for any
default (a violation of the contract).
o The lender can repossess without advance notice.
o After repossession, the lender might be able to accelerate,
meaning the lender can require the borrower to pay off the entire
balance of the loan in order for the borrower to get the vehicle
back.
o The lender can sell the vehicle at auction.
o The lender might be able to sue the borrower for the
deficiency if it sells the car for less than the borrower owes.
This is true even in voluntary repossessions.
o The lender cannot commit a "breach of the peace," for example,
breaking into a home or physically threatening someone, in the
course of a repossession.
If you know you're going to be late with a payment, talk to the
lender to try to work things out. If the lender agrees to a delay
or to modify the contract, be sure you get the agreement in
writing.
Some states have laws which give consumers additional rights.
Contact your state or local consumer protection office for more
information.
To order a free publication on vehicle repossessions, contact the
Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference Section, 6th and
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Room 130, Washington, DC 20580, (202)
326-2222.
Renting A Car
Federal law does not cover short-term car and truck rentals.
However, there are state laws that do. You should contact your
state or local consumer protection office for more information on
laws in your area.
o Shop around for the best rates.
o Compare all fees, in addition to the daily/weekly rate, before
renting.
o Most car rental contracts make the consumer liable for all
damage to the vehicle, no matter who caused it. Before buying a
rental company's collision or loss damage waiver, check with your
own car insurance company and your credit card company to see if
they cover car rentals and to what extent. It pays to do your
homework because these policies can add $3 to $15 per day to your
rental charges! Rental companies also might sell loss of use and
liability insurance. Check with your insurance agent in advance,
so you do not duplicate coverage you already have.
o If you pay by credit card, some rental companies will place a
hold or freeze on your account during the rental period. Others
might start to charge your account before the rental period is
over. Find out the company's policy in advance.
o Carefully inspect the vehicle and its tires before renting and
write down all the dents and scratches you see.
o Check refueling policies. You can refill at a local gas
station, you can let the car rental company refuel the car at its
price, which is usually higher, or you can pay in advance for a
refill which will cost you needlessly if there is any unused gas
upon returning the vehicle.
o Contact your state or local consumer protection agency for
information on state law or to report problems with your car
rental.
o To order a free publication on car rental, contact the Federal
Trade Commission, Public Reference Section, 6th and Pennsylvania
Avenue, N.W., Room 130, Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-2222.
Mail Order
Federal mail order rules require companies that take consumers'
orders by mail to:
o ship the merchandise within 30 days of receiving a completed
order or within a different timeframe if it is stated in their ads;
o notify consumers if shipment can't be made on time and give them
the choice of waiting longer or receiving refunds; and o cancel
their orders and return their money (or give them credits on their
charge accounts) if the revised shipping date can't be met, unless
the consumers agree to another delay. There also might be laws
regarding mail order in your state. Contact your state or local
consumer protection agency.
o Keep a record of the name, address and phone number of the
company, goods you ordered, date of your order, amount you paid and
method of payment.
o Keep a record of any delivery period that was promised. o
If you are told that the shipment will be delayed, write the date
of that notice in your records and the new shipping date if you've
agreed to wait longer.
o When you cancel an order that wasn't shipped on time, you have
the right to get a refund within seven days or within one billing
cycle for charged sales.
o When you use your credit card for mail order purchases and you
don't receive the goods or services, or they were defective or
misrepresented, use the credit card protection rights described in
the section on Credit Cards, page 18.
o To limit some of the mail you do not want, you can sign up with
the free Mail Preference Service operated by the Direct Marketing
Association, a private trade group. It will instruct its mail
marketing members to take you off their lists. To join, write to
the Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, New York
11735.
To report violations of the Federal mail order rule, contact the
Federal Trade Commission. For information on your state laws,
contact your state or local consumer protection agency. To report
a problem with mail order, contact the U.S. Postal
Inspection Service or the Postal Crime Hotline at 1 (800)
654-8896.
Mail Fraud
o Read the offer carefully. Get the advice of another person
whose opinion you trust.
o Deal only with companies or charities whose reputation and
integrity are known.
o Never give your credit card number or personal, financial or
employment information unless you know with whom you are dealing.
o Never send money for any "free" merchandise or services. o Be
careful of making impulse purchases.
o Keep a record of the order, notes of the conversation and copies
of the advertisement, canceled check, receipt, letters and
envelopes.
o Take the time to shop locally and compare products, services and
prices to those in local stores.
o Check out the company with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,
your state or local consumer protection agency, or the Better
Business Bureau. Mail fraud is a federal crime.
o Using your credit card or a money order might give you some
recourse if you have a problem, despite your carefulness.
Be suspicious of "free gifts" that require a "tax payment" or
"registration fee;" sweepstakes requiring an entry fee or
purchase; employment or work-at-home opportunities requiring a fee;
offers requiring your credit card number or bank account number;
loans that require you to pay a fee in advance; mailings that look
like they are from official government agencies, when they are not;
and prize notices requiring you to call a 900 number.
Telemarketing
While many legitimate businesses use the telephone to make their
sales, it's easy for fraudulent companies to abuse the phone.
Beware of the con artists who promise anything and deliver
nothing, or at least not what customers thought they were
getting.
Tips for Smart Telephone Shopping
o Always keep a record of the name, address and phone number of
the company, goods you ordered, date of your purchase, amount you
paid (including shipping and handling) and method of payment. o
Keep a record of any delivery period that was promised. o If you
are told that the shipment will be delayed, write the date of that
notice in your records and the new shipping date, if you've agreed
to wait longer.
o Don't give your credit card number, checking account number or
other personal information to a telemarketer unless you are
familiar with the company or organization, and the information is
necessary in order to make your purchase.
Telephone Order Rights
o Some states have telemarketing laws that require written
contracts, automatic cancellation periods or registration of
telemarketing companies. Contact your state or local consumer
protection agency. Federal telephone order rules require
companies that take consumers' orders by phone, computer or fax to:
o ship the merchandise within 30 days of receiving a completed
order or within a different timeframe if it is stated in their ads;
o notify consumers if shipment can't be made on time and give them
the choice of waiting longer or receiving refunds; and o cancel
their orders and return their money (or give them credits on their
charge accounts) if the revised shipping date can't be met, unless
the consumers agree to another delay. Use Caution and Common Sense
o Don't be pressured into acting immediately or without the full
information you need.
o Shop around and compare costs and services.
o Report all fraudulent activity to your consumer agency. Check
the company out with your consumer protection agency or the Better
Business Bureau.
o If the solicitation came by mail, call the Postal Crime
Hotline at 1 (800) 654-8896 (toll free) for more advice on not
becoming a victim.
o Call the National Fraud Information Center, administered by the
National Consumers League, at 1 (800) 876-7060 (toll free) for
information about telemarketing fraud.
Blocking Telemarketing Calls
You have the right under federal law:
o to tell a company not to call you by phone or not to contact you
in writing; the company must keep a list of these consumers and not
contact them; keep a record for your file;
o not to get calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.;
o not to receive unsolicited ads by fax; and
o to be disconnected from a pre-recorded machine-delivered message
within five seconds of hanging up.
Some states do not allow telemarketers to call people who do not
want to receive calls. Contact your state or local consumer
protection agency to check your state's rights.
To reduce telephone calls you do not want, you can sign up with the
free Telephone Preference Service operated by the Direct Marketing
Association, a private trade group. To join, write to the
Telephone Preference Service, P.O. Box 9014, Farmingdale, NY 11735.
To report violations of the telephone order rule, contact the
Federal Trade Commission. If you made the telephone transaction in
response to a postcard or other mailing, contact the U.S. Postal
Inspection Service or the Postal Crime Hotline at 1 (800) 654-8896
(toll free). For information on the laws in your state, contact
your state or local consumer protection agency.
Calls That Cost: 900 Numbers and Other Pay-Per-Call Services
Unlike 800 numbers which are free, you pay a fee when you call a
900-type number. The company or organization you're calling sets
the price, not the telephone company. Most states do not
regulate the cost of these calls. Charges can vary from less than
a dollar to more than $50. Federal law requires that: o consumers
be told the cost of calling the number and given a description of
the product and service. This must appear in advertisements and,
for calls costing more than two dollars, in the introductory
message or preamble at the beginning of the call;
o the cost of calling must be disclosed by flat rate, by the
minute with any minimum or maximum charge that can be determined,
or by range of rates for calls with different options; all other
fees charged for services and the cost of any other service to
which a caller might be transferred must be disclosed;
o consumers must be given time to hang up after the introductory
message without being charged; there must be a signal or tone to
let them know when the preamble ends;
o no charges can be made for calling 800 numbers unless the
consumer agrees in advance to be charged;
o any pay-per-call services offering sweepstakes, prizes or awards
must disclose the odds of winning or the factors for determining
the odds;
o ads directed to children under age 12 are not allowed unless
they are for legitimate educational services;
o ads directed primarily to people under the age of 18 must state
that parents' consent is needed to call the number; and o ads for
information about Federal programs offered by private companies
must state clearly that they are not endorsed, approved or
authorized by government agencies.
Protect yourself from fraud by avoiding:
o ads that don't describe clearly the goods or services or the
cost of the calls;
o offers of "free" gifts or prizes just for calling;
o promises of jobs, loans, credit cards for people with poor
credit, "credit repair" or other services aimed at consumers who
are in financial hardship;
o contests to win money in which little or no skill is required;
o services targeted to children under 12 which don't appear to
serve any legitimate educational purpose; and
o offers of cheap travel or any other deals that seem to be "too
good to be true."
Hang up if you're being switched from an 800 number to a 900 number
without your prior consent.
What You Need to Know about 800 Numbers
Generally, you cannot be charged for 800 numbers. However, there
are two exceptions. Charges for an 800 number can be made only if:
o you have a "pre-subscription arrangement" with the company (for
example, with an information service). This means you already have
an agreement to accept charges before you called the 800 number; or
o you agree to a credit card charge.
Your Rights and Recourse
o If you question 900-type number charges which appear on your
phone bill, you can dispute the bill. Your local and long
distance telephone service cannot be disconnected for disputed pay-
per-call charges.
o In most cases, the charge for a pay-per-call service is
collected by the local telephone company on behalf of the service
provider. Follow the instructions on your bill immediately to
dispute the charges. Keep a record of whom you talked to, and the
date and copies of any letters you send. Pay the undisputed
portion of your phone bill.
o Even if the telephone company removes the charges, the debt
might be turned over to a collection agency by the service
provider. Send the collection agency a letter explaining why you
dispute the debt. (See the section on Credit, page 19.)
o To avoid problems with 900-type numbers, you can request
"blocking" from your local phone company. Blocking prevents 900
numbers from being dialed from your phone.
o If you suspect a violation of pay-per-call rules, contact your
state or local consumer protection agency and the Federal Trade
Commission. If the ad for the number came by mail, write to the
U.S. Postal Inspection Service or call the Postal Crime Hotline at
1 (800) 654-8896 (toll free). If you are not satisfied with the
way the phone company handled your complaint, contact the Federal
Communications Commission. (See page 105 for information on how to
contact Federal government agencies.)
Door-to-Door Sales
o Ask to see the salesperson's personal identification and license
or registration if that is required where you live. Make note of
his/her name, the name and address of the company, and whether the
salesperson carries proper identification.
o Ask for sales literature and then call local stores that might
sell the same merchandise to compare prices. Some door-to-door
products might be overpriced.
o Don't be pressured into buying something. Watch for the warning
signs: an offer of a "free gift" if you buy a product, an offer
that is only good for that day, or you're told that a neighbor just
made a purchase.
o If you feel threatened or intimidated, ask the person to leave.
Don't leave the person unattended in any room of your home. If you
are suspicious, report the incident to the police immediately.
Cancellation Rights
o The "Door-to-Door Sales Rule" (or "Cooling Off Rule") gives you
the right to cancel certain purchases costing $25 or more. Notify
the company in writing by midnight of the third business day
following the sale. Saturdays are considered business days, but
Sundays and holidays are not.
o The seller must tell you about your cancellation rights and give
you two dated copies of a cancellation form showing the seller's
name and address and explaining your right to cancel. o These
Federal cancellation rights apply to purchases made in locations
outside the seller's normal place of business, in other words, at
a house party, a temporarily rented room or in your home.
o States might have additional cancellation laws that protect
consumers. Check with your state or local consumer protection
agency for your rights.
o To cancel a contract, sign and date one copy of the
cancellation form. Mail it within the three-day limit, making sure
it's post-marked before midnight of the third business day.
Sending it by certified mail will show proof that it was mailed.
o If you were not given the cancellation form at the time of sale,
your right to cancel continues until three days after the seller
finally gives it to you. You can write your own letter cancelling
the sale and send it return receipt requested.
o Once you cancel, you have a right to a refund within 10 days.
The seller must let you know when the product will be picked up and
must return any paperwork and trade-ins within that time. o
Within 20 days, the seller must pick up the item or reimburse you
for any shipping expenses if you send it back yourself. If you do
not return it, you still are responsible under the
contract.
o Extend your rights! If you paid by credit card, canceled the
contract within three days, have not yet paid the credit card bill
and still have a problem getting a refund, dispute the charges with
your credit card company under the Fair Credit Billing Act, (See
the section on Credit, page 19.)
Home Improvement
o Plan ahead. Know what you want or need to have done before
contacting a contractor.
o Get detailed estimates from reputable contractors. Contact your
local or state consumer agency and Better Business Bureau for
information on contractors' licensing or registration
requirements, complaint records and for brochures containing
advice.
o Contact your local building inspection department to check for
permit and inspection requirements.
o Call your insurance company to find out if you are covered for
any injury or damage that might occur and be sure your contractor
has the required insurance for his/her workers and
subcontractors.
o Insist on a complete written contract. Know exactly what work
will be done, the quality of materials that will be used,
timetables, the names of any subcontractors, the total price of the
job and the schedule of payments.
o You have cancellation rights (usually three business days) in
many home improvement contracts. Before you sign a contract, check
with your local consumer agency to find out if you have
cancellation rights and how they apply.
o Understand your payment options. You can get your own loan or
the contractor might arrange financing. Be sure you have a
reasonable payment schedule at a fair interest rate.
o Some state laws specify payment schedules, for example, only
allowing a certain percentage of the total cost to be made as a
down payment. Contact your state or local consumer agency to find
out what the law is in your area.
o Lien rights, which might give the contractor or subcontractors
the ability to "attach" your home for unpaid bills, vary from state
to state. Ask your local consumer agency to explain the situation
where you live.
o You need to be especially cautious if the contractor:
- comes door-to-door or seeks you out;
- just happens to have material left over from a recent job; -
tells you your job will be a "demonstration;"
- offers you discounts for finding him/her other customers; -
quotes a price that's too cheap;
- pressures you for an immediate decision;
- has workers or suppliers who tell you they have trouble getting
paid;
- can be reached only by leaving messages with an answering
service; or
- drives an unmarked van or has out-of-state plates on his/her
vehicle.
Home Financing
o Check the real estate or business sections in the newspaper for
information on current interest rates. Call several lenders for
rates and terms based on the type of mortgage you want. o When
buying a newly constructed home, compare the interest rate and
terms offered through the builder's sales office with those offered
by other lending institutions.
o When interest rates go down, you might save money by
refinancing, but you probably should not refinance unless the new
interest rate will be at least two percentage points below the rate
you're paying currently.
o For an adjustable rate mortgage, or "ARM," find out the "cap" or
the maximum interest rate that can be charged during the life of
the loan. Ask how often the rate might change and what
determines the rate change.
o Get a complete list of "closing" or "settlement" costs and find
out which costs will be refunded if your loan is not
approved.
o Be wary of financing that is based on "negative amortization."
While the payments might be lower than in other types of loan
agreements, they're not enough to cover the monthly interest
charges. The portion of interest that is left unpaid is added to
the principal, which means that each month, the borrower pays
interest on a higher amount than before. With negative
amortization, the debt actually keeps increasing rather than
decreasing. You could end up owing a lot of money at the end of
the loan or losing your home.
Home Equity Credit Lines
o Although a home equity credit line might allow you to take tax
deductions you could not take with other types of loans, your home
will be at risk if you cannot make the monthly payments. o Some
questions to ask when comparing home equity loan offers: - How
large a credit line can be extended?
- How long is the term of the loan?
- What is the minimum monthly payment? Is there a maximum? -What
is the annual percentage rate?
- If the interest rate "floats," or is adjustable, how much can it
increase at one time? Is there a maximum rate?
- Are there any annual fees or transaction fees?
Reverse Mortgages
o If you own your home, a reverse mortgage loan will pay you in
monthly advances or through a line of credit. It lets you
convert your equity into cash which you can use for any purpose,
while retaining your ownership in your home. Before you sign, be
sure you understand all the terms and conditions.
o Interest rates on this type of loan might be higher and are
charged on a compound basis. Application fees, points and
closing costs also might be higher than other types of loans.
Interest rates are not deductible on your income taxes until you
repay the loan in full. There will be less equity for you and your
heirs in the future.
For more information or to file a complaint, contact:
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Single Family Housing
451 Seventh Street, S.W., Room 9282
Washington, D.C. 20410
(202) 708-3175
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
(See the list beginning on page 70.)
Selecting a Financial Institution
Carefully select a financial institution by comparing the terms and
prices of all of the services you need.
o Shop around. Do not do business with the first institution that
seems willing to do business with you.
o Check the front door to see if the institution displays a
government logo indicating that it is insured Federally.
Generally, if the institution is insured Federally, an individual
is covered for up to $100,000 in deposits if the institution fails.
Truth in Savings Act
o Requires financial institutions to disclose the "Annual
Percentage Yield," or "APY," on savings accounts. The APY tells
you how much money you would earn if you kept $100 in the account
for one year.
o Requires that the institution credit your entire deposit instead
of crediting a portion of your deposit or using a "low balance per
month" method. This increases your earnings.
o Requires that institutions have available a list of their fees
for bounced checks, stop payment orders, certified checks, wire
transfers or similar items. Ask for the list.
o Prohibits institutions from advertising "free" checking if there
are hidden charges or requirements, for example, having to maintain
a minimum balance to qualify.
Checking Accounts
o Before you open a checking account, find out what the fees will
be for writing checks, for bounced checks, for the checks
themselves and for other services. Ask if the institution will
send you the canceled checks with your monthly statement. If not,
find out the cost for copies of canceled checks. You might need
them for proof of payment in some situations.
Loans
o When shopping for a mortgage, check the real estate section of
your local newspaper to find out the current interest rates. Check
the rates for 30-year mortgages, 15-year mortgages and adjustable
rate mortgages. Ask the lending institution to
explain the differences.
o Most home improvement loans are secured by a mortgage on your
home. It's better not to finance expensive credit life insurance
or to consolidate other debts into this loan. Your home will be at
risk for every extra dollar you borrow. If you don't make your
payments, you could lose your home.
o For car loans, compare the rates offered by the car dealer with
those of local lending institutions. Don't add expensive extras
like credit life insurance to the total amount of the loan. You do
not have to purchase credit insurance in order to get a loan.
Credit Cards
o For a small fee, you can purchase a list of the most
competitive interest rates and credit cards in the country and find
out how to qualify for the lowest rate possible by
contacting Bankcard Holders of America, 560 Herndon Parkway, Suite
120, Herndon, VA 22070, (703) 481-1110.
o If you cannot pay off your full credit card balance each month,
a lower interest rate will save you money. If you do pay off your
balance in full each month, choose a card with no annual fee.
o Report billing errors and unauthorized charges to your credit
card company right away. Keep a list of credit card numbers and
card company phone numbers to alert a credit card company
immediately if a card is stolen or missing. If you report the
incident immediately, the most you will have to pay for any
unauthorized charges is $50 on each card, regardless of how high
the total unauthorized charges go before you report your card
missing.
o Don't give your credit card number over the phone to
unfamiliar companies or to people who say they need it to
"verify" your identity in order to give you a prize.
o After signing your name on a credit card charge slip, pull out
the carbons and rip them up.
o A Federal law gives all consumers equal access to credit. The
Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes it illegal for creditors to
discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, sex,
national origin, marital status, age or religion, or because of
public assistance income.
o Be cautious of offers for "secured" credit cards. These cards
usually require you to set aside money in a separate bank account
in an amount equal to the line of credit on the card to guarantee
that you will pay the credit card debt. Some of these offers
advertise that secured cards can be used to "repair" a bad credit
record, but you should know that no matter how well you handle this
account, your payment history on your past debts still will be
taken into consideration when you apply to other lenders for credit
or for employment or housing.
For more information or to file a complaint, contact:
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Office of Consumer Affairs
550 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20429
(202) 898-3536
(202) 898-6726 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 934-3342 (toll free)
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Division of Consumer and Community Affairs
20th and C Streets, N.W.
Mail Stop 198
Washington, DC 20551
(202) 452-3693
(202) 898-6726 (FDIC Voice/TDD)
Comptroller of the Currency
Consumer Affairs
250 E Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20219
(202) 874-4820
Bankcard Holders of America
560 Herndon Parkway, Suite 120
Herndon, VA 22070
(703) 481-1110
National Credit Union Administration
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3428
(703) 518-6300
State Banking Authorities
(See Consumer Assistance Directory, page 87.)
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
(See Consumer Assistance Directory, page 70.)
Credit
Credit Reporting
The three biggest credit reporting agencies, TRW, Equifax and Trans
Union, each have millions of credit files on consumers nationwide.
Their toll-free numbers are:
o TRW - 1 (800) 392-1122;
o Equifax - 1 (800) 685-1111; and
o Trans Union - 1 (800) 851-2674.
You can find other credit bureaus in your area by looking in the
Yellow Pages under Credit Bureaus or Credit Reporting.
If you apply for credit, insurance, a job or to rent an
apartment, your credit record might be examined. You can make sure
yours is accurate.
o Get a copy once a year or before major purchases. Your report
is generally free if you've been denied credit in the past 60 days.
Otherwise, the credit bureau can impose a reasonable charge.
o Read the report carefully. The credit bureau must provide
trained personnel to explain the information in the report. o
Dispute any incorrect information in your credit record. Write to
the credit bureau and be specific about what is wrong with your
report. Send copies of any documents that support your dispute.
In response to your complaint, the credit bureau:
o must investigate your dispute and respond to you, usually within
30-35 days; information that is inaccurate or cannot be verified
must be corrected or taken off your report; and
o cannot be required to remove accurate, verifiable information
that is less than seven years old (10 years for bankruptcies). If
you are dissatisfied with the results of the re-investigation, you
can have the credit bureau include a 100-word consumer
statement, giving your version of the disputed information. You
also can contact the source of the disputed information and try to
resolve the matter.
If there is an error on a report from one credit bureau, the same
mistake might be on others as well. You might want to contact the
three major bureaus, as well as any local bureau listed in the
Yellow Pages of your telephone book.
Credit bureaus sometimes sell your name to banks or others who want
to send you offers for credit cards or other forms of
credit. If you don't want your name included on such lists, write
or call the three major credit bureaus and tell them not to release
your name.
Credit Repair
You might see or hear ads from companies that promise to "clean up"
or "erase" your bad credit and give you a fresh start. They charge
high fees, usually hundreds of dollars, but do not deliver on their
promises.
If you are thinking of paying someone to "repair" your credit,
remember this:
o Negative credit information can be reported for seven years (10
years for a bankruptcy).
o No one can require a credit bureau to remove accurate negative
information before that period is up.
o There are no "loopholes" or laws that credit repair companies
can use to get correct information off your credit report. o No
credit repair company can do anything you can't do for yourself.
(See the section on Credit Reporting, page 19.) o A "money-back
guarantee" does you no good if the company has gone out of business
or refuses to make good on its refund
promise.
o The only way to "repair" bad credit is by good credit
practices over a period of time.
Some credit repair companies promise not just to clean up your
existing credit record, but to help you establish a whole new
credit identity. Remember, it is illegal to make false
statements on a credit application or to misrepresent your Social
Security Number. If you use such methods, you could face fines or
even prison. Beware of any company or method that:
o encourages you to omit or lie about bad credit experience when
you apply for new credit;
o tells you to use a new name or address or a new number, for
example, an Employer Identification Number (EIN), in place of your
Social Security Number in applying for credit; or
o says it is legal to establish a new credit identity.
You can rebuild your good credit by handling credit responsibly.
You might want to contact a Consumer Credit Counseling Service
(CCCS) office. This is a non-profit organization that will provide
help at little or no cost to you. For a CCCS office in your area,
call 1 (800) 388-CCCS.
Credit Billing and Disputes
The Fair Credit Billing Act applies to credit card and charge
accounts and to overdraft checking. It can be used for:
o billing errors;
o unauthorized use of your account;
o goods or services charged to your account, but not received or
not provided as promised; and
o charges for which you request an explanation or written proof of
purchase.
Protect Your Rights
o Write to the creditor or card issuer within 60 days after the
first bill containing the disputed charge is mailed to you. (Even
if more than 60 days have passed since you were billed for the
item, you still might be able to dispute the charge if you only
recently found out about the problem.)
o Send your letter to the address provided on the bill; do not
send the letter with your payment.
o In your letter, give your name and account number, the date and
amount of the charge disputed, and a complete explanation of why
you are disputing the charge. Be specific.
o To be sure your letter is received, and so you will have a
record, you might wish to send it by certified mail, with a return
receipt requested.
If you follow these requirements, the creditor or card issuer must
acknowledge your letter in writing within 30 days after it is
received and conduct an investigation within 90 days.
While the bill is being disputed and investigated, you need not pay
the amount in dispute. The creditor or card issuer may not take
action to collect the disputed amount, including reporting the
amount as delinquent, and may not close or restrict your account.
If there was an error or you do not owe the amount, the creditor or
card issuer must credit your account and remove any finance charges
or late fees relating to the amount not owed. For any amount still
owed, you have the right to an explanation and copies of documents
proving you owe the money.
If the bill is correct, you must be told in writing what you owe
and why. You will owe the amount disputed, plus any finance
charges. You may ask for copies of relevant documents.
Debt Collection
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies to those who collect
debts owed to creditors for personal, family and
household debts, including car loans, mortgages, charge accounts
and money owed for medical bills. A debt collector may not: o
contact you at unreasonable times or places, for example, before 8
a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree, or at work if you tell the
debt collector your employer disapproves;
o contact you after you write a letter to the collection agency
telling them to stop, except to notify you if the debt collector or
creditor intends to take some specific action;
o contact your friends, relatives, employer or others, except to
find out where you live and work or tell such people that you owe
money;
o harass you by, for example, threats of harm to you or your
reputation, use of profane language or repeated telephone calls;
o make any false statement, including that you will be arrested;
and
o threaten to have money deducted from your paycheck or sue you
unless the collection agency or creditor actually intends to do so,
and it is legal to do so.
If you are contacted by a debt collector, you have a right to a
written notice, sent within five days after you are first
contacted, telling you:
o the amount owed;
o the name of the creditor; and
o what action to take if you believe you don't owe the money. If
you believe you do not owe the money or don't owe the amount
claimed, contact the creditor in writing and send a copy to the
debt collection agency with a letter telling them not to contact
you.
If you do owe the money or part of it, contact the creditor to
arrange for payment.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act guarantees you equal rights in
dealing with anyone who regularly offers credit, including banks,
finance companies, stores, credit card companies and credit unions.
A creditor is someone to whom you owe money. When you apply for
credit, a creditor may not:
o ask about or consider your sex, race, national origin or
religion;
o ask about your marital status or your spouse, unless you are
applying for a joint account or relying on your spouse's income or
you live in a community property state (Arizona, California, Idaho,
Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington); o ask about
your plans to have or raise children;
o refuse to consider reliable public assistance income or
regularly received alimony or child support; and
o discount or refuse to consider income because of your sex or
marital status or because it is from part-time work or retirement
benefits.
You have the right to:
o have credit in your birth name, your first name and your
spouse's last name, or your first name and a combined last name;
o have a co-signer other than your spouse if one is necessary;
o keep your own accounts after you change your name or marital
status or retire, unless the creditor has evidence you are unable
or unwilling to pay;
o know why a credit application is rejected; the creditor must
give you the specific reasons or tell you of your right to find out
the reasons if you ask within 60 days; and
o have accounts shared with your spouse reported in both your
names.
Credit Cards
Choosing a Credit Card
Credit card issuers offer a wide variety of terms. Consider and
compare all the terms, including the following, before you select
a card:
o Annual Percentage Rate (APR) - the cost of credit as a yearly
rate.
o Free or Grace Period - allows you to avoid any finance charge by
paying your balance in full before the due date. If there is no
free period, you will pay a finance charge from the date of the
transaction, even if you pay your entire balance when you receive
your bill.
o Fees and Charges - most issuers charge an annual fee; some also
might charge a fee for a cash advance or if you fail to make a
payment on time or go over your credit limit.
Shop around for the terms that are best for you. Before giving
money to a company that promises to help you get a credit card:
o find out who the card issuer is and get the credit card terms in
writing, including all the fees and whether a deposit is required;
o try to apply to a card issuer directly, rather than giving money
to a third party; if you don't get the credit card, you might not
be able to get your money back;
o beware of "credit cards" that only allow you to buy from certain
overpriced, restricted goods catalogs; and
o beware of companies that promise "instant credit" or guarantee
you a credit card "even if you have bad credit or no credit
history;" no one can guarantee you credit in advance.
Using a Credit Card
Know your credit card protections. When you have used your card
for a purchase and you don't receive the goods or services as
promised, you might be able to withhold payment for the goods or
services. Card issuers must investigate billing disputes. (See
the section on Credit Billing and Disputes, page 20.)
If your card is lost or stolen, you are not liable for any
charges if you report the loss before the card is used. If the
card is used before you report it missing, the most you will owe is
$50.
Protect your credit record. Pay bills promptly to keep finance
charges low and to protect your credit rating. Keep track of your
charges and don't exceed your credit limit. Report any change of
address prior to moving so that you receive bills promptly.
Preventing Credit Card Fraud
o Sign cards when they arrive, so no one can forge your
signature on the cards and use them.
o Keep copies of all sales slips. Open credit card bills
promptly and compare the sales slips with the charges on your bill.
o Promptly report any suspicious or unauthorized charges to the
card issuer.
o Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you
have made the call and you know the company is reputable.
o Draw a line through blank spaces on charge slips. Do not sign
a blank charge slip.
o Destroy carbons and incorrect charge slips.
o Keep a record of your card numbers and expiration dates and the
phone number of the card issuer in a safe place.
To order free brochures on credit, contact the Federal Trade
Commission, Public Reference Section, 6th and Pennsylvania
Avenue, N.W., Suite 130, Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-2222. To
file a complaint, contact your state or local consumer
protection agency, your state attorney general or your Better
Business Bureau.
Consumer Privacy
How to Reduce Unwanted Solicitations and Guard Your Privacy o Pay
for local purchases with cash, rather than by check or credit card.
o Ask manufacturers, catalogue or magazine subscription
companies, charities and others with whom you do business not to
sell your name to others for marketing purposes.
o Don't release your Social Security Number except to an
employer, government agency, lender or credit bureau that
requires it to identify you.
o Don't give anyone your credit card or checking account numbers
unless you're making purchases with them, and don't put credit card
numbers on your checks.
o When filling out warranty or other information cards, don't
include optional or unnecessary personal information.
o Federal law gives you the right to ask telemarketers to take
your name off of their lists and not to call you again. Keep
records of their names, addresses and the dates of your requests.
File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (see
page 109) if they don't remove your name from their marketing lists
once you have made your request.
o Personal information is easily obtained by companies promoting
sweepstakes, contests and prize offers. Be careful to check out
the companies before deciding to do business with them or
releasing personal or financial information. Contact your state or
local consumer agency (see page 70) or Better Business Bureau (see
page 63). These three types of promotions are in the top 10
consumer complaints nationwide.
Review Files that Contain Information about You
The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is a data bank used by
insurance companies. You might want to obtain a copy of your file
and make sure the information it contains is correct. Write to the
Medical Information Bureau, P.O. Box 105, Essex Station, Boston, MA
02112.
Credit bureaus keep records about your credit history. You should
review periodically your credit reports for accuracy. (See the
section on "Credit Reporting," beginning on page 19.) To limit
mail or telephone calls you do not want, you can sign up at no cost
for a service that tells some of the telephone or mail marketing
companies not to contact you. (See the sections on Telemarketing
and Mail Order, pages 13 and 12, respectively, for more
information.)
Many states have their own privacy laws concerning telemarketing,
employment, the use of social security, credit card or checking
account numbers, medical records, mailing lists, credit reports,
debt collection, computerized communications, insurance records and
public data banks. Check with your state or local consumer agency
about specific privacy rights or a referral to the
appropriate agency.
Advance Fee Scams
Be wary of ads promising guaranteed jobs, guaranteed loans, credit
repair, debt consolidation or similar claims. Many of these are
only a way to get you to send money in exchange for little or no
service.
o Be cautious when responding to advertisements which use 900
telephone numbers. You can be charged substantial and differing
amounts for calls to 900 numbers.
o Be careful with your personal information, including Social
Security Numbers, credit card numbers and bank account numbers,
among others. Fraudulent businesses could use this information to
make an unauthorized charge to your credit card or to withdraw
money from your bank account.
o Before you make any payment, ask the business to send you a
contract and other information stating the terms of the service and
whether you can cancel the service and get a refund.
o Ask how long the firm has been in business and if it is
licensed properly. Request that the company send you copies of its
business or other licenses. Review all contracts carefully. o
Contact your state or local consumer protection agency and the
Better Business Bureau to find out a company's complaint record.
o Some states have enacted laws banning or regulating these types
of businesses. To find out the law in your state or to report a
fraud, contact your state or local consumer protection agency.
o For information on the dangers of these types of scams, call the
non-profit National Fraud Hotline at 1 (800) 876-7060 (toll free).
Special Contracts
Health Clubs
When you are considering whether to join a health club, be
cautious of:
o joining clubs that have not opened - they might never open; o
low-cost "bait" ads - many "switch" you to expensive long-term
contracts;
o promises that you can cancel anytime and stop paying - check the
written contract for the terms of membership and any other
promises;
o the fine print - many low-cost ads and contracts severely
restrict hours of use and services;
o signing long-term contracts - consumer protection agencies
report that many consumers quit using the club within a few months;
o automatic monthly billing to your charge card or debit from a
checking account - these are easier to start than to stop; and o
unbelievably low one-time fees with no monthly dues.
Before you sign, be sure to:
o check with your doctor before you begin an exercise program;
o visit the club at the hours you will be using it;
o check to see that promised equipment/services are actually
available;
o talk to current members regarding their satisfaction with the
club;
o check out several clubs before you sign a contract;
o consider your commitment to a long-term program - good
intentions seem to fade as the reality of the hard work sets in;
o read the contract carefully before you sign; is interest charged
for a payment plan? Are all promises in writing?; and o check
with your local or state consumer agency or Better Business Bureau
for any laws in your state, cancellation rights or complaints
against the company.
Dating Clubs/Matchmakers
When you choose to deal with a dating service, be sure to check:
o from how far away the referrals might come;
o the economic/professional status of dates;
o that dates are club members;
o your ability to review the video/profile/picture, etc. of a
proposed date before your phone number is given or a meeting is
arranged;
o that the information in your file is clear, e.g., wishes,
interests, requirements, "won't accepts;"
o the length of the contract and the number of
dates/introductions promised;
o the cost of any additional fee to extend/renew/continue the
membership;
o any extra costs associated with club functions (parties,
picnics, trips);
o what the club promises to do for the basic fee - there might be
little relationship between the cost and performance of the club;
beware of very high priced companies;
o that all "guarantees" are in writing;
o for figures on its percent of success and the average length of
time needed to locate an acceptable spouse if the club
promises to find you a spouse; and
o the cancellation policy - check with your state or local
consumer agency for your legal rights; contact your consumer agency
or the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint.
Timeshares/Campgrounds
o Prizes and awards might be used in promoting timeshares and
campgrounds. They sometimes are overvalued or misrepresented.
Free awards might "bait" you into driving a long distance to the
property, only to attend a long high-pressure sales pitch to obtain
your prize.
o Be realistic. Make your decision based on how much you will use
it and if it provides the recreational and vacation purposes you
want. Don't decide to purchase based on an investment
possibility. It might be difficult or almost impossible to resell.
o Ask about such additional costs as finance charges, annual fees
and maintenance fees. Maintenance fees can go up yearly. o
Compare your total annual cost with that of hotels or your normal
vacation expenses.
o Ask about availability during your vacation periods. Ask what
other timeshares or campgrounds you may use with your membership.
o Talk to individuals, who already purchased from the company,
about the services, availability, upkeep and reciprocal rights to
use other facilities.
o Get everything in writing and make sure verbal promises are in
the written contract. Have an attorney review any
contracts/documents and make sure there are no blanks on the papers
you sign.
o Do you have cancellation rights? State laws vary. Check with
your local or state consumer agency.
o Check for any complaints against the company, seller,
developer and management company with your consumer agency or the
Better Business Bureau.
o To order a free publication on timeshares and health clubs,
contact the Federal Trade Commission, Public Reference Section, 6th
& Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 130, Washington, DC 20580, (202)
326-2222.
Travel Scams
o Don't be taken by solicitations by postcard, letter or phone
claiming you've won a free trip or can get discounts on hotels and
airfares. These offers usually don't disclose the hidden fees
involved, for example, deposits, surcharges, excessive handling
fees or taxes.
o Some travel scams require you to purchase a product to get a
trip that's "free" or "two-for-one." You'll end up paying for the
"free" trip or more for the product than the trip is worth, and the
two-for-one deal might be more expensive than if you had arranged
a trip yourself by watching for airfare deals.
o Be wary of travel offers which ask you to redeem vouchers or
certificates from out-of-state companies. Their offers are usually
valid only for a limited time and on a space-available basis. The
hotels are often budget rooms and very uncomfortable. The company
charges you for the trip in advance, but will the company still be
in business when you're ready to take the trip? o Check the
reputation of any travel service you use, especially travel clubs
offering discounts on their services in exchange for an annual fee.
Contact your state or local consumer protection agency or the
Better Business Bureau.
o Request copies of a travel club's or agent's brochures and
contracts before purchasing your ticket. Don't rely on oral
promises. Find out about cancellation policies and never sign
contracts that have blank or incomplete spaces.
o Never give out your credit card number to a club or company with
which you're unfamiliar or which requires you to call 900 numbers
for information.
o Don't feel pressured by requests for an immediate decision or a
statement that the offer is only good "if you act now." Don't deal
with companies that request payment in advance or that don't have
escrow accounts where your deposit is held.
o Research cut-rate offers, especially when dealing with travel
consolidators who might not be able to provide your tickets until
close to your departure date.
o You can protect yourself by using a credit card to purchase
travel services. If you don't get what you paid for, contact the
credit card issuer and you might be able to get the charges
reversed. Be aware that you have 60 days to dispute a charge. See
page 20 for further information on billings and disputes.
Rent-To-Own
Although buying in a rent-to-own transaction sounds like a simple
solution when you are short of cash, rent-to-own can be
expensive. The rental charge can be three or four times what it
would cost if you paid cash or financed the purchase at the highest
interest rate typically charged in installment sales. Before
signing a rent-to-own contract, ask yourself the following
questions:
o Is the item something I absolutely have to have right now? o
Can I delay the purchase until I have saved enough money to pay
cash or at least make a down payment on an installment plan? o
Does a retail store offer a layaway plan for the item?
o Have I considered all my credit options, including applying for
retail credit from the merchant or borrowing money from a credit
union, bank or small loan company?
o Would a used item purchased from a garage sale, classified ad or
secondhand store serve the purpose?
If you decide that rent-to-own is the best choice for you, here are
some questions you should ask before you sign on the dotted line.
o What is the total cost of the item? The total cost can be
determined by multiplying the amount of each payment by the number
of payments required to purchase the item. Make sure to add in any
additional charges, for example, finance, handling or balloon
payments at the end of the contract.
o Am I getting a new or used item?
o Can I purchase the item before the end of the rental term? If
so, how is the price calculated?
o Will I get credit for all of my payments if I decide to
purchase the item?
o Is there a charge for repairs during the rental period? Will I
get a replacement while the rented item is not in my
possession?
o What happens if I am late on a payment? Will the item be
repossessed? Will I pay a penalty if I return the item before the
end of the contract period?
Comparison shop among various rent-to-own merchants. Contact your
local or state consumer protection agency to find out if there are
any complaints on record against the business. Check for any
specific state laws. Read the contract carefully and make sure you
understand all the terms and get all promises in writing.
Remember, know what you are paying. Compare the cash price plus
finance charges in an installment plan with the total cost of a
rent-to-own transaction.
Long-term rent-to-own contracts cost so much more than
installment plans that you could rent an item, make a number of
payments, return the item, buy it on an installment plan and still
come out ahead.
Product Safety and Recalls
Knowing how to use products correctly, reading instructions and
being alert to hazards will help to ensure a safe environment
around you. You also should pay attention to product recalls in
the news and consumer magazines. Several Federal government
agencies provide recall information on a variety of products,
including toys, cars, child safety seats, food, and health and
beauty aids.
o Read about major appliances, tools and other items before you
buy. There are several consumer magazines at the library which
give detailed information on the prices, features and safety of
various products.
o Learn to use power tools and electrical appliances safely. If
you don't know what a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is,
find out. Read the instructions carefully before using the
equipment.
o Don't use things for purposes the manufacturer never intended.
Tools aren't kids' toys.
o Poolside safety demands non-climbable fencing, CPR training, a
poolside phone, a GFCI and constant adult supervision to help
ensure the protection of children. Some building codes require
some of these safety features.
o Make sure toys are age appropriate. Your 10-year-old's
baseball bat can be a lethal weapon in the hands of your
three-year-old slugger.
o Kids should always wear bicycle helmets. Some states now
require it. When shopping for helmets, look for the ANSI and/or
SNELL sticker to ensure the safest helmet.
o Small parts can present choking hazards to children who put
things in their mouths. Beware of balloons, balls, marbles and
older children's toys.
o Baby items demand special attention. Cribs, baby walkers and
baby gates have changed dramatically as the result of new safety
requirements. Don't buy used baby items that can't comply with
current standards.
o Garage and tag sales are places where small appliances, power
tools, baby furniture and toys with safety defects, lead paints or
other hazards get passed along to new owners. Make sure these
types of items meet current safety requirements.
o If you spot a product defect, design flaw, allergic reaction or
hidden hazard, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission or your state or local consumer protection agency. o
Read product labels. Some products can turn into deadly poisons
when mixed with other products, stored improperly or used in poorly
vented areas.
o Keep all medicines, cleaning products, wood finishes, toxic art
supplies and paints out of the sight and reach of young children.
Keep leftover products in their original containers. Have the
poison control emergency number near your phone. Get rid of old
and dated products.
o Look for tamper-resistant packaging on foods and medicine. o
Watch out for dinnerware decorated with lead paint or glaze and
lead crystal decanters. If there's no way to ensure the items are
lead-free, don't buy them.
o Contact the Auto Safety Hotline at 1 (800) 424-9393 (toll free)
to report safety problems, and to obtain recall and safety
information on new and used cars, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes,
child seats and other motor vehicle equipment.
For consumer education material or to file a complaint, contact:
(consumer products, other than cars, food or drugs)
Product Safety Hotline
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
1 (800) 638-CPSC (toll free)
1 (800) 492-8104 (toll free TDD in MD)
1 (800) 638-8270 (toll free TDD outside of MD)
(vehicles, child safety seats and other motor vehicle equipment)
Auto Safety Hotline
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-0123
(202) 366-7800 (TDD)
1 (800) 424-9393 (toll free outside DC)
1 (800) 424-9153 (toll free TDD outside DC)
(food, drugs, medical devices, such radiological products as
microwave ovens, televisions and sunlamps)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Recall and Emergency Coordinator
Refer to the white pages of your local telephone book for your
regional FDA office.
Recalls
Item 595Z
Pueblo, CO 81009
(Write to this address to receive a free publication prepared by
the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs that explains which Federal
agencies issue consumer product recalls, the kinds of products each
of them covers, how to report product safety problems, and how to
find out about warnings or recalls that have been
announced.)
State and Local Consumer Protection Office (See page 70.)
Nutrition Labeling
The new food label format will offer more complete, useful and
accurate nutrition information than has been available in the past.
Shoppers will be able to compare the nutritional value of every
packaged food on the grocery shelf.
Nutrition Labeling Panel - Content
The revamped nutrition panel on each food product will be called
"Nutrition Facts" and will list the following mandatory dietary
components:
o total calories;
o calories from fat;
o total fat;
o saturated fat;
o cholesterol;
o sodium;
o total carbohydrates;
o dietary fiber;
o sugars;
o protein;
o vitamins A and C;
o calcium; and
o iron.
Voluntary dietary components that can be listed on the label
include calories from saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat,
monosaturated fat, potassium, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber, sugar
alcohol, other carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Nutrition Labeling - Format
All nutrients must be stated as a percentage of their "Daily Value"
(the daily nutrient intake level recommended by public health
authorities) to show how much of a day's ideal total of a
particular nutrient a consumer is getting. For example, if a
serving of soup contains half the amount of sodium that is
recommended for consumers daily, the food label will show the
"Daily Value" of sodium in that soup as 50%. These percentages are
based on a daily intake of 2,000 calories.
Serving Sizes
Serving sizes will be standardized and will reflect more closely
the amount of food usually eaten at one time. The serving size for
similar products from different manufacturers will be
comparable.
Nutrient Content Descriptors
Food manufacturers will be required to use standardized
definitions when making claims concerning the nutrient contents of
foods, for example,"light," "low-fat," "free," "reduced
calories" and "high fiber."
Health Claims
Product claims about the relationship between a nutrient or food
and the risk of a disease will be limited to specific types of
claims in seven areas. For example, if a product makes a health
claim related to the link between calcium and osteoporosis, the
product must contain at least 200 milligrams of calcium and must be
a form of calcium that can be absorbed easily by the body. The
claims must be stated so that the consumer can understand the
relationship between the nutrient and the disease.
For more information, contact:
Food and Drug Administration
Consumer Affairs and Information
Department of Health and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 16-85 (HFE-88)
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-3170
Department of Agriculture
Human Nutrition Information Service
Federal Building
Rooms 360 and 364
6505 Belcrest Road
Hyattsville, MD 20782
(301) 436-8617
Introducing '%Daily Value'
The Key to Healthy Eating
There's a new nutrition tool called "%Daily Value" that allows you
to easily determine whether a food contributes a lot or a little of
a particular nutrient. A high percentage means the food contains
a lot of a nutrient. A low percentage means it contains a little.
You don't have to worry about doing
calculations.
Let's say you're trying to eat less fat. You come across two
different brands of frozen mixed vegetables in sauce. One of the
packages lists 5% as the %Daily Value for total fat. The other
package gives 15%. Which should you choose? The one with 5%
because five is a significantly lower number than 15.
The following is an example of the information found in a
Nutrition Facts label:
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 cup (114g)
Servings Per Container 4
Amount per Serving
Calories 90 Calories from Fat 30
%Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 660mg 28%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 10%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 5g
Protein 5g
Vitamin A 4% Vitamin C 2%
Calcium 15% Iron 4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
TIP: If the %Daily Value for a nutrient is 5% or less, that means
the food is low in that nutrient.
Part II
Consumer Assistance Directory
Corporate Consumer contacts
This section will help you resolve a complaint about a service or
product. First, be sure to go back to the place where you bought
the product or service. Try to resolve the complaint with the
seller. If that does not work, the next step is to write or call
the company's headquarters.
This section lists the names and addresses of more than 550
corporate headquarters, and in many cases, the name of the person
to contact. Many listings also include toll free "800" numbers.
Unless otherwise noted, all "800" numbers are toll free and can be
used anywhere in the continental United States. Many
companies have Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDDs). All
TDD and "800" numbers are in bold type.
In some cases, you will see a company name or brand name listed
with the instructions to see another company listed elsewhere in
this section, for example, "Admiral, see Maycor." This means that
questions about Admiral products should be directed to the consumer
contact at Maycor because Maycor handles complaints for the Admiral
brand.
If you do not find the product name in this section, check the
product label or warranty for the name and address of the
manufacturer. Public libraries also have information that might be
helpful. The Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors
and Executives, Trade Names Directory, Standard
Directory of Advertisers, and Dun & Bradstreet Directory are four
sources that list information about most firms. If you cannot find
the name of the manufacturer, the thomas Register of
American Manufacturers lists the manufacturers of thousands of
products.
Remember, to save time, first take your complaint back to where you
bought the product. If you contact the company's
headquarters first, the consumer contact probably will direct you
back to the local store where you made the purchase
Ms. Anna Wright
Administrator
AAMCO Transmissions, Inc.
One Presidential Boulevard
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004-9990
(215) 668-2900
1 (800) 523-0401 (toll free)
Consumer Affairs
AETNA Life and Casualty
151 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06156
(203) 273-0123
1 (800) US-AETNA (toll free outside CT)
AJAY Leisure Products
1501 East Wisconsin Street
Delavan, WI 53115
(414) 728-5521
1 (800) 558-3276 (toll free)
Ms. Susan Mach
Director of Consumer Affairs
AT&T
295 North Maple Avenue
Room 2334F2
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
(908) 221-5311
Customer Service
Ace Hardware Corporation
2200 Kensington Court
Oak Brook, IL 60521
(708) 990-6600
Admiral see Maycor
Airwick Industries, Inc. see Reckitt & Colman Inc.
Ms. Andrea Cohan, Senior Manager
Customer Response Center
Alamo Rent A Car
P.O. Box 22776
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33335
(305) 522-0000
1 (800) 327-0400 (toll free)
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Alaska Airlines
P.O. Box 68900
Seattle, WA 98168
(206) 431-7286 (consumer affairs)
(206) 431-7197 (customer relations/baggage, air cargo and freight
claims)
(206) 431-3753 (existing refunds and lost ticket applications file
information)
Ms. Michelle Evans
Manager, Consumer Relations Department
Alberto Culver Company
2525 Armitage Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160
(708) 450-3000
Consumer Affairs Department
Allied Van Lines
P.O. Box 4403
Chicago, IL 60680
(708) 717-3590
Mr. Michael Foort
Customer Relations Manager
Allstate Insurance Company
Allstate Plaza--F4
Northbrook, IL 60062
(708) 402-6005
Ms. Denise R. Yates
Manager, Customer Relations
Aloha Airlines
P.O. Box 30028
Honolulu, HI 96820
(808) 836-4293
Mr. Tom Onushco
Program Coordinator
Consumer Services
Alpo Pet Foods
P.O. Box 25100
Lehigh Valley, PA 18003
1 (800) 366-6033 (toll free)
Ms. Dixie Trout
Vice President of Consumer Relations
Amana Refrigeration, Inc.
Amana, IA 52204
1 (800) 843-0304 (toll free--product questions)
Ms. Susan M. Sampsell
Manager, Customer
Relations - Passenger Services
America West Airlines
4000 East Sky Harbor Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85034
(800) 235-9292
Ms. J.L. Ferguson
Manager, Consumer Relations
American Airlines, Inc.
P.O. Box 619612 MD 2400
DFW International Airport, TX 75261-9612
(817) 967-2000
Approved Auto Repair
American Automobile Association
Mailspace 15
1000 AAA Drive
Heathrow, FL 32746-5063
(written complaints only)
American Cyanamid Company see Lederle Consumer Health
Mr. Martin J. Hummel, Vice President
Executive Customer Relations
American Express Company
American Express Tower
World Financial Center
New York, NY 10285
(212) 640-4753
1 (800) 528-4800
(toll free--green card inquiries)
1 (800) 327-2177
(toll free - gold card inquiries)
1 (800) 525-3355
(toll free--platinum card inquiries)
Customer Service
American Family Publishers
P.O. Box 62000
Tampa, FL 33662
1 (800) AFP-2400 (toll free)
Ms. Sue Holiday
Consumer Correspondent
American Greetings Corporation
10500 American Road
Cleveland, OH 44144
(216) 252-7300
1 (800) 321-3040 (toll free)
Consumer Affairs Department
American Home Food
Products, Inc.
685 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
1 (800) 544-5680
Mr. Ronald J. Fojtlin, Manager
Consumer Assistance
American Standard, Inc.
P.O. Box 6820
Piscataway, NJ 08855-6820
1 (800) 223-0068
Ms. Meredith C. Anderson
Vice President, Public, Government and Investor Relations
American Stores Company
P.O. Box 27447
Salt Lake City, UT 84127
(801) 539-0112
1 (800) 541-2863 (toll free)
Mr. Anthony L. Fera
Director, Consumer Relations
American Tourister, Inc.
91 Main Street
Warren, RI 02885
(401) 245-2100
1 (800) 635-5505 (toll free outside RI)
Operations Department
America's Favorite Chicken Corporation
6 Concourse Parkway
Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30328-5352
(404) 391-9500
Mr. Peter Lincoln
Director of Corporate Communications
Ameritech
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 730
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 955-3058
Mr. Richard Smith, Manager
Customer Relations and Consumer Affairs
Amoco Oil Company
200 East Randolph Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
1 (800) 333-3991 (toll free)
Mr. Alex T. Langston, Jr.
Director, Customer Relations
Amtrak
Washington Union Station
60 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 906-2121
1 (800) USA-RAIL (toll free reservations and information)
Ms. Robin Koop
Director, Distributor/Customer Services
Amway Corporation
7575 East Fulton Road
Ada, MI 49355
(616) 676-7717
1 (800) 548-3878 (toll free TDD)
Mr. Jeff Solsvig
Manager, Customer and Product Services
Andersen Windows, Inc.
100 Fourth Avenue North
Bayport, MN 55003
(612) 430-7255
Mr. Craig Hetterscheidt
Manager, Consumer Relations
Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
One Busch Place
St. Louis, MO 63118-1852
(314) 577-3093
Financial Relations
Aon Corporation
123 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 701-3000
Customer Relations Department
Apple Computer, Inc.
20525 Mariani Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
1 (800) 776-2333 (toll free--complaints and questions)
1 (800) 538-9696 (toll free--dealer information)
Aramis, Inc. see Estee Lauder, Inc.
Customer Service
Arizona Mail Order
3740 East 34th Street
Tucson, AZ 85713
(602) 748-8600
Arm & Hammer see Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
Mr. Harry Robinson
Consumer Relations Administrator
Armorall Products Corporation
6 Liberty
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(714) 362-0600
1 (800) 747-4104 (toll free)
Consumer Communications
Armour Swift Eckrich
2001 Butterfield Road
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(708) 512-1000
1 (800) 325-7424 (toll free - Eckrich products)
Mr. Fred Fuest
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Armstrong Tire Division
Pirelli/Armstrong Tire Corporation
500 Sargent Drive
New Haven, CT 06536
1 (800) 243-0167 (toll free)
Ms. Jane W. Deibler
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Armstrong World Industries
P.O. Box 3001
Lancaster, PA 17604
(717) 396-4401
1 (800) 233-3823 (toll free)
Mr. Gary Tramiel
General Manager of U.S. Sales
and Marketing
Atari Video Game Systems
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
(408) 745-2098
Mr. Thomas C. Butler
Manager, Customer Relations
Atlantic Richfield Company
ARCO Products Company
1055 W. 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90051-0570
1 (800) 322-ARCO (toll free)
Mr. J.R. Patterson, Senior Vice President
Customer Service
Atlas Van Lines
P.O. Box 509
Evansville, IN 47703-0509
1 (800) 252-8885 (toll free)
Automobile Magazine see K-III
Ms. Lynne Lappin
Supervisor, Customer Service
Avis Rent-A-Car System
900 Old Country Road
Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 222-4200
Avon Fashions, Inc. see Newport News
Ms. Lynn Baron, Manager
Consumer Information Center
Avon Products, Inc.
9 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 546-6015
Mr. Frederick J. Wilson
Assistant General Counsel
Bacardi Imports Inc.
2100 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-8511
Bali
Sara Lee Corporation
3330 Healy Drive
P.O. Box 5100
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
(919) 768-8611
1 (800) 654-6122 (toll free)
Corporate Communications
Bally Manufacturing Corporation
8700 West Bryn Mawr
Chicago, IL 60631
(312) 399-1300
Customer Relations #3538
Bank of America, NT & SA
Box 37000
San Francisco, CA 94137
(415) 241-7677
Mr. Michael Pascale, Vice President
Public and Investor Relations
The Bank of New York Company
48 Wall Street, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10286
(212) 495-2066
Barnett Banks, Inc.
P.O. Box 40789
Jacksonville, FL 32231
(904) 791-7720
Mr. Bill Pegram
Director of Quality Assurance
R.G. Barry Corporation
8000 IH 10 West
Suite 1500
San Antonio, TX 78230
(210) 366-1092
Bass Pro Shop
1935 South Campbell
Springfield, MO 65898
1 (800) BASS-PRO (toll free)
Eddie Bauer Customer Service
P.O. Box 3700
Seattle, WA 98124-3700
(800) 426-6253
Ms. Darla J. Elkin
Manager, Regulatory and Consumer Affairs
Contact Lens Care Products
OTC Health Care Products
Bausch and Lomb
Personal Products Division
1400 North Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14692
1 (800) 553-5340 (toll free)
Ms. Janice Glerum
Director, Customer Service
Contact Lenses
Bausch and Lomb
Contact Lens Division
1400 North Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14609
1 (800) 552-7388 (toll free)
Ms. Ethel Killenbeck
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Eyewear Division
Bausch and Lomb
P.O. Box 478
Rochester, NY 14692-0478
1 (800) 343-5594 (toll free)
Customer Service
L.L. Bean, Inc.
Casco Street
Freeport, ME 04033-0001
1 (800) 341-4341 (toll free)
1 (800) 545-0090 (toll free TDD)
Customer Service Department
Bear Creek Corporation
2518 South Pacific Highway
P.O. Box 299
Medford, OR 97501
(503) 776-2400
Beatrice Cheese, Inc.
Cheese Division
770 North Springdale Road
Waukesha, WI 53186
(414) 782-2750
Mr. Charles F. Baer, President
Consumer Products Division
Becton Dickinson
and Company
One Becton Drive
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
(201) 847-6618
Beech Holdings Corp. see Budget Rent-A-Car Corporation
Beiersdorf, Inc.
P.O. Box 5529
Norwalk, CT 06856-5529
(203) 853-8008
1 (800) 233-2340 (toll free outside CT)
Mr. Fred Cooke
Assistant to the President
Bell Atlantic Corporation
1133 20th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 392-1358
BellSouth Telecommunications (Southern Bell and South Central Bell)
Consumer Affairs Manager
600 North 19th Street, 24th Floor
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 321-2892
1 (800) 346-9000 (toll free Bell South Products)
1 (800) 251-5325 (toll free TDD)
Mr. Keith Card, Director
Marketing and Public Relations
Benihana of Tokyo
8685 Northwest 53rd Terrace
Miami, FL 33166
(305) 593-0770
1 (800) 327-3369 (toll free)
Ms. Sue B. Huffman
Director, Consumer Affairs
Best Foods
CPC International, Inc.
P.O. Box 8000 International Plaza
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
(201) 994-2324
Mr. John Morgan
Manager, Customer Service
Best Western International
P.O. Box 42007
Phoenix, AZ 85080-2007
(800) 528-1238
Consumer Relations Department
BIC Corporation
500 Bic Drive
Milford, CT 06460
(203) 783-2000
Birds Eye
see General Foods
Mr. Floyd Coonce
Manager, Consumer Assistance and Information
Black and Decker Household Products
6 Armstrong Road
Shelton, CT 06484
1 (800) 231-9786
Consumer Services
Black and Decker Power Tools
626 Hanover Pike
Hampstead, MD 21074
(410) 239-5300
1 (800) 762-6672 (toll free)
Mr. Gerald Weber
Senior Vice President of Operations
Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation
One Blockbuster Plaza
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
(305) 832-3000
Ms. Lori Hunt
Customer Affairs Representative
Block Drug Company, Inc.
257 Cornelison Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 434-3000, ext. 308
1 (800) 365-6500 (toll free outside NJ)
Customer Service Department
Bloomingdale's by Mail, Ltd.
475 Knotter Drive
P.O. Box 593
Cheshire, CT 06410-9933
(203) 271-1313 (mail order inquiries only)
Blue Bell, Inc. see Wrangler
Consumer Affairs
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
1310 G Street, N.W., 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 626-4780
Bohannon Communications, Inc. see The Bohannon Group
Industry and Customer Affairs Division
The Bohannon Group
P.O. Box 775340
St. Louis, MO 63177-5340
(314) 533-2499
Ms. Karen Braswell
Marketing Manager
Bojangles
P.O. Box 240239
Charlotte, NC 28224
(704) 527-2675, ext. 226
Consumer Response Department
Borden, Inc.
180 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 225-4511
Boyle-Midway Household Products, Inc. see Reckitt & Colman Inc.
Ms. Stephanie Smith
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Bradlees Discount Department Stores
One Bradlees Circle
P.O. Box 9015
Braintree, MA 02184-9015
(617) 380-5377
Breck Hair Care Products see the Dial Corporation
Consumer Affairs
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
2550 W. Golf Rd., Suite 400
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
1 (800) 367-3872 (toll free)
Customer Service
Brights Creek
5000 City Lane Road
Hampton, VA 23661
(804) 827-1850
Mr. Raymond Heimbuch
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Bristol-Myers Products
685 Routes 202/206 North
Somerville, NJ 08876-1279
1 (800) 468-7746 (toll free)
Ms. Jane Kramer
Director, Public Affairs
Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Group
P.O. Box 4000
Princeton, NJ 08543-4000
(609) 252-4000
1 (800) 332-2056 (toll free)
Brita, USA see Clorox Company
Customer Relations
British Airways
75-20 Astoria Blvd.
Jackson Heights, NY 11370
(718) 397-4000
Ms. Dianne Hall
Consumer Services Administrator
Brown-Forman Beverage Company
P.O. Box 1080
Louisville, KY 40201
1 (800) 753-1177 (toll free)
Consumer Care Information
Brown Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 354
St. Louis, MO 63166
1 (800) 766-6465 (toll free)
Customer Relations
Budget Rent-A-Car Corporation
P.O. Box 111580
Carrollton, TX 75011-1580
1 (800) 621-2844 (toll free)
Investor Service Center
Bull & Bear Group, Inc.
11 Hanover Square
New York, NY 10005
(212) 363-1100
1 (800) 847-4200 (toll free)
Manager, Customer Relations
Bulova Watch Company
26-15 Brooklyn Queens Expressway East
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 204-3300 (consumer relations)
(718) 204-3222 (repairs)
Mr. Monroe Milstein
President
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation
1830 Route 130 North
Burlington, NJ 08016
(609) 387-7800
Burlington Hosiery see Kayser-Roth Corporation
Public Relations
Burlington Industries
3330 West Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27420
(919) 379-2276
Mr. Jonas B. Daughterty, M.S., R.Ph.
Manager, Professional Information Services
Burroughs Wellcome Company
3030 Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919) 248-3000, ext. 4511
Mr. Ray Faiola, Director
CBS Broadcast Group
Audience Services
524 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 975-3166
Consumer Affairs Department
CIBA Consumer Pharmaceuticals
581 Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(908) 602-6780
Ciba-Geigy Corporation
Plant Protection
410 Swing Road
Greensboro, NC 27409
(919) 632-6000
1 (800) 334-9481 (toll free)
Ciba-Geigy Corporation
Pharmaceuticals Division
556 Morris Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901-1398
(908) 277-5000
CIBA Vision Corporation
11460 John Creek Parkway
Duluth, GA 30136
1 (800) 227-1524, ext. 4435 (toll free--consumer relations)
Customer Service
CIE America
2515 McCave Way
P.O. Box 19663
Irvine, CA 92713-9663
1(800) 877-1421, ext. 4260 (toll free)
CIE Terminals see CIE America
Mr. Mark A. Whiter
Director, Customer Services
CIGNA Property and Casualty Companies
1601 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19192
(215) 761-4555
Consumer Affairs Department
CPC International Inc.
International Plaza
Box 8000
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
(201) 894-4000
Mr. Paul Reisbord
President and Chairman of the Board
C&R Clothiers
8660 Hayden Place
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 559-8200
CVN see QVC Network
Customer Relations Department
CVS
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, RI 02895-0988
(401) 765-1500
1 (800) 444-1140 (toll free)
Cabela's, Inc.
812 13th Avenue
Sidney, NE 69160-8888
1 (800) 237-8888 (toll free)
Ms. Darlene Stovall
Supervisor, Consumer Affairs
Cadbury Beverages, Inc.
6 High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 968-7673
1 (800) 426-4891 (toll free - 9 a.m.-4 p.m. ET)
Caloric Modern Maid Corporation see Amana Refrigeration, Inc. Ms.
Holly Masclans
Manager, Consumer Center
Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Place
Camden, NJ 08103-1799
(609) 342-3714
Ms. Susan Read
Quality Control Manager
Winery Operations
Canandaigua Wine Company
116 Buffalo Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(716) 394-7900
Customer Relations Department
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success, NY 11042
(516) 328-4215
Audience Information
Capitol Cities/ABC, Inc.
77 West 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 456-7477
Ms. Marcia King-Gamble
Guest Relations Manager
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 Northwest 87th Avenue
Miami, FL 33178-2428
1 (800) 327-7373 (toll free)
Mr. James Witz
Customer Relations Manager
Carrier Air Conditioning Company
P.O. Box 4808
Syracuse, NY 13221
1 (800) 227-7437 (toll free)
Bryant Heating and Air Conditioning
1 (800) 428-4326 (toll free)
Day & Night Heating and Air Conditioning
1 (800) 428-4326 (toll free)
Payne Heating and Air Conditioning
1 (800) 428-4326 (toll free)
Carte Blanche see Diners Club
Ms. Mary G. Mumolo
Corporate Director
Consumer Relations
Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.
3880 North Mission Road
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(213) 227-2422
Consumer Relations Department
Carter-Wallace Inc.
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
(212) 339-5000
Retail Operations
Carvel Corporation
20 Batterson Park Road
Farmington, CT 06032-2502
(written inquiries only)
Customer Service Department
Casio, Inc.
570 Mount Pleasant Avenue
Dover, NJ 07801
(201) 361-5400
Ceridian Contact Center
Ceridian Corporation
8100 34th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55425
(612) 853-3400
1 (800) 232-1985 (toll free)
Mr. Bruce Wagner
Customer Service Supervisor
Champion Spark Plug Company
P.O. Box 910
Toledo, OH 43661
(419) 535-2458
1 (800) 537-8984 (toll free outside OH)
1 (800) 537-9996 (toll free in OH)
Ms. Stacey French
Assistant Manager, Consumer Relations
Chanel, Inc.
9 West 57th Street, 44th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 688-5055
Ms. Lila A. Lesley, Consumer Affairs
Consumer Products Division
Chattem, Inc.
1715 West 38th Street
Chattanooga, TN 37409
(615) 821-4571, ext. 211
1 (800) 366-6833 (toll free outside TN)
Mr. Walter Dabek
Director, Consumer Information
Cheesebrough-Pond's, USA
55 Merritt Boulevard
Trumbull, CT 06611
1 (800) 243-5804
Mr. Louis J. Gancila
Director, Consumer Affairs
Chemical Bank
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
(212) 310-5286
ChemLawn Services Corporation see TruGreen Limited Partnership Mr.
W.P. Howell, Supervisor
Dealer and Consumer Affairs
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
P.O. Box H
Concord, CA 94524
1 (800) 962-1223 (toll free)
Guest Relations
Chi-Chi's, Inc.
10200 Linn Station Road
Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 426-3900
Chuck E. Cheese see Pizza Time, Inc.
Mrs. Cathy R. Marino, Manager
Consumer Relations
Church & Dwight Company, Inc.
469 North Harrison Street
Princeton, NJ 08540-7648
(609) 683-5900
1 (800) 524-1328
Church's Fried Chicken, Inc.
see America's Favorite Chicken Corp.
Cincinnati Microwave
One Microwave Plaza
Cincinnati, OH 45249-9502
(513) 489-5400
1 (800) 433-3487(toll free)
Circuit City Stores, Inc.
9950 Mayland Drive
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 527-4000
1 (800) 251-2665 (toll free)
Ms. Dinah Nemeroff, Vice President
Corporate Director of Customer Affairs
Citicorp/Citibank
399 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10043
(212) 559-0043
Ms. Ellen Peressini, Executive Secretary
Citizen Watch Company
of America, Inc.
8506 Osage Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(213) 215-9660
1 (800) 321-1023 (toll free)
Ms. Jeanne D. Matson
Consumer Affairs Dept.
Clairol, Inc.
300 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
1(800) 223-5800 (toll free voice/TDD)
1 (800) HISPANA (toll free Spanish voice/TDD)
Clinique Laboratories, Inc. see Estee Lauder, Inc.
Ms. Sandy Stewart
Manager, Consumer Services
Clopay Building Products Company
312 Walnut Street, Suite 1600
Cincinnati, OH 45202-4036
1 (800) 225-6729 (toll free)
Ms. Susan Silva
Consumer Services Manager
Clorox Company
1221 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94612-1888
(510) 271-7283
1 (800) 292-2200 (toll free--laundry brands)
1 (800) 537-2823(toll free--charcoal and food brands)
1 (800) 227-1860 (toll free--household surface cleaners)
1 (800) 426-6228 (toll free--insecticides)
1 (800) 242-7482 (toll free--water purification systems)
Consumer Affairs Department
Club Med Sales, Inc.
40 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 977-2100
Mr. Roger Nunley, Director
Industry and Consumer Affairs
The Coca-Cola Company
P.O. Drawer 1734
Atlanta, GA 30301
1 (800) 438-2653 (toll free)
1 (800) 262-2653 (toll free TDD)
Corporate Office
Coldwell Banker Corp
27271 Los Rambals
Mission Viejo, CA 92629
(714) 367-1800
Ms. Jan M. Guifarro
Associate Director, Consumer Response
US Consumer Affairs
Colgate-Palmolive Company
300 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022-7499
1 (800) 221-4607 (toll free--oral care products)
1 (800) 338-8388 (toll free--household products)
Corporate Office
Collins & Aikman Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 562237
Charlotte, NC 28256-2237
(704) 548-2350
Mr. Richard Petitt
President, Life/Health
Colonial Penn Group, Inc.
1818 Market Street, 26th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19181
(215) 988-3027
1 (800) 523-1700 (toll free-auto customer service)
1 (800) 523-2800 (toll free-homeowner customer service)
1 (800) 523-4000 (toll free-health customer service)
1 (800) 523-9100 (toll free-life customer service)
Columbia House
A Division of SONY Music
Entertainment, Inc.
P.O. Box 4450
New York, NY 10101-4450
1 (800) 457-0500 (toll free--records and tapes)
1 (800) 457-0866 (toll free--videos)
Ms. Teresa C. Infantino
Executive Vice President
Combe Incorporated
1101 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, NY 10604-3597
(914) 694-5454
1 (800) 431-2610 (toll free)
Combined Insurance Company of America see Aon Corporation
Customer Relations
Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
1200 Wilson Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
(215) 431-9100
Customer Relations Department
Compaq Computer Corporation
P.O. Box 692000
Houston, TX 77269-2000
1 (800) 345-1518 (toll free)
Comprehensive Care Corp.
16305 Swingley Ridge Drive
Suite 100
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(314) 537-1288
1 (800) 678-2273 (toll free)
Mr. William C. Redpath
Director of Warranty Administration
and Control
Congoleum Corporation
Technical Operations Center
861 Sloan Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08619
(609) 584-3000
1 (800) 274-3266 (toll free)
Consumers Products Group see Commodore Business Machines, Inc.
Supervisors Department
Contempo Casuals
5433 West Jefferson Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90016
(213) 936-2131
1 (800) 368-5923 (toll free)
Ms. Mary C. Connor
Director, Customer Relations
Continental Airlines, Inc.
3663 North Belt East, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77032
(713) 987-6500
Ms. Barbi Berg 2CR
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Continental Baking Company
Checkerboard Square
St. Louis, MO 63164
(314) 982-4953
Customer Service
Converse, Inc.
One Fordham Road
North Reading, MA 01864-2680
1 (800) 428-CONS (2667) (toll free)
Conwood Company, L.P.
813 Ridge Lake Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 761-2050
Coors Brewing Company
Ms. Toni P. Houck
Corporate Communications Manager
Consumer Information Center
NH320
Golden, CO 80401
1 (800) 642-6116 (toll free)
Coppertone see Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.
Mr. Ron Almarode, Supervisor
Corning/Revere Consumer Information Center
Corning Incorporated
1300 Hopeman Parkway
Waynesboro, VA 22980
(800) 999-3436
Ms. Connie J. Shelby
Director, Consumer Affairs
Cosmair, Inc.
P.O. Box 98
Westfield, NJ 07091-9987
1 (800) 631-7358 (toll free)
Consumer Relations
Cotter & Company
2740 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614-1088
(312) 975-2700
Service Department
Craftmatic Organization, Inc.
2500 Interplex Drive
Trevose, PA 19053-6998
(215) 639-1310
1 (800) 677-8200 (toll free)
Consumer Affairs Division
Jenny Craig International
445 Marine View Avenue
Del Mar, CA 92014
(619) 259-7000
Ms. Connie King
Manager, Consumer Relations
A.T. Cross Company
One Albion Road
Lincoln, RI 02865
1 (800) 282-7677 (toll free)
1 (800) AT CROSS (toll free)
Mr. George Turner
Assistant Vice President, Operations
Crown Books
3300 75th Avenue
Landover, MD 20785
(301) 731-1200
1 (800) 831-7400 (toll free)
Mr. Peter Cammarata
Director, Sales and Marketing Operations
Cuisinarts Corporation
P.O. Box 120067
Stamford, CT 06912
(203) 975-4600
(609) 426-1300 (in NJ)
1 (800) 726-0190 (toll free outside NJ)
Ms. Michelle Soucie
Special Assistant to the President
for Consumer Affairs
Culligan International Company
One Culligan Parkway
Northbrook, IL 60062
(708) 205-5757
Mr. Marvin E. Eisenstadt, President
Cumberland Packing Corporation
Two Cumberland Street
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 858-4200
Mr. Lee Kennedy
Department Head, Customer Service
Current, Inc.
P.O Box 2559
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
1 (800) 525-7170 (toll free)
Customer Care Department
Curtis Mathes Corporation
P.O. Box 112
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-2292
1 (800) 949-4999 (toll free - technical services)
1 (800) 657-1979 (toll free - parts administration)
d-Con see L&F Products
Ms. Joan Calkins
Manager, Customer Service
DHL Corporation
1820 Gateway Drive, Suite 300
San Mateo, CA 94404
1 (800) CALL-DHL (toll free)
Dairy Queen see International Dairy Queen
Ms. Eileen O'Gorman
Director, Consumer Relations
Dannon Company, Inc.
1111 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, NY 10604
(written inquiries only)
Ms. Janelle Senft
Consumer Division
Danskin
P.O. Box 15016
York, PA 17405-7016
1 (800) 288-6749
Ms. Avis Carlson, Manager
Central Consumer Relations
Dayton's, Hudson's, Marshall Field's Dept. Stores
Box 875
700 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 375-3382
Shareholder Services
Dean Witter, Discover & Company
2 World Trade Center, 66th Floor
New York, NY 10048
1 (800) 733-2307 (toll free)
Dearfoam see R.G. Barry Corporation
Deere & Company
John Deere Road
Moline, IL 61265-8098
(309) 765-8000
Ms. Margaret Sanders
Consumer Relations Department
Del Laboratories, Inc.
565 Broad Hollow Road
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(516) 293-7070
Ms. Janet M. Acklam
Director, Consumer Affairs
Del Monte Foods
P.O. Box 193575
San Francisco, CA 94119-3575
1 (800) 543-3090 (toll free)
Del Pharmaceuticals, Inc. see Del Laboratories, Inc.
Public Relations
Delco Remy Division
General Motors Corporation
2401 Columbus Avenue
Mail Code 18-109
Anderson, IN 46018-9986
(317) 646-3367
Mr. Fred Elsberry
Director, Consumer Affairs
Delta Air Lines
Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport
Atlanta, GA 30320
(404) 715-1402
Ms. Barbara Peterson
Product Service Manager
Delta Faucets
P.O. Box 40980
Indianapolis, IN 46280
(317) 848-1812
Operations
Denny's, Inc.
203 East Main St.
Spartanburg, SC 29319-0001
(803) 596-8000
Mr. George Andrassy, Vice President
Research and Development
Dep Corporation
2101 East Via Arado
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220-6189
(213) 604-0777
1 (800) 367-2855 (toll free)
Ms. Julie Jason
Manager, Customer Service
DeVry, Inc.
1 Tower Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
(708) 571-7700
1 (800) 225-8000 (toll free)
Ms. Marie Shubin
Consumer Information Center
The Dial Corporation
15101 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
(602) 207-5518
1 (800) 528-0849 (toll free-foods division)
1 (800) 45-PUREX (toll free-household and laundry division) 1 (800)
258-DIAL (toll free-personal care division)
Customer Relations
Diet Center, Inc.
921 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3814
(412) 338-8700
1 (800) 333-2581 (toll free)
Customer Relations Department
Digital Equipment Corporation
40 Old Bolton Road
Stow, MA 01775-1215
(508) 493-7161
1 (800) 332-4636 (toll free)
Customer Relations
Dillard Department Stores, Inc.
1600 Cantrell Road
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 376-5200
Mr. Jim Scherman
Vice President, Customer Service
Diners Club International
183 Inverness Drive West
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 799-9000
1 (800) 234-6377 (toll free)
(303) 643-2155 (TDD)
Ms. Helen Robinson
Manager, Consumer Response
Dole Packaged Foods
ATTN: Consumer Response Department
5795 Lindero Canyon Road
Westlake Village, CA 91362-4013
1 (800) 232-8888 (toll free)
Mr. Thomas S. Monaghan, President
Domino's Pizza, Inc.
P.O. Box 997
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0997
(313) 930-3030
Mr. Robert J. Posch, Jr.
Vice President, Legal Affairs
Doubleday Book & Music Clubs, Inc.
401 Franklin Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530-5806
(516) 873-4628
Ms. Sharon Clark
Manager, Consumer Affairs
DowBrands
P.O. Box 68511
Indianapolis, IN 46268-0511
1 (800) 428-4795 (toll tree)
Mr. Jim Ball, Vice President
Corporate Communications
Ms. Wynema Hamilton, Coordinator
Consumer Affairs
Dr Pepper/Seven-Up Companies, Inc.
(Welch's & IBC Root Beer)
P.O. Box 655086
Dallas, TX 75265-5086
(214) 360-7000
Customer Service Department
Walter Drake & Sons, Inc.
Drake Building
Colorado Springs, CO 80940-0001
(719) 596-3140
Ms. Jane Lagusch
Vice President
Drug Emporium, Inc.
155 Hidden Ravines Drive
Powell, OH 43065
(614) 548-7080 - Ext. 104
Dulcolax
CIBA Consumer Pharmaceuticals
581 Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(908) 602-6780
Mr. Robert M. Rosenberg
Chairman of the Board
Dunkin Donuts of America
P.O. Box 317
Randolph, MA 02368
(617) 961-4000
Mr. Steven Wyanacek
Manager, Consumer Affairs and OE Service
Dunlop Tire Corporation
P.O. Box 1109
Buffalo, NY 14240-1109
1 (800) 548-4714 (toll free)
Customer Information Center
DuPont Company
BMP / Reeves Mill
Wilmington, DE 19880-0010
1 (800) 441-7515 (toll free)
Consumer Affairs Department
Duracell USA
Division of Duracell, Inc.
Berkshire Corporate Park
Bethel, CT 06801
(203) 796-4300
1 (800) 551-2355 (toll free--8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. EST)
Durkee-French Foods see Reckitt & Colman Inc.
Mr. John Vaeth
Eastman Kodak Company
343 State Street
Rochester, NY 14650-0811
1 (800) 242-2424 (toll free)
Ms. Nancy J. Avino
Customer Service Representative
Eckerd Drug Company
8333 Bryan Dairy Road
P.O. Box 4689
Clearwater, FL 34618
(813) 399-6000
Customer Service
Edmund Scientific Company
101 East Gloucester Pike
Barrington, NJ 08007-1380
(609) 573-6260
Electrolux Corporation
2300 Windy Ridge Parkway
Suite 900
Marietta, GA 30067
(404) 933-1000
1 (800) 243-9078 (toll free)
Customer Relations
Emery Worldwide
A CF Company
3350 West Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303-0986
(415) 855-9100
1 (800) 227-1981 (toll free)
Ms. Sonia Franklin
Director of Consumer Affairs
Encore Marketing International, Inc.
4501 Forbes Boulevard
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 459-8020
1 (800) 638-0930 (toll free)
Mr. Norman Braun
Vice President, Public Affairs
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
310 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604-4293
(312) 347-7230
Mr. Labat R. Yancey
Vice President
Office of Consumer Affairs
Equifax
P.O. Box 105139
Atlanta, GA 30348
(404) 612-2899
Ms. Carolann V. Mathews
Vice President, Customer Relations
Equitable Life Assurance Society
135 West 50th Street
New York, NY 10020
(212) 641-7700 (direct)
(212) 245-4609 (collect)
Retail Customer Service Department
Esprit de Corp.
900 Minnesota Street
San Francisco, CA 94107-3000
(415) 648-6900
1 (800) 777-8765 (toll free)
Ms. Theresa Sullivan
Vice President, Consumer Relations
Estee Lauder Companies
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153-0003
(212) 572-4200
Ms. Carol Archer
Supervisor, Consumer Affairs
Ethan Allen, Inc.
Ethan Allen Drive
Danbury, CT 06811
(203) 743-8553
Mr. Rick Gremer
Consumer Relations Manager
The Eureka Company
1201 East Bell Street
Bloomington, IL 61701-6902
(309) 823-5735
1 (800) 282-2886 (toll free--warranty center)
Mr. Dan Evans, Chairman of the Board
Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
3776 South High Street
P.O. Box 07863
Columbus, OH 43207
(614) 491-2225
1 (800) 272-PORK (toll free outside OH)
Mr. Glen C. Lyons
Consumer Affairs Team Leader
Exxon Company U.S.A.
P.O. Box 2180
Houston, TX 77252-2180
(713) 656-2111
Ms. Barbara Catalano
Consumer Affairs Coordinator
Tsumara International, Inc.
300 Lighting Way
Secaucus, NJ 07096
(201) 223-8169
Ms. June Golden
Family Circle Magazine
110 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(212) 463-1063
Consumer Affairs Department
Faultless Starch/Bon Ami Company
1025 West Eighth Street
Kansas City, MO 64101-1200
(816) 842-1230
Fayva Shoe Stores
see Morse Shoe, Inc.
Ms. Jean H. Ward-Jones
Manager, Corporate Quality
Federal Express Corporation
P.O Box 727, Department 2142
Memphis, TN 38194-2142
(901) 395-4539
1 (800) 238-5355 (toll free)
Ms. Patricia Ikeda Carper, Director
Community Relations and Operations
Federated Department Stores
7 West Seventh Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 579-7000
Ms. Cathy Sharkey
Manager, Consumer Relations
Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 20020
(212) 957-2500
1 (800) 841-3336 (toll free--Fieldcrest Stores)
1 (800) 237-3209 (toll free--Cannon Stores)
Ms. Susan Alcorn, Director
Consumer, Government and Media Center
Finast
17000 Rockside Road
Cleveland, OH 44137-4390
(216) 587-7100
Ms. Mary Luethmers
Customer Relations Manager
Fingerhut Corporation
11 McLeland Road
St. Cloud, MN 56395
(612) 259-2500
Mr. L. A. Mann Sr.
Director, Consumer Affairs
First Brands Corporation
88 Long Hill Street
East Hartford, CT 06108
(203) 728-6000
Mr. Thomas J. Metz
Senior Vice President, Customer Services
Customer Service Center
First Fidelity Bancorporation
100 Constitution Drive
Upper Darby, PA 19082-4603
(215) 734-5090
1 (800) 345-9042 (toll free)
(215) 734-5599 (TDD)
Consumer Affairs Department
First Interstate Bank
of California
707 Wilshire Boulevard, W35-13
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 614-3103
1 (800) 626-3400 (toll free)
Customer Service
First Union National Bank
of Florida
P.O. Box 2870
Jacksonville, FL 32231-0010
(904) 361-6996
1 (800) 735-1012 (toll free)
Fisher see SFS Corporation
Ms. Carol Steck
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Fisher Price
636 Girard Avenue
East Aurora, NY 14052-1880
1 (800) 432-5437 (toll free)
Ms. April Reynolds
Special Consumer Services Manager
Florida Power and Light Co.
P.O. Box 029100
Miami, FL 33102-9100
(305) 552-4645
1 (800) 432-6554 (toll free TDD)
Ms. Monica Schmelter, Manager
Customer Relations
Florist's Transworld Delivery Association (FTD)
29200 Northwestern Highway
P.O. Box 2227
Southfield, MI 48037-4077
(313) 355-9300
1 (800) 788-9000 (toll free)
Florsheim Shoe Company
130 South Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60606-3999
(312) 559-2500
Mr. Heeth Varnedoe, President
Flowers Industries, Inc.
P.O. Box 1338
Thomasville, GA 31799-1338
(912) 226-9110
Mr. Scott R. Yablon
Vice President - Administration
Forbes Inc.
60 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
(212) 620-2409
Customer Service
Foster & Gallagher, Inc.
6523 North Galena Road
Peoria, IL 61632
(309) 691-4610 (Monday--Friday, 8:30 a.m.--5 p.m.)
(309) 691-3633 (Monday--Friday, after 5:15 p.m.)
Ms. Rosemary Myers, Vice President
Customer Service/Operations
The Franklin Mint
U.S. Route One
Franklin Center, PA 19091
(215) 459-6000
Frank's Nursery and Crafts, Inc.
A Subsidiary of General Host Corporation
6501 East Nevada
Detroit, MI 48234
(313) 366-8400
Customer Relations
Fretter Appliance Company
35901 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150
(313) 537-3701
1 (800) 736-3430 (toll free)
Mr. Brian Wooden
Manager, Consumer Affairs
The Frigidaire Co.
6000 Perimeter Drive
Dublin, OH 43017
1 (800) 374-7714
1 (800) 451-7007 (toll free - Frigidaire Appliances)
1 (800) 485-1445 (toll free - Gibson Appliances)
1 (800) 323-7773 (toll free - Kelvinator Appliance Company) 1 (800)
537-5530 (toll free--O'Keefe & Merit Appliances)
1 (800) 537-5530 (toll tree--Tappan Company, Inc.)
1 (800) 245-0600 (toll free--White Westinghouse)
Ms. Janet Rosati
Director, Consumer Services
Fruit of the Loom, Inc.
One Fruit of the Loom Drive
Bowling Green, KY 42102-9015
(502) 781-6400
Ms. Marianne Salimbene
Associate Manager
Customer Service Department
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc.
400 Commerce Boulevard
Carlstadt, NJ 07072-3009
1 (800) 659-3854, ext. 2571 (toll free)
Customer Resource Center
Fuller Brush Company
P.O. Box 1247
Great Bend, KS 67530-0729
1 (800) 523-3794 (toll free)
GTE Corporation
One Stamford Forum
Stamford, CT 06904
(203) 965-2000
Ms. Teddi Burris
Manager, Consumer Relations
Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery
P.O. Box 1130
Modesto, CA 95353
(209) 579-3161
Ms. Jeannine Deming, Manager
Consumer Service Department
Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc.
500 Forbes Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94080
(415) 952-1678
Ms. Sheila Gibbons
Director, Public Affairs
Gannett Company, Inc.
1100 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22234
(703) 284-6048
General Electric Company
For information on GE consumer products and services, call: GE
ANSWER CENTER _ service
1 (800) 626-2000 (toll free)
Ms. Giselle Simmons
Manager of Consumer Response and Information Center
General Foods Corporation
250 North Street
White Plains, NY 10625
1 (800) 431-1001 (toll free--General Foods products)
General Host Corporation
P.O. Box 10045
Stamford, CT 06904
(203) 357-9900
Ms. Sandy Weisenburger
Assistant Manager, Consumer Services
General Mills, Inc.
P.O. Box 1113
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1113
(612) 540-4295
1 (800) 328-6787 (toll free--bakery products)
1 (800) 328-1144 (toll free--cereals)
1 (800) 222-6846 (toll free--Gorton's)
1 (800) 231-0308 (toll free--snacks)
Customer Relations Department
General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC)
3044 West Grand Boulevard, Room AX348
Detroit, Ml 48202
(313) 556-0510
1 (800) 441-9234 (toll free)
1 (800) TDD-GMAC (toll tree TDD)
Customer Service
General Tire Inc.
One General Street
Akron, OH 44329-0007
1 (800) 847-3349 (toll free)
Ms. Donna Leggate, Vice President
Customer Service
Generra
316 Occidental Avenue, South
Suite 410
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 728-6888
Sales Department
Genesee Brewing Company, Inc.
445 St. Paul Street
Rochester, NY 14605
(716) 546-1030
Ms. Denise Irish (paper products)
Ms. Kathy Ziprik (building products)
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
P.O. Box 105605
Atlanta, GA 30348-5605
(404) 220-6227 (building products)
(404) 527-0038 (paper products)
Mr. Steven W. Poole, Director
Corporate Communications
Gerber Products Company
445 State Street
Fremont, MI 49413-1056
(616) 928-2000
1(800) 4-GERBER (toll free--24 hours)
1 (800) 421-4221 (toll free, 24-hour breastfeeding advice) 1 (800)
828-9119 (toll free--baby formula)
Ms. Odonna Mathews
Vice President for Consumer Affairs
Giant Food Inc.
P.O. Box 1804, Department 597
Washington, DC 20013
(301) 341-4365
(301) 341-4327 (TDD)
Gibson Appliances see The Frigidaire Co.
Ms. Beverly Smart
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Gillette Company
P.O. Box 61
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 463-3337
Glenbrook Laboratories see Sterling Health
Mr. James Sainsbury
Manager, Product Regulation
The Glidden Company
925 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 344-8818
Mr. A.L. Finley, Director
Consumer Relations
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
1144 East Market Street
Akron, OH 44316
(216) 796-4940
(216) 796-6055 (TDD)
1 (800) 321-2136 (toll free)
Mr. Michael Legrand
Vice President, Operations
Gordon's Jewelers
A Subsidiary of Zale Corporation
901 West Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, TX 75038-1003
(214) 580-4924
Consumer Affairs
Greensweep
800 North Lindbergh
St. Louis, MO 63167
1 (800) 225-2883 (toll free)
Ms. Leslie Young
Manager, Customer Relations
Greyhound Lines, Inc.
P.O. Box 660362
Dallas, TX 75266-0362
(214) 419-3914
Guess? Inc.
1444 South Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 765-3100
Guinness Import Company
Six Landmark Square
Stamford, CT 06901-2704
(203) 323-3311
1 (800) 521-1591 (toll free)
Ms. Marti Johnson
Director of Client Relations
H&R Block, Inc.
4410 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111-9986
(816) 753-6900
1 (800) 829-7733 (toll free)
HVR Company see Clorox Company
Mr. Don Freberg
Manager of Consumer Affairs
Hallmark Cards, Inc.
P.O. Box 419034
Kansas City, MO 64141-6034
(816) 274-5697
Halston Borghese, Inc.
767 5th Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, NY 10153
(212) 572-3100
Hanes see L'eggs
Hannibal Sports Promotions, Inc. see The Bohannon Group
Mr. Michael Larson
Vice President, Customer Service
Hanover-Direct Inc.
340 Poplar Street
Hanover, PA 17333-9989
(717) 637-6000
Hardwick see Maycor
Consumer Relations Department
Hartz Mountain Corporation
700 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South
Harrison, NJ 07029-9987
(201) 481-4800
Ms. Bonnie Fisher
Supervisor, Consumer Affairs
Hasbro, Inc.
P.O. Box 200
Pawtucket, RI 02861-0200
1 (800) 255-5516
Hathaway Shirts see Warnaco Men's Apparel
Mr. Patrick Beckett, Marketing Manager
Heath Company
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(616) 925-6000
Mr. Thomas J. Rattigan
Chairman and CEO
G. Heileman Brewing Company
9399 West Higgins Rd.
Rosemont, IL 60018
(708) 292-2100
Ms. Donna Elliott
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Heinz U.S.A.
P.O. Box 57
Pittsburgh, PA 15230-0057
(412) 237-5740
Consumer Affairs Department
Consumer Brands
Helene Curtis, Inc.
325 North Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610-4713
(312) 661-0222
Ms. Lael M. Moynihan
Manager, Consumer Relations
Hershey Foods Corporation
P.O. Box 815
Hershey PA 17033-0815
1 (800) 468-1714 (toll free)
Mr. Frank Gonzalez, Manager
Executive Customer Relations
Hertz Corporation
225 Brae Boulevard
Park Ridge, NJ 07656-0713
(201) 307-2000
1 (800) 654-3131 (toll free--reservations)
1 (800) 654-2280 (toll free TDD)
Customer Information Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
19310 Prune Ridge Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 246-4300
Hilton Hotels Corporation
9336 Civic Center Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90209-5567
(310) 278-4321
Mr. Mike Rudman
Vice President, Human Resources
Hit or Miss
100 Campanelli Parkway
Stoughton, MA 02072
(617) 344-0800
Mr. Jim Drummond, Director
Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc.
3890 Steve Reynolds Boulevard
Norcross, GA 30093
(404) 279-5600
1 (800) 241-6558 (toll free)
Mr. Randall Smith
Holiday Inn Worldwide
Three Ravinia Drive, Suite 2000
Atlanta, GA 30346
(404) 604-2000
Mr. Bill Sanders
Director, Consumer Affairs
Home Depot Inc.
2727 Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30339
(404) 433-8211
Ms. Karen McKeever
Assistant Vice President of Marketing
Home Owners Warranty Corporation (HOW)
1110 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 516-4100
1 (800) CALL-HOW (toll free)
Home Shopping Network
P.O. Box 9090
Clearwater, FL 34618-9090
(813) 572-8585
1 (800) 753-5353 (toll free TDD)
Mr. Ray Gwin, Manager
Consumer Affairs
Residential Division
Honeywell, Inc.
Honeywell Plaza
P.O. Box 524
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0524
(612) 951-1000
1 (800) 468-1502 (toll free)
Mr. Larry Calder
Manager of Consumer Response Center
Hoover Company
101 East Maple
North Canton, OH 44720
1 (800) 944-9200 (toll free)
Customer Service Division
The Horchow Collection
221 E. Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, TX 75039-3627
(214) 401-6300
1 (800) 395-5397 (toll free)
Ms. Julie Henderson Craven
Director, Consumer Affairs
Hormel Foods Company
501 16th Avenue N.E.
Austin, MN 55912-9989
(507) 437-5395
Hostess Cakes see Continental Baking Co.
Ms. Judy McCray, Consumer Relations
Huffy Bicycle Company
P.O. Box 1204
Dayton, OH 45401
(513) 866-6251
Customer Relations
Humana Inc.
500 West Main Street
P.O. Box 1438
Louisville, KY 40201-1438
(502) 580-1000
Hunt-Wesson, Inc.
P.O. Box 4800
Fullerton, CA 92634-4800
(714) 680-1431
Ms. Chris Buzanis
Director, Quality Assurance
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
200 West Madison Street, 39th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 750-1234
1 (800) 228-3336 (toll free)
IBC Root Beer
see Dr. Pepper/Seven-Up Companies, Inc.
Ms. Melody Curtis
IBM Information Support Center
300 East Valencia
Tucson, AZ 85706
1 (800) 426-3333
Consumer Affairs Department
Illinois Bell
225 West Randolph Street, Room 30-D
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 727-2293
Mr. Stephen Powell
Government Affairs Manager
Indiana Bell
251 North Illinois Street, Room 1680
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 265-5965
Mr. David Steadman
CEO and Chairman
Integra
4441 West Airport Freeway
Irving, TX 75062
(214) 258-8500
Communications Department
International Dairy Queen, Inc.
P.O. Box 39286
7505 Metro Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55439-0286
(612) 830-0200
International Service Specialists, Inc. see The Bohannon Group
Customer Service
JRT
5000 City Line Road
Hampton, VA 23661
(804) 827-6000
Mr. James Bennett
Customer Relations Manager
JVC Company of America
41 Slater Drive
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
(201) 808-2100
1(800) 252-5722 (toll free)
Ms. Carolyn Calkins
Manager, Customer Service
Jackson & Perkins Nursery Stock
2518 South Pacific Highway
Medford, OR 97501
(503) 776-2400
1 (800) 872-7673 (toll free)
Ms. Ophelia R. Millon
Manager of Consumer Affairs
James River Corporation
P.O. Box 6000
Norwalk, CT 06856-6000
(203) 854-2458
1 (800) 243-5384 (toll free)
Ms. Rita Topp
James River Corporation
Towel and Tissue Products
P.O. Box 6000
Norwalk, CT 06856-6000
1 (800) 243-5384 (toll free)
Jenn-Air Company see Maycor
Ms. Barbara Short
Consumer Relations
Jockey International, Inc.
2300 60th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(414) 658-8111
Public Relations
John Hancock Financial Services
P.O. Box 111
Boston, MA 02117
(617) 572-6272
Johnny Appleseed's, Inc.
30 Tozer Road
Beverly, MA 01915-0720
1 (800) 225-5051 (toll free)
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc.
Information Center
199 Grandview Road
Skillman, NJ 08558
1 (800) 526-3967 (toll free)
Complaint Department
Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.
820 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
(written complaints only)
Mr. Tom Conrardy
Director, Consumer Resource Center
S.C. Johnson and Sons
1525 Howe Street
Racine, WI 53403
1 (800) 558-5252 (toll free)
Ms. Denise Mori
Manager, Guest Services
Howard Johnson, Inc.
P.O. Box 29004
Phoenix, AZ 85038
(602) 389-5555
Mr. Jerry Taylor, Vice President
Advertising and Marketing
Jordache Enterprises, Inc.
1411 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
(212) 279-7343
1 (800) 289-5326 (toll free)
1 (800) 666-1917 (toll free)
Mr. Brian Beckwith
Vice President of Circulation
K-III
717 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 745-0500
Mr. Robert J. Clark
Manager, Customer Service
K mart Corporation
3100 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084
(313) 643-1643
1 (800) 63-KMART (toll free)
Ms. Annette Watkins-Habeski
Manager, Customer Relations
Karastan Rugmill
Division of Mohawk Industries, Inc.
P.O. Box 129
Eden, NC 27289
1 (800) 476-7113 (toll free)
1 (800) 476-7113 (toll free)
Mr. Rory J. Murphy
Senior Vice President, Operations
Carl Karcher Enterprises
1200 North Harbor Boulevard
P.O. Box 4349
Anaheim, CA 92803
(714) 774-5796
Consumer Services
Kawasaki Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
P.O. Box 25252
Santa Ana, CA 92799-5252
(714) 770-0400
Ms. Sara C. Maness
Consumer Relations Manager
Kayser-Roth Corporation
612 South Main Street
Burlington, NC 27215
(919) 229-2224
Ms. Nathalie Lofton, Supervisor
Consumer Communications
Keebler Company, Inc.
One Hollow Tree Lane
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(708) 833-2900
Ms. Linda J. Pell
Director, Consumer Affairs
Kellogg Company
P.O. Box CAMB
Battle Creek, MI 49016
1 (800) 962-1413
Mr. Robert A. Shower, Manager
Product Service
The Kelly Springfield Tire Company
12501 Willow Brook Road, S.E.
Cumberland, MD 21502-2599
(301) 777-6635
(301) 777-6017
Kelvinator Appliance Company see The Frigidaire Company
Ms. Nancy Bays
Supervisor, Consumer Relations
Kemper National Insurance Company
Public Affairs and Communications
1 Kemper Drive
Long Grove, IL 60049-0001
(708) 540-2522
1 (800) 833-0355 (toll free)
Ms. Bonnie Fisher
Supervisor, Consumer Affairs
Kenner Products
P.O. Box 200
Pawtucket, RI 02861-0200
1 (800) 327-8264 (toll free)
Ms. Cindy Van Grinsven
Director, Consumer Services
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
P.O. Box 2020
Neenah, WI 54957-2020
(414) 721-8000
1 (800) 544-1847 (toll free)
Kinetico, Inc.
10845 Kinsman Road
Newbury, OH 44065
(216) 564-9111
Kingsford Products Company see Clorox Company
Consumer Assistance Center
KitchenAid
701 Main Street
St. Joseph, MO 49085-1392
(616) 923-4500
1 (800) 422-1230 (toll free)
Ms. Veronica Barry
Assistant to the Senior Vice President
Public Relations and Communications
Calvin Klein Industries, Inc.
205 West 39th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(212) 719-2600
1 (800) 327-8731 (toll free)
Kodiak Smokeless Tobacco see Conwood Co., L.P.
Mr. Paul Scholten, Manager
Service and Technical Publications
Kohler Company
Kohler, WI 53044
(414) 457-4441
Mr. Alan Wilson, Manager
Sales Administration
Kohler Generator Division
Kohler, WI 53044
(414) 457-4441
Mr. Mark Grunow, Manager
Consumer Affairs
Plumbing and Specialty Products
Kohler Company
Kohler, WI 53044
(414) 457-4441
ATTN: Consumer Response Center
Kraft, Inc.
Kraft Court
Glenview, IL 60025
1 (800) 323-0768 (toll free)
Ms. Judy Ball
Customer Relations Manager
Kroger Company
1014 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45201
(513) 762-1589
1 (800) 632-6900 (toll free--product information)
Mr. Rody Davenport, IV
President and C.O.O.
Krystal Company
One Union Square
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(615) 757-1550
Ms. Genine Le Duff
Consumer Affairs Coordinator
LA Gear
2850 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(213) 822-1995
Mrs. Ann P. Gallaher
Manager of Consumer Services
La-Z-Boy Chair Company
1284 North Telegraph Road
Monroe, MI 48161-3309
(313) 242-1444
Consumer Relations
L&F Products
225 Summit Avenue
Montvale, NJ 07645-1575
1 (800) 888-0192
LaCoupe see Playtex Family Products Group
Ms. Marie Holen
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Land O'Lakes, Inc.
P.O. Box 116
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0116
1 (800) 328-4155 (toll free)
Customer Service
Land's End
One Land's End Lane
Dodgeville, WI 53595
1 (800) 356-4444 (toll free)
Mr. Gordon Young
Vice President, Customer Service
Lane Furniture
East Franklin Avenue
P.O. Box 151
Altavista, VA 24517
(804) 369-5641
Mr. John Gray
Vice President, Retail Service
Lechmere
275 Wildwood Street
Woburn, MA 01801
(617) 476-1404
1 (800) 733-4666 (toll free)
Ms. Barbara Distasi
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Lederle Consumer Health
1 Cyanamid Plaza
Wayne, NJ 07470
1 (800) 282-8805 (toll free-9 a.m.-4 p.m., M-F)
Ms. Christine Anderson
Customer Service
Lee Company
9001 West 67th Street
Merriam, KS 66202
(913) 384-4000
L'eggs Products
Sara Lee Hosiery
Sara Lee Corporation
5660 University Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
(919) 519-2529
Customer Service
Leichtung, Inc.
4944 Commerce Parkway
Cleveland, OH 44128
(216) 831-6191
1 (800) 654-7817 (toll free)
Lennox Industries
P.O Box 799900
Dallas, TX 75379-9900
(214) 497-5000
Consumer and Public Relations Department
Lever Brothers Company
390 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022-4698
1 (800) 598-1223 (toll free)
Consumer Affairs
Levi Strauss & Co.
1155 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
1 (800) USA-LEVI (toll free)
Ms. Eleanor Eckardt
Vice President, Consumer Relations
Levitz Furniture Corporation
6111 Broken Sound Parkway, N.W.
Boca Raton, FL 33487-2799
1 (800) 631-4601 (toll free)
Customer Service
Levolor Corporation
7614 Business Park Drive
Greensboro, NC 27409
1 (800) LEVOLOR (toll free)
Mr. Edward T. Frackiewicz
Manager of Consumer Affairs
Liberty Mutual Insurance Group
175 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02117
(617) 357-9500
1 (800) 225-2390, ext. 41015 (toll free-Presidential Service Team)
Customer Service
Life Fitness
10601 West Belmont
Franklin Park, IL 60131
1 (800) 351-3737 (toll free)
Customer Service
Lillian Vernon Corporation
2600 International Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
(804) 430-1500
Consumer Communications
Eli Lilly & Company
Lilly Corporate Center
Indianapolis, IN 46285
(317) 276-8588
(For medical information, contact your physician.)
Mr. Alfred Dietzel
Vice President
Financial and Public Relations
The Limited, Inc.
Two Limited Parkway
P.O. Box 16000
Columbus, OH 43216
(614) 479-7000
Mr. John Piscopink
Manager
Customer Service Center
Little Caeser Enterprises
2211 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
1 (800) 7-CAESAR
Lone Star Brewing Company see G. Heileman Brewing Company
Long John Silver's
101 Jerrico Drive
P.O. Box 11988
Lexington, KY 40579
(606) 263-6000
L'Oreal see Cosmair, Inc.
Mr. David Hicks
Customer Relations Manager
Lorillard Tobacco Company
2525 East Market Street
P.O. Box 21688
Greensboro, NC 27420-1688
(919) 373-6669
Communications Department
Los Angeles Times
Times Mirror Square
Los Angeles, CA 90053
(213) 237-5000
Ms. Judith Decker
Communications Manager
Lucky Stores, Inc.
P.O. Box BB
Dublin, CA 94568
(415) 833-6000
Customer Services
MAACO Enterprises, Inc.
381 Brooks Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
1 (800) 523-1180 (toll free outside PA)
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
MCA Inc.
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608-1085
(818) 777-3591
Mr. John Gerdelman
Senior Vice President
Consumer Service
MCI Consumer Markets
1200 South Hayes Street, 12th Floor
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 415-3195
Consumer Affairs Department
M&M/Mars, Inc.
High Street
Hacketstown, NJ 07840
(201) 852-1000
MTV Networks see Viacom International Inc.
Vice President
Customer Service
R.H. Macy & Company, Inc.
151 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 695-4400
Magic Chef see Maycor
Magnavox see Phillips Consumer Electronics
I. Magnin
135 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94180
(415) 362-2100
Consumer Services Manager
Mannington Resillient Floors, Inc.
P.O. Box 30
Salem, NJ 08079
(609) 935-3000
1 (800) 356-6787 (toll free)
Professional Services Office
Manor Care Corporation
10770 Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20901
(301) 681-9400
1 (800) 833-7696 (toll free outside MD)
Ms. Marie DeAngelo
Assistant Vice President
Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 270-7370
Manville Corporation/Schuller International, Inc.
P.O. Box 5108
Denver, CO 80217-5108
(303) 978-2000
1 (800) 654-3103 (toll free--product information)
Corporate Customer Relations
Marine Midland Bank, N.A.
One Marine Midland Center
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 841-2424
Customer Information Center
Marion Merrell Dow Inc.
P.O. Box 8480
Kansas City, MO 64114-0480
(800) 552-3656
Consumer Affairs
Marriott Corporation
One Marriott Drive
Attn: Department 921.60
Washington, DC 20058
(301) 380-7600
Ms. Karen Filler, CLU
Director of Customer Relations
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
1295 State Street
Springfield, MA 01111
(413) 788-8411
1 (800) 828-4902 (toll free)
MasterCard International (contact issuing bank)
1 (800) 826-2181 (toll free-lost or stolen cards or questions about
the MasterCard system)
Mr. Anthony Lopes, President
Matsushita Services Company
50 Meadowlands Parkway
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 348-7000
Ms. Tammy Longworth
Director, Consumer Affairs
Mattel Toys, Inc.
333 Continental Boulevard
El Segundo, CA 90245-5012
(213) 524-2000
1 (800) 524-TOYS
Max Factor see Procter & Gamble Company
Consumer Affairs
Maxicare Health Plans, Inc.
1149 South Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 742-0900
Maxwell House see General Foods
Mr. James F. Harner, Senior Vice President
Customer Service and Operations
May Department Stores Co.
611 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 342-4336
Mrs. Lori L. Wren
Manager, Consumer Relations
Maybelline Inc.
P.O. Box 372
Memphis, TN 38101-0372
(901) 320-2166
Maycor Appliance Parts and Service Company
240 Edwards Street, S.E.
Cleveland, TN 37311
(615) 472-3333
Customer Service Department
Mayflower Transit, Inc.
P.O. Box 107
Indianapolis, IN 46206
(317) 875-1000
1 (800) 428-1200 (toll free)
Maytag see Maycor
Ms. Mary Randisi, Director
Consumer Affairs
McCormick & Company, Inc.
211 Schilling Circle
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
(301) 527-6273
1 (800) 632-5847 (toll free)
McCrory Stores, Inc.
2955 East Market Street
York, PA 17402
(717) 757-8181
Ms. Beth Petersohn
Manager, Customer Satisfaction Department
McDonald's Corporation
Kroc Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60521
(708) 575-6198
Ms. Mary Jo Oller
Customer Service Manager
McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294
(717) 794-5461
1 (800) 262-4729 (toll free)
Consumer Services
McKee Foods Corporation
P.O. Box 750
Collegedale, TN 37315
1 (800) 522-4499
Vice President Manufacturing/TSO
McKesson Water Products Company
3280 E. Foothill Blvd. #400
Pasadena, CA 91107
(818) 585-1192
Consumer Affairs
McNeil Consumer Products Company
Johnson & Johnson
Camp Hill Road
Fort Washington, PA 19034
(215) 233-7000
Ms. Patricia Royer
Vice President, Consumer Affairs
Medco Containment Services, Inc.
100 Summit Avenue
Montvale, NJ 07645
(201) 358-5530
(201) 358-5793 (FAX)
Mr. Marshall Morton
Senior Vice President
Media General, Inc.
333 East Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 649-6000
Ms. Nancy Little
Customer Service Representative
Meineke Discount Muffler
128 South Tryon Street, Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 377-3070
Customer Relations Department
Melitta USA, Inc.
1401 Berlin Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(609) 428-7202
1 (800) 451-1694 (toll free)
Mr. D. Bruce Wheeler
Executive Vice President
Retail Bank
Mellon Bank Corporation
One Mellon Bank Center, Room 5135
Pittsburgh, PA 15258-0001
(412) 234-8552
Consumer Affairs
Melville Corporation
1 Theall Road
Rye, NY 10580
(914) 925-4000
Consumer Relations
Mem Company, Inc.
Union Street
Northvale, NJ 07647
(201) 767-0100
Ms. Jan M. Guiffaro
Associate Director, Consumer Affairs
Mennen Company
300 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
1 (800) 228-7408
Lynn Szabo
Director of Consumer Affairs
Mentholatum Company, Inc.
1360 Niagara Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
(716) 882-7660
Mercruiser
Service Department
3003 North Perkins Road
Stillwater, OK 74075
(405) 377-1200
Mercury, Mariner, and Force Outboards
Service Department
P.O. Box 1939
Fond Du Lac, WI 54936-1939
(414) 929-5000
Ms. M. J. Mosiniak, Manager
Customer Support
Merillat Industries
5353 West U.S. 223
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 263-0771
Customer Service Department
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith
265 Davidson Avenue, 4th Floor
Somerset, NJ 08873
(908) 563-8777
Ms. Colleen Dahle-Hong
Consumer Affairs Analyst
Mervyn's
25001 Industrial Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94545
(415) 786-8337
Office of the President
Metromedia Steakhouses Company, L.P.
P.O. Box 578
Dayton, OH 45401-0578
(513) 454-2400
Mr. Bruce C. Hemer
Director, Consumer Affairs
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
One Madison Avenue
Area 1-Z
New York, NY 10010-3690
(212) 578-2544
Consumer Relations Department
Michelin Tire Corporation
One Parkway South
Greenville, SC 29615
1 (800) 847-3435
Mr. Leonard Singer
Director, Consumer Relations
Michigan Bell Telephone Co.
1365 Cass Avenue, Room 1800
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 223-7224
1 (800) 482-3141 (toll free TDD)
Mr. James Gaston
Customer Service Manager/Director
Michigan Bulb Company
1950 Waldorf, N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49550
(616) 771-9500
Mr. Charles E. Ayers, Manager
Consumer Relations
Midas International Corporation
225 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
1 (800) 621-8545
Mid-Michigan Surgical Supply
360 Capitol Avenue, N.E.
Battlecreek, MI 49017
(616) 962-9541
1 (800) 445-5820
Customer Service
Miles Kimball
41 West 8
Oshkosh, WI 54906
(Written inquiries only)
Ms. Debra K. Wood
Consumer Service Coordinator
Milton Bradley Company
443 Shaker Road
East Long Meadow, MA 01028
(413) 525-6411
Mr. Charles Hoppe, National Manager
Consumer Service
Minolta Corporation
100 Williams Drive
Ramsey, NJ 07446
(201) 825-4000
Technical Services
Minwax, Inc.
15 Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645
1 (800) 888-0192
Miracle Gro Products, Inc.
P.O. Box 800
Port Washington, NY 11050
(516) 883-6550
Consumer Relations
Mitsubishi Electronics America, Inc.
5665 Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6007
Cypress, CA 90630-0007
(714) 220-1464
Mr. C. Mouzakitis, Manager
Quality and Customer Support
Mobil Oil Corporation
3225 Gallows Road
Fairfax, VA 22037
(703) 849-3994
Mr. Al Kedora
Customer Services Manager
Mobil Oil Credit Corporation
11300 Corporate Avenue
Lenexa, KS 66219-1385
(913) 752-7000
Customer Service
Crystal Brand Jewelry Group
Monet, Trifari and Marvella Jewelry
Number Two Lonsdale Avenue
Pawtucket, RI 02860
(401) 728-9800
Mr. Dan R. Bishop, Director
Corporate Communications
Monsanto Company
800 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63167
(314) 694-2883
Ms. Carol Kelch
Customer Relations Manager
Montgomery Ward
One Montgomery Ward Plaza, 9-S
Chicago, IL 60671
(312) 467-2000
Mr. Mark T. Beaudouin, Esq.
Sr. Vice President and General Counsel
Morse Shoe Company
A Subsidiary of J. Baker, Inc.
555 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021
(617) 828-9300
Consumer Affairs
Morton International
Morton Salt Division
100 North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 807-2694
Director of Marketing
Motorola, Inc.
1303 East Algonquin Road
Schaumburg, IL 60196
(708) 576-5000
Mr. George Smedley
Plant Manager
Murphy-Phoenix Co.
31900 Solon Road
P.O. Box 39670
Solon, OH 44139
(216) 248-2411
Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York (MONY)
Glenpoint Center West
500 Frank W. Burr Boulevard
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 907-6669
Mr. Anthony Monderine
Manager, Customer Relations
Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co.
Mutual of Omaha Plaza
Omaha, NE 68175
(402) 342-7600
Audience Services
NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
(212) 664-2333
Ms. Linda Middleton
Customer Service Manager
NEC Technologies Inc.
1255 Michael Drive
Wood Dale, IL 60191-1094
(708) 860-9500, ext. 4440
Ms. Sandra Lowe, Manager
Consumer Information Services
Nabisco Foods Group
100 DeForest Ave.
East Hanover, NJ 07936
(201) 503-2617
1 (800) NABISCO (toll free)
Mr. William Towey
Senior Vice President
National Amusements Inc.
200 Elm Street
Dedham, MA 02026
(617) 461-1600
Ms. Mary McElroy-Mullvain
Manager, Consumer Affairs
National Car Rental System, Inc.
7700 France Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55435
(612) 830-2033
1 (800) 367-6767 (toll free)
National Education Corporation
1732 Reynolds Street
Irvine, CA 92714
(714) 261-7606
Mr. Bill Campbell, Vice President
National Media Corporation
1700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 772-5000
Mr. James Jensen, Controller
National Presto Industries, Inc.
3925 North Hastings Way
Eau Claire, WI 54703-3703
(715) 839-2121
Mr. Glenn W. Soden
Customer Relations Officer
Nationwide Insurance Companies
One Nationwide Plaza,1-22-01
Columbus, OH 43215-2220
(614) 249-6985
1 (800) 622-2421 (toll free TDD)
Customer Relations
Neighborhood Periodical Club, Inc.
One Crowne Point Court, #130
Cincinnati, OH 45241
(513) 771-9400
Customer Service Department
Neiman-Marcus
P.O. Box 64780
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 741-6911
1 (800) 442-2274 (toll free in TX)
1 (800) 527-1767 (toll free outside TX)
Ms. Joyce Wolfe
Director, Office of Consumer Affairs
Nestle USA
800 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 549-6579
Ms. Alene Lain
Consumer Affairs
Neutrogena Corporation
5760 West 96th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 642-1150
1 (800) 421-6857 (toll free outside CA)
External Affairs
Nevada Bell
645 East Plumb Lane
Reno, NV 89520
(702) 789-6000
Mr. Edward C. Hall
Executive Vice President
The New England
501 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 578-2000
Mr. George Ittner
Chairman, CEO
New Hampton, Inc.
5000 City Line Road
Hampton, VA 23661
(804) 827-7010
Customer Service
Newport News
(formerly AVON Fashions)
5000 City Line Road
Hampton, VA 23661
(804) 825-4250
Customer Service
News America Publishing, Inc.
Four Radnor Corporate Center
Radnor, PA 19088
(215) 293-8500
1 (800) 625-7300 (toll free)
Customer Service Representative
Newsweek, Inc.
P.O. Box 403
Livingston, NJ 07039
(212) 316-2000
1 (800) 631-1040 (toll free-subscriber service only)
New Woman Magazine see K-III
Ms. Barbara Fagnano
Assistant Vice President
New York Life Insurance Company
51 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 576-5081 (collect calls accepted)
New York Magazine see K-III
Mr. Robert P. Smith, Manager
Advertising Acceptability Department
New York Times Company
229 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 556-7171
Customer Service
Nexxus Products
P.O. Box 1274
Santa Barbara, CA 93116-9976
(805) 968-6900
Ms. Nancy L. Testani
Manager, Outreach and Education
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation
300 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 474-1511
Consumer Services
Nike, Inc.
Nike/World Campus
1 Bowerman Drive
Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 671-6453
1 (800) 344-6453 (toll free outside OR)
Consumer Services
Nintendo of America Inc.
4820 150th Avenue NE
Redmond, WA 98052
1 (800) 255-3700 (toll free)
Department of Consumer Relations
Norelco Consumer Products Company
High Ridge Park
P.O. Box 10166
Stamford, CT 06904
1 (800) 243-7884
Norge see Maycor
Ms. Roslyn DeTasquale
Marketing Servicing Manager
North American Watch Corporation
650 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(201) 460-4800
Customer Relations
Northwest Airlines
C5270
5101 Northwest Drive
St. Paul, MN 55111-3034
(612) 726-2046
1 (800) 328-2298 (toll free TDD-reservations)
Mr. Thomas W. Towers
Associate Director, Public Relations
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
720 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 271-1444
Ms. Patricia J. Green, Manager
Customer Service
Norwegian Cruise Line
95 Merrick Way
Miami, FL 33134
(305) 460-2796
Mr. Chuck Wetzel
Director of Consumer Relations
Nu Tone, Inc.
Madison and Red Bank Roads
Cincinnati, OH 45227
(513) 527-5100
1 (800) 582-2030 (toll free in OH)
1 (800) 543-8687 (toll free outside OH)
The NutraSweet Company
1751 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
1 (800) 321-7254 (toll free-NutraSweet)
1 (800) 323-5316 (toll free-Equal)
Nutri/System Inc.
410 Horsham Road
Horsham, PA 10944
(215) 445-5300
President's Help Line
Nynex/New York Telephone
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
1 (800) 722-2300 (toll free in NY)
1 (800) 342-4181 (toll free TDD in NY)
Mrs. Linda Compton
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.
One Ocean Spray Drive
Lakeville/Middleboro, MA 02349
(508) 946-7407
Ms. Gail Holmes, Director
Community Relations
Ohio Bell Telephone Company
45 ErieView, Room 852
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 822-2124
O'Keefe & Merit Appliances see The Frigidaire Company
Ms. Chris Hauck
Director, Customer Service
Olan Mills, Inc.
4325 Amnicola Highway
P.O. Box 23456
Chattanooga TN 37422-3456
(615) 622-5141
1 (800) 251-6323 (toll free)
Ms. Barbara Abe
Manager, Customer Support
Olympus America
145 Crossways Park
Woodbury, NY 11797
(516) 364-3000
Ms. Bridget Burke
Consumer Relations Supervisor
Oneida, Ltd.
Kenwood Station
Oneida, NY 13421
(315) 361-3000
1 (800) 877-6667 (toll free)
Ordnance Consultant see The Bohannon Group
Origins Natural Resources, Inc. see Estee Lauder
Orkin see Rollins, Inc.
Mr. Brodrick William Hill
Manager, Consumer Services
Ortho Consumer Products
Chevron Chemical Company
P.O. Box 5047
San Ramon, CA 94583-0947
(415) 842-5539
OSCO Drugs see American Stores Company
Mr. Henry Hegel, Director
Corporate Service
Outboard Marine Corporation
100 Sea Horse Drive
Waukegan, IL 60085
(708) 689-6200
Owens Corning World Headquarters
Fiberglas Tower
Toledo, OH 43659-0001
(419) 248-8000
Customer Appeals Group
Pacific Bell
140 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 542-5004
1 (800) 697-6500 (toll free)
Public Affairs
Pacific Enterprises
555 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 244-1200
Pacific Telesis Group see Pacific Bell
Ms. Gail T. P. Wickes
Senior Vice President
Client Relations
PaineWebber Inc.
1000 Harbor Boulevard, 8th Floor
Weehawken, NJ 07087
(201) 902-4936
1 (800) 354-9103
Panasonic see Matsushita Services Company
Mr. Rick Bates
Vice President
Customer Operations
Paramount Publishing
200 Old Tappan Road
Old Tappan, NJ 07675
(201) 767-5000
Parke-Davis see Warner-Lambert Company
Peidmont Airlines see USAir
Mr. Ed Engelbercht, Manager
Customer Service
Pella Corporation
102 Main Street
Pella, IA 50219
(515) 628-1000
Ms. Pamela Lumpkin
Consumer Relations Manager
J.C. Penney Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 10001
Dallas, TX 75301-8222
(214) 431-8500
Mr. T. M. Maddox
National Technical Service Manager
Pennzoil Products Company
P.O. Box 2967
Houston, TX 77252-2967
(713) 546-8783 (collect calls accepted)
Peoples Drug Stores, Inc. see CVS
Mrs. Ellie Eng
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Pepperidge Farm, Inc.
595 Westport Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 846-7276
Ms. Christine Jones
Manager, Public Affairs
Pepsi-Cola Company
1 Pepsi Way
Somers, NY 10589-2201
(914) 767-6000
Ms. Lisa Nowak
Manager of Consumer Relations
Perdue Farms
P.O. Box 1537
Salisbury, MD 21802
(410) 543-3000
1 (800) 442-2034 (toll free outside MD)
Ms. Sandy Gordon
Marketing Division
The Perrier Group
777 West Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 531-4100
Mr. Mark E. Wooley
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Pet Incorporated
P.O. Box 66719
St. Louis, MO 63166-6719
(314) 622-6695
Marketing Department
Pfizer Inc.
235 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 573-2323
Philco see Philips Consumer Electronics
Ms. Susan A. Strausser, Administrator
Consumer Affairs
Philip Morris Companies Incorporated
120 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 880-3366
Department of Consumer Affairs
Philips Consumer Electronics
P.O. Box 555
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(615) 475-8869
Ms. Toni J. Honkisz
Corporate Quality Administrator
Philips Lighting Company
200 Franklin Square Drive
P.O. Box 6800
Somerset, NJ O8875-6800
(908) 563-3081
Public Relations
Phillips Petroleum Company
16 Phillips Building
Bartlesville, OK 74004
(918) 661-1215
Piaget see North American Watch Corporatlon
Pillsbury Company
Consumer Response
P.O. Box 550
Minneapolis, MN 55440
1 (800) 767-4466 (toll free)
Mr. Al Segal, Division Manager
Customer Service
Pioneer Electronics Service, Inc.
P.O. Box 1760
Long Beach, CA 90810
1 (800) 421-1404 (toll free)
Ms. Bonnie Fisher
Supervisor, Consumer Affairs
Playskool
Consumer Affairs Dept.
P.O. Box 200
Pawtucket, RI 02862-0200
1 (800) 752-9755
Ms. Theresa B. Thomas
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Playtex Apparel, Inc.
P.O. Box 631
MS 1526
Dover, DE 19903-0631
(302) 674-6000
1 (800) 537-9955 (toll free)
Playtex Family Products Corp.
215 College Rd.
P.O. Box 728
Paramus, NJ 07652
1 (800) 624-0825 (toll free in NJ)
1 (800) 222-0453 (toll free outside NJ)
Customer Service Department
Polaroid Corporation
784 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 577-2000 (collect calls accepted within MA)
1 (800) 343-5000 (toll free outside MA)
Mr. Richard Lugo
Consumer Relations Manager
Polo/Ralph Lauren Corporation
4100 Beechwood Drive
Greensboro, NC 27410
1 (800) 775-7656 (toll free)
Ponderosa see Metromedia Steakhouses Company, L.P.
Popeye's see America's Favorite Chicken
Premiere Magazine see K-III
Prescriptives, Inc. see Estee Lauder
Princess Marcella see Halston Borghese, Inc.
Princeton Pharmaceutical Products see Bristol-Myers Squibb
Pharmaceutical Group
Ms. Kathleen Fitzsimmons Braun
Manager, Consumer Services
Cosmetic and Fragrance Division
Procter & Gamble Company
11050 York Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21030-2098
(410) 785-4411
1 (800) 426-8374 (toll free)
Ms. Patti Shively
Associate Director, Consumer Relations
Procter & Gamble Company
P.O. Box 599
Cincinnati, OH 45201-0599
(513) 945-8787
(toll free numbers appear on all Procter & Gamble product labels)
Progresso see Pet Incorporated
Mr. Joe Kenney, Jr.
Counsel and Secretary
Provident Mutual Life Insurance
1600 Market Street
P.O. Box 7378
Philadelphia, PA 19101
(215) 636-5000
Prudential Insurance Company of America
Executive Offices
Prudential Plaza, 24th Floor
Newark, NJ 07101
(201) 802-6000
Prudential Property & Casualty Company
23 Main Street
P.O. Box 419
Holmdel, NJ 07733
(908) 946-6000
Client Relations
Prudential Securities Inc.
100 Gold Street
New York, NY 10292
(212) 776-2795
Ms. Patricia Kaufman
Director, Customer Operations
Publishers Clearing House
382 Channel Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
(516) 883-5432
1 (800) 645-9242 (toll free)
1 (800) 248-8670 (toll free TDD)
Ms. Mary Ann Jones
Director of Customer Relations
Publix Super Markets
1936 George Jenkins Boulevard
P.O. Box 407
Lakeland, FL 33802
(813) 688-1188
QVC Network
Goshen Corporate Park
1365 Enterprise Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
(215) 430-1000
Ms. Beverly Kloehn
Director of Consumer Response
Quaker Oats Company
P.O. Box 049003
Chicago, IL 60604-9003
(312) 222-7843
Mr. Benton H. Faulkner
Manager, Public Relations
Quaker State Corporation
P.O. Box 989
Oil City, PA 16301
(814) 676-7676
Quasar see Matsushita Services Company
Radio Shack see Tandy Corporation
Ms. Doris Hewkin, Director
Office of Consumer Affairs
Ralston Purina Company
Checkerboard Square
St. Louis, MO 63164
(314) 982-4566
1 (800) 345-5678 (toll free)
Ms. Susan Revello
Director, Corporate Communications
Ramada International Hotels and Resorts
2655 Lejeune Road, Suite 400
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 460-1900
a
c
Mrs. Patricia Rosafort
Supervisor, Customer Services
Readers Digest Association, Inc.
Pleasantville, NY 10570-7000
1 (800) 431-1246 (toll free)
1 (800) 735-4327 (toll free TDD)
Consumer Affairs Department
Reckitt & Colman, Inc.
P.O. Box 945
Wayne, NJ 07474-0945
(201) 305-4600
Orville Redenbacher see Hunt-Wesson, Inc.
Consumer Relations
Reebok International, Ltd.
100 Technology Center Drive
Stoughton, MA 02072
1 (800) 843-4444 (toll free)
Mr. Richard Jones
Customer Service Manager
The Regina Company
P.O. Box 638
Long Beach, MS 39560
1 (800) 847-8336 (toll free)
Ms. Cass Carroll
Director of Consumer Relations
Reliance Insurance Company
Four Penn Center Plaza
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 864-4445
1 (800) 441-1652 (toll free)
Mr. Mitch Maples, Manager
Consumer Affairs
Remco America, Inc.
10333 Richmond Ave., Suite 300
Houston, TX 77042
(713) 977-2288
Remington Arms see DuPont Co.
Customer Relations Department
Remington Products Company
60 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06004
(203) 367-4400
Ms. Linda H. Porter
Director
Revlon Consumer Information Center
P.O. Box 6113
Oxford, NC 27565
(919) 603-2828
Ms. Carol Owen, Director
Consumer Services
Reynolds Metals Company
6603 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 281-4073 (collect calls accepted)
Rhône-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Consumer Affairs
500 Arcola Road
Collegeville, PA 19426-0107
1 (800) 548-3708 (toll free, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., EST)
Richardson-Vicks, Inc. see Procter & Gamble Company
Mr. Marc Seim
Manager, Consumer Affairs
A.H. Robins Company, Inc.
1405 Cummings Drive
Richmond, VA 23261-6609
(804) 257-2000
Rockport
220 Donald Lynch Blvd.
Marlboro, MA 01752
1 (800) 343-9255
Mrs. Jeanne Dorney
Customer Satisfaction Call Center Manager
Rodale Press, Inc.
33 East Minor Street
Emmaus, PA 18049
1 (800) 848-4735 (toll free)
Mr. Michael Baviello
Service Manager
Rolex Watch U.S.A. Inc.
665 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-7700
Mr. Lawrence Beverley, Jr., Manager
Customer Service
Rollins, Inc.
2170 Piedmont Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 888-2151
Ms. Joanne Taddeo, Manager
Customer Relations
Ross Laboratories
625 Cleveland Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 624-7900
Mr. Paul W. Carter, Director
Franchise Administration
Roto-Rooter Corporation
300 Ashworth Road
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 223-1343
Roundup Lawn and Garden see Greensweep
Ms. Wynelle Sanders, Marketing Secretary
Royal Oak Enterprises, Inc.
900 Ashwood Parkway, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30338
(404) 393-1430
1 (800) 241-3955 (toll free)
Ms. Deborah Poole
Customer Service Manager
Royal Silk
800-A 31st Street
Union City, NJ 07087
1 (800) 962-6262 (toll free)
Mr. Johann Furlan, Director
Passenger Services-Customer Relations
Royal Viking Line
95 Merrick Way
Coral Gables, FL 33134
1 (800) 422-8000
Ms. Ruth A. Chambers
Supervisor, Consumer Services
Rubbermaid, Inc.
1147 Akron Road
Wooster, OH 44691-0800
(216) 264-6464
Rustler Jeans see Wrangler
Ms. Denise Kaiser
Group Manager, Customer Service
Ryder Truck Rental
P.O. Box 020816
Miami, FL 33102-0816
1 (800) 327-7777 (toll free)
Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Marketing The
Ryland Group, Inc.
11000 Broken Land Parkway
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 715-7000
7 Eleven Food Stores see The Southland Corporation
SFS Corporation
Customer Information Center
1 (800) 421-5013 (toll free)
Mr. Brian Dowling
Public Affairs Department Manager
Safeway Inc.
Oakland, CA 94660
(510) 891-3267
Ms. Donna Lane Swaap
Department Manager of Corporate Customer Service
Saks & Companies NY
12 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 940-5027
1 (800) 239-3089 (toll free)
Sandoz Company
Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corporation
59 Route 10
East Hanover, NJ 07936
(201) 503-7500
Sanyo Electric Inc. see SFS Corporation
Sara Lee Corporation
Three First National Plaza
70 West Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60602-4260
(312) 726-2600
Ms. Watson Brooks
Manager, Consumer Relations
Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.
3030 Jackson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38151-0001
(901) 320-2998
Scholl see Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.
Consumer Relations Department
Schwinn Bicycle Company
217 North Jefferson Street
Chicago, IL 60661-1111
1 (800) 633-0231 (toll free)
Ms. Penny Sass, Manager
Consumer Relations
Scott Paper Company
Scott Plaza Two
Philadelphia, PA 19113
(215) 522-6760
1 (800) 835-7268 (toll free)
Scudder Investor Information
Scudder Investor Services Inc.
160 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
1 (800) 225-2470 (toll free)
Mr. Jerri Stuckey
Ms. Alice Bauer
Consumer Relations
Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc.
800 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 572-7335
Customer Service Representative
Sealy Mattress Manufacturing Company
1228 Euclid Avenue, 10th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 522-1310
(216) 522-1366 (TDD)
Mr. Ken Waldhof
Customer Affairs Director
Seamans Furniture Company, Inc.
300 Crossways Park Dr.
Woodbury, NY 11797
(516) 682-1563
1 (800) 445-2503 (toll free)
Customer Service
G.D. Searle and Company Pharmaceuticals
P.O. Box 5110
Chicago, IL 60680
1 (800) 323-1603 (toll free)
Mr. Jerry Hauber
National Customer Relations Manager
Sears Merchandise Group
3333 Beverly Road - 731CR
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
(708) 286-5188
Coserv
Seiko Corporation of America
27 McKee Drive
Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201) 529-3311
President
Select Restaurants, Inc.
30050 Chagrin Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44124
(216) 464-6606
Customer Service
Serta, Inc.
2800 River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(708) 699-9300
1 (800) 426-0371 (toll free)
Seventeen Magazine see K-III
Seven-Up see Dr Pepper/Seven-Up Companies, Inc.
Mr. Vernon Brisson, General Manager
Customer Relations
Sharp Electronics Corporation
Sharp Plaza
P.O. Box 650
Mahwah, NJ 07430-2135
(201) 529-8200
1 (800) 526-0264 (toll free)
Customer Relations
The Sharper Image
650 Davis Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
1 (800) 344-5555 (toll free)
Mr. L.G. Adams, Manager
Credit Card Marketing Programs
Shell Oil Company
Box 4650
Houston, TX 77252
1 (800) 248-4257
a
Product Information Department
Sherwin-Williams Company, Paint Stores Group
101 Prospect Avenue, N.W.
Cleveland, OH 44115-1075
(216) 566-2151
Shoppers Department
Shoney's Inc.
1727 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 391-5201
Ms. Diane Weed
Assistant to the President
ShowBiz Pizza Time, Inc.
4441 W. Airport Freeway
Irving, TX 75062
(214) 258-8507
Showtime Networks Inc. see Viacom International Inc.
Ms. Elaine Deaver, Vice President
Consumer/Marketing Services
Simmons Company
One Concourse Parkway
Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 512-7700
Consumer Affairs Department
Sewing Products Division
Singer Sewing Company
P.O. Box 1909
Edison, NJ 08818-1909
(908) 287-0707
1 (800) 877-7762
Mr. Robert A. Zappelli
Vice President, Operations Support
Sizzler International, Inc.
12655 West Jefferson Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 827-2300
Skaggs Company see American Stores Company
Skoal Moist Smokeless Tobacco see UST
Consumer Services Department
Slim•Fast Foods Company
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022-3898
1 (800) 862-4500 (toll free)
Law and Compliance Department
Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co., Inc.
333 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 356-3999
Consumer/Public Affairs Department
SmithKline Beecham Consumer Brands
P.O. Box 1467
Pittsburgh, PA 15230-1467
(412) 928-1000
1 (800) 245-1040 (toll free)
Ms. Vickie Limbach
Manager of Communications
J.M. Smucker Company
Strawberry Lane
Orrville, OH 44667-0280
(216) 682-3000
Snapper Power Equipment
McDonough, GA 30253
Soap Opera Digest
Soap Opera Weekly see K-III
Solar Nutritionals see Thompson Medical Company
Mr. Paul Sonnabend, President
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 421-5432
Mr. Charles Gill
Manager, National Customer Relations
Sony Corporation of America
Sony Service Company
One Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
1 (800) 282-2848
South Central Bell see BellSouth Telecommunications
Southern Bell Corporation see BellSouth Telecommunications Ms.
Janey Camacho-King
Manager, Customer Relations
The Southland Corporation
P.O. Box 711
Dallas, TX 75221-0711
(214) 841-6585
1 (800) 255-0711 (toll free)
Mr. Jim Ruppel, Director
Customer Relations
Southwest Airlines
Love Field
P.O. Box 36611
Dallas, TX 75235-1611
(214) 904-4223
1 (800) 533-1305 (toll free TDD-reservations)
Executive Director
Corporate Communications
Southwestern Bell Corporation
1401 Eye Street
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 293-8553
Ms. Shirley Brisbois
Manager, Consumer Relations
Spalding & Evenflo, Inc.
425 Meadow Street
P.O. Box 901
Chicopee, MA 01021-0901
(413) 536-1200
1 (800) 225-6601 (toll free)
Mr. Paul Weiske
Customer Service Manager
Speed Queen Company
P.O. Box 990
Ripon, WI 54971-0990
(414) 748-3121
(414) 748-4053 (TDD)
Supervisor
Customer Service Department
Spencer Gifts
6826 Black Horse Pike
Pleasantville, NJ 08232
(609) 645-3300
Ms. Judith P. Luken
Director of Customer Satisfaction
Spiegel, Inc.
P.O. Box 927
Oak Brook, IL 60522-0927
(708) 986-8800
Springs Industries Inc.
Springmaid/Performance
787 7th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(212) 903-2100
Squibb see Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Group
Mr. Jack Gauthier, Marketing Manager
Stanley Hardware
Division Stanley Works
480 Myrtle Street
New Britain, CT 06050
(203) 225-5111
1 (800) 622-4393 (toll free)
Mr. Jim Stahly
Public Relations Director
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
(309) 766-2714
Consumer Affairs
Sterling Health
Division of Sterling Winthrop Inc.
90 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016-1389
1 (800) 331-4536 (toll free-Sterling Health, Glenbrook, Winthrop
Consumer Products
a
J.P. Stevens see WestPoint Pepperell
Consumer Relations
Stokley USA, Inc.
1055 Corporate Center Drive
P.O. Box 248
Oconomowoc, WI 53066-0248
(414) 569-1800
1 (800) 872-1110 (toll free)
Ms. Christine Filardo
Director, Consumer Affairs
Stop & Shop Supermarket Company Inc.
P.O. Box 1942
Boston, MA 02103
(617) 770-8895
Ms. Frances D. Karpowicz, Manager
Consumer Information Center
Stouffer Foods Corporation
5750 Harper Road
Solon, OH 44139-1880
(216) 248-3600
Mr. Matthew Cook
Director, Customer Relations
Strawbridge & Clothier
801 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 629-6722
Ms. Kathy Hatfield
Customer Service Specialist
The Stroh Brewery Company
100 River Place
Detroit, MI 48207-4291
(313) 446-2000
Consumer Affairs
Sunbeam/Oster Household Products
P.O. Box 247
Laurel, MS 39441-0247
(written inquiries only)
Ms. Donna Samelson
Manager Consumer Relations
Sun-Diamond Growers of California
P.O. Box 1727
Stockton, CA 95201
(209) 467-6000
Subscriber Service
Sunset Magazine
P.O. Box 56656
Boulder, CO 80322
1 (800) 777-0117 (toll free)
Ms. Noreen MacConchie
Manager, Customer Relations
Supermarket General Corporation
301 Blair Road
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(908) 499-3500
Mr. Doug Williams, Customer Service
Swatch Watch USA
1817 William Penn Way
Lancaster, PA 17604
(717) 394-5288
The Swiss Colony
Customer Service
1112 Seventh Avenue
Monroe, WI 53566
(60~) 324-4000
Sylvania Television see Philips Consumer Electronics
Ms. Nancy Sperling, Supervisor
Consumer Affairs
3M
3M Center, Building 225-5N-04
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
(612) 733-1871
TJX Companies (T.J. Maxx)
770 Cochituate Road
Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 390-1000
1 (800) 926-6299 (toll free)
National Consumer Assistance Center
TRW Information Services
P.O. Box 949
Allen, TX 75002-0949
(214) 235-1200
TV Guide see News America Publishing, Inc.
Customer Service
Talbots
175 Beal Street
Hingham, MA 02043
1 (800) 992-9010 (toll free)
1 (800) 624-9179 (toll free TDD)
Ms. Cindy Nothe
Manager, Consumer Services
TAMBRANDS, Inc.
P.O. Box 271
Palmer, MA 01069
(413) 289-3450
1 (800) 523-0014 (toll free)
Ms. Lucille Frey, Director
Customer Relations
Tandy Corporation/Radio Shack
1400 One Tandy Center
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 390-3218
Tappan Appliance Company, Inc. see The Frigidaire Co.
Consumer Relations and Quality Assurance
Target Stores
33 South 6th Street
P.O. Box 1392
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1392
(612) 370-6056
Technics see Matsushita Services Company
Mr. Richard C. Keller
Director, Consumer Affairs
Teledyne Water Pik
1730 East Prospect Road
Fort Collins, CO 80553-0001
(303) 484-1352
1 (800) 525-2774 (toll free)
Ms. Cathy Laffin, Director
Customer Service
Teleflora
12233 West Olympic, Suite 140
Los Angeles, CA 90064-0780
(310) 826-5253
1 (800) 421-2815 (toll free)
Public Affairs
Tenneco, Inc.
P.O. Box 2511
Houston, TX 77001-2511
(713) 757-2131
Consumer Affairs Department
Tetley Inc.
100 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 856
Shelton, CT 06484-0856
(203) 929-9342
1 (800) 732-3027
Mr. W.D. Kistler
Manager, Customer Relations
Texaco Refining and Marketing
P.O. Box 2000
Bellaire, TX 77401-2000
(713) 432-2235
Mr. Tom Shields, Consumer Products
Texas Instruments Incorporated
P.O. Box 53
Lubbock, TX 79408-0053
(806) 741-3303
1 (800) 842-2737 (toll free)
Customer Service Representative
Thom McAn Shoe Co.
67 Millbrook Street
Worcester, MA 01606-2804
(508) 791-3811
Thompson & Formby, Inc.
825 Crossover Lane, Suite 240
Memphis, TN 38117
1 (800) FORMBYS (toll free)
Consumer Services Department
Thompson Medical Company, Inc.
222 Lakeview Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401-6112
(407) 820-9900
1 (800) 352-8466 (toll free)
Ms. Janice Meikle, Vice President
Professional & Public Affairs
Thrift Drug, Inc.
615 Alpha Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 963-6600
1 (800) 284-8212 (toll free)
Customer Service
Time Inc.
1 North Dale Mabry
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 878-6100
1 (800) 541-1000 (toll free)
Time Warner Inc.
75 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10019
(212) 484-8000
Ms. Letha Watkins
Consumer Correspondent
Timex Corporation
P.O. Box 2740
Little Rock, AR 72203-2740
(501) 372-1111
1 (800) 367-9282 (toll free)
Ms. Barb Pendergast, Mr. Paul Hayles, Mr. Mike Benning, Mr. Dave
Barsantee
Golf Division
National Consumer Relations
Titleist
333 Bridge Street
Fairhaven, MA 02719
1 (800) 225-8500 (toll free)
Ms. Bonnie Fisher
Supervisor, Consumer Affairs
Tonka Products
P.O. Box 200
Pawtucket, RI 02861-0200
1 (800) 248-6652 (toll free)
Ms. Mary Elliott, Director
Communications and Public Affairs
The Toro Company
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55420
(612) 887-8900
Mr. John Newman
Vice President of Service
Mr. Dave Byrnes
Administrative Manager of Service
Toshiba America Consumer Products, Inc.
Consumer Products Business Sector
1420 Toshiba Drive
Lebanon, TN 37087
(615) 449-2360
Ms. Helen Baur
Consumer Affairs Manager
Totes, Incorporated
10078 East Kemper Road
Loveland, OH 45140
(513) 583-2300
1 (800) 282-2025
Director, Consumer Complaints
Tourneau, Inc.
488 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-3265
1 (800) 223-1288 (toll free outside NY)
Corporate Spokesperson
Toys "R" Us
461 From Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 599-7897
Mr. Bob Thomas, Manager
Control Center
Trak Auto
3300 75th Avenue
Landover, MD 20785
(301) 731-1200
Trane/CAC, Inc.
(903) 581-3200 (Residential)
(608) 787-2000 (Commercial)
Trans Union Corporation
Regional Consumer Relations Centers
Fullerton, CA
1561 East Orangethorpe
Fullerton, CA 92631
Wichita, KS
208 South Market Street
Wichita, KS 67202
Springfield, PA
760 West Sproul Road
Springfield, PA 19064
National Disclosure Center
25249 Country Club Boulevard
North Olmstead, OH 44070
Ms. Joyce M. Coleman
Staff Vice President-Customer Relations
Trans World Airlines, Inc.
110 South Bedford Road
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
(914) 242-3000
1 (800) 421-8480 (toll free TDD--reservations)
Office Of Consumer Information
The Travelers Companies
One Tower Square
Hartford, CT 06183-9079
1 (800) 243-0191 (toll free)
TruGreen Limited Partnership
855 Ridge Lake Boulevard
Memphis, TN 38120
(901) 681-1800
True Value Hardware Stores see Cotter & Company
Customer Services Department
Tupperware
P.O. Box 2353
Orlando, FL 32802
(407) 847-3111
1 (800) 858-7221 (toll free)
Ms. Terri Tingle
Vice President of Public Affairs
Turner Entertainment Networks
One CNN Center
P.O. Box 105366
Atlanta, GA 30348-5366
(404) 827-1632
Ms. Patricia Arvídson
Consumer Correspondence Representative
Turtle Wax, Inc.
5655 West 73rd Street
Chicago, IL 60638-6211
(708) 563-3600
1 (800) 323-9883 (toll free)
Ms. Judy Rowley
Director, Customer Service
Tyco Toys
P.O. Box 490
Portland, OR 97207
(503) 644-1181
1 (800) 367-8926
Ms. Willie D. Barber
Manager, Consumer Relations
Tyson Foods
P.O. Box 2020
Springdale, AR 72765-2020
(501) 290-4714
1 (800) 233-6332 (toll free)
Ms. Elaine De Shong, Vice President
Marketing Customer Service
U-Haul International
2727 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004-1120
1 (800) 528-0463
Mr. Alan Kaiser, Director
Corporate Communications
UST
100 West Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 661-1100
Union Fidelity Life Insurance Company see Aon Corporation
Mr. Stephen A. Colton
Manager, Consumer Affairs
Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company
600 South Main Street
Akron, OH 44397-0001
(216) 374-3796
1 (800) 521~9796 (toll free)
UNISYS Corporation
P.O. Box 500
Blue Bell, PA 19424-0001
(215) 986-4011
Mr. Paul Tinebra
Director of Customer Relations
United Airlines
P.O. Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
(312) 952-6168
1 (800) 323-0170 (toll free TDD--reservations)
Mr. Dick Porter
National Consumer Relations Manager
United Parcel Service of America, Incorporated
400 Perimeter Center
Terraces North
Atlanta, GA 30346
(404) 913-6000
United States Fidelity & Guarantee Company
100 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21203-1138
(301) 547-3000
Bette Malone _ Relocation Service
United Van Lines, Inc.
One United Drive
Fenton, MO 63026
1 (800) 325-3870 (toll free)
Mr. Greg Vasquez
Supervisor, Customer Service
Unocal Corporation
17700 Castleton Street, Suite 500
City of Industry, CA 91748
(818) 854-7063
1 (800) 527-5476 (toll free)
The Upjohn Company
Consumer Products Division (Over-the-Counter)
Patient Information (Prescriptions)
7000 Portage Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
1 (800) 253-8600 (toll free)
Mrs. Deborah Thompson
Director, Consumer Affairs
USAir
P.O. Box 1501
Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1501
(919) 661-0061
(703) 892-7020
Consumer Services Representative
U.S. Shoe Corporation
One Eastwood Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45227-1197
(513) 527-7000
1 (800) 284-9955 (toll free - Easy Spirit)
1 (800) 284-9949 (toll free - Selby, Cobbie and Joyce)
Mr. Jim Butler, Supervisor
Executive Consumer Services
U.S. Sprint
8001 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75247
(214) 688-5707
1 (800) 347-8988 (toll free)
U S WEST, Inc.
Orchard Falls Building
7800 E. Orchard Rd.
Englewood, CO 80111-2533
(303) 793-6500
1 (800) USW-HELP (toll free)
1 (800) 955-5833 (toll free TDD)
Consumer Relations Department
Valvoline Oil Company
3499 Dabney Drive
P.O. Box 14000
Lexington, KY 40512
(606) 264-7777
Van Heusen Company
1001 Frontier Road
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 685-0050
1 (800) 777-1726
Ms. Carole Stewart, Advertising Director
Vanity Fair
640 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
(212) 582-6767
1 (800) 832-8662 (toll free)
Mr. George J. Kahl
Vice President Marketing
Van Munching and Co., Inc.
1270 Avenue of the Americas, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10020
(212) 332-8500
Ms. Hilary E. Condit
Vice President, Corporate Relations
Viacom International Inc.
1515 Broadway, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10036
(212) 258-6346
Mr. Peter Doane
Vice President/Treasurer
Vicorp Restaurants Inc.
400 West 48th Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 296-2121
Customer Relations
Visa USA, Inc.
P.O. Box 8999
San Francisco, CA 94128-8999
(415) 570-2900
Cardholder should always call issuing bank first.
Consumer Affairs
Vons Companies Inc.
P.O. Box 3338
Los Angeles, CA 90051
(818) 821-7000
Customer Service Representative
Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
1770 Fernbrook Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447
(612) 553-7000
1 (800) 328-8251 (toll free)
Susan Powers
Manager Customer Relations
Walgreen Co.
200 Wilmot Road
Mail Stop 440
Deerfield, IL 60015
(708) 940-2927
1 (800) 289-2273 (toll free)
Customer Relations
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 S.W. Eighth Street
Bentonville, AR 72716-0117
(501) 273-4000
Ms. Rebecca Pierce
Consumer Affairs Manager
Wamsutta Pacific
1285 Avenue of the Americas
34th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 903-2000
1 (800) 344-2142 (toll free)
Wang Express
Wang Laboratories Inc.
1 Industrial Ave.
Lowell, MA 01851
(508) 656-8000
Mr. Daniel Pruolx
Manufacturing Vice President
Warnaco Men's Apparel
10 Water Street
Waterville, ME 04901
(207) 873-4241
Mr. Mitch Rosalsky, Director
Consumer Affairs Division
Warner-Lambert Company
201 Tabor Road
Morris Plains, NJ 07950
(201) 540-2459
1 (800) 223-0182 (toll free)
1 (800) 524-2624 (toll free--Parke Davis
Products/over-the-counter) 1 (800) 742-8377 (toll free--Schick
Razor)
1 (800) 562-0266 (toll free--EPT)
1 (800) 223-0182 (toll free--Warner-Lambert products)
1 (800) 524-2854 (toll free--Trident)
1 (800) 343-7805 (toll free TDD)
Customer Service
Weider Health and Fitness
21100 Erwin St.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818) 884-6800
Welch's see Dr Pepper/Seven-Up companies, Inc.
Ms. Karen Wegmann
Executive Vice President
Corporate Community Development Group
Wells Fargo & Company
420 Montgomery Street
MAC 0101-121
San Francisco, CA 94163
(415) 396-3832
(916) 322-1700 (TDD)
Ms. Susan Kosling
Consumer Relations Manager
Wendy's International, Inc.
P.O Box 256
Dublin, OH 43017-0256
(614) 764-6800
Ms. Joanne Turchany
Manager of Consumer Information
West Bend Company
400 Washington Street
West Bend, WI 53095
(414) 334-2311
Ms. Karen Walters
Senior Operations Manager
Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
13022 Hollenberg Drive
Bridgeton, MO 63044
(314) 291-8000
a
Ms. Jackie McWhorter
Consumer Affairs Coordinator
WestPoint Pepperell
P.O. Box 609
West Point, GA 31833-0609
1 (800) 533-8229 (toll free)
Mr. Don Skinner, Director
Customer Relations Department
Whirlpool Corporation
2303 Pipestone Rd.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022-2427
(616) 926-5000
1 (800) 253-1301 (toll free)
White Westinghouse Appliances see The Frigidaire Co.
Customer Service
Williams-Sonoma
100 North Point Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 421-7900
Mr. C.H. McKellar
Executive Vice President
Winn Dixie Stores Inc.
Box B
Jacksonville, FL 32203
(904) 783-5000
Mr. Steven R. Evenson
Service Operations Manager
Winnebago Industries
P.O. Box 152
Forest City, IA 50436-0152
(515) 582-6939
Winthrop Consumer Products see Sterling Health
Corporate Communications
Wisconsin Bell
722 North Broadway, 13th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202-4396
(414) 678-0681
1 (800) 237-8576 (toll free)
1 (800) 242-9393 (toll free TDD in WI)
Wonder Bread see Continental Baking Company
Customer Service
F.W. Woolworth Company
233 Broadway
New York, NY 10279-0001
(212) 553-2000
Customer Service
World Book Educational Products
101 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1192
1 (800) 621-8202 (toll free)
Ms. Wanda Fitch
Consumer Relations
Wrangler
P.O. Box 21488
Greensboro, NC 27420
(919) 373-3564, 5664
Ms. Barbara Zibell
Consumer Affairs Administrator
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
410 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-2121
Customer Relations
Xerox Corporation
100 Clinton Avenue South
Rochester, NY 14644
(716) 423-5480
Ms. Lindsey Foster, Manager
Customer Relations
Yamaha Motor Corporatlon
6555 Katella Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630-5101
(714) 761-7439
Mrs. Lori L. Wren
Manager, Consumer Relations
The Yardley Limited Company
P.O. Box 372
Memphis, TN 38101-0372
(901) 320-2166
Ms. Laura Moore, Manager
Corporate Communications
Zale Corporation
901 West Walnut Hill Lane
Irving, TX 75038-1003
(214) 580-5104
Mr. Larry Liddle
Director of Customer Assistance
Zenith Data Systems
2150 East Lake Cook Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(708) 808-4356
Vice President, Consumer Affairs
Zenith Electronics Corporation
1000 Milwaukee Avenue
Glenview, IL 60025-2493
(708) 391-8100 (voice only)
1 (800) 488-8129 (toll free TDD only)
National Consumer Organizations
These organizations define their missions as consumer assistance,
protection and/or advocacy. The descriptions below are based on
information they provided. The services they provide vary. Those
that assist individuals with marketplace problems are specified
clearly. Otherwise, these organizations do not assist consumers
with individual complaints, although many are
interested in hearing from consumers about problems, issues,
trends, etc., in connection with their advocacy and consumer
education activities. Most, though not all, develop and
distribute consumer education and information materials; several
are professional associations primarily or exclusively concerned
with improving consumer protection or customer service; and many
are engaged in advocacy of consumer interests before government,
the courts and the news media. Where information or education
materials are offered, there might be a charge; contact the
organization to find out.
Alliance Against Fraud in Telemarketing (AAFT)
c/o National Consumers League
815 15th Street, N.W., Suite 928-N
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 639-8140
(202) 347-0646 (fax)
The alliance, coordinated by the National Consumers League, is an
international coalition of public interest groups, trade
associations, labor unions, businesses, law enforcement agencies,
consumer reporters and consumer protection agencies. AAFT
members promote cooperative educational efforts to alert
potential victims to the threat of telemarketing fraud and steps
consumers can take to protect themselves.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Consumer Affairs Section
601 E Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20049
(202) 434-6030
(202) 434-6466 (fax)
AARP's Consumer Affairs Section advocates on behalf of mid-life and
older consumers, develops and distributes consumer
information, and educates the private sector about the specific
needs of older consumers. Programs and materials on housing,
insurance, funeral practices, eligibility for public benefits,
financial security and consumer protection issues are developed,
with special focus on the needs and problems of older consumers.
American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI)
240 Stanley Hall
University of Missouri - Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
(314) 882-3817
(314) 884-4807 (fax)
Contact: Anita B. Metzen, Executive Director
Serving the professional needs of consumer educators, researchers
and policymakers, ACCI publications and educational programs foster
the production, synthesis and dissemination of information in the
consumer interest.
American Council on Science and Health (ACSH)
1995 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10023-5860
(212) 362-7044
(212) 362-4919 (fax)
A non-profit public education group, ACSH's goal is to provide up-
to-date, sound information on the relationship between health and
chemicals, foods, lifestyles and the environment. Booklets and
special reports on a variety of topics are available, as is a
quarterly magazine.
Bankcard Holders of America (BHA)
Suite 120
560 Herndon Parkway
Herndon, VA 22070
(703) 481-1110
(703) 481-6037 (fax)
A non-profit organization, BHA assists consumers in saving money on
credit, getting out of debt and resolving credit problems. It
offers lists of low-rate and secured credit cards, more than 20
guidebooks and educational brochures on credit topics, and a
newsletter.
Call for Action
3400 Idaho Avenue, N.W.
Suite 101
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 537-0585
(202) 244-4881 (fax)
Call for Action does assist consumers with marketplace problems.
An international non-profit hotline, Call for Action is
affiliated with radio and television stations and helps consumers
and small businesses through mediation of marketplace disputes. A
list of the affiliated radio and television stations is
available by contacting the hotline.
Center for Auto Safety (CAS)
2001 S Street, N.W., Suite 410
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 328-7700
CAS does assist consumers with auto-related problems. CAS
advocates on behalf of consumers in auto safety and quality, fuel
efficiency, emissions and related issues. For advice on specific
problems, CAS requests that consumers write, including a brief
statement of the problem or question; year, make and model of the
vehicle; and a stamped self-addressed envelope.
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-9110
(202) 265-4954 (fax)
A non-profit, membership organization, CSPI conducts research,
education and advocacy on nutrition, health, food safety and
related issues and publishes the monthly Nutrition Action
Healthletter, as well as other consumer information materials.
Citizen Action
1120 19th Street, N.W.
Suite 630
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 775-1580
(202) 296-4054 (fax)
Citizen Action works on behalf of its 3 million members and 32
state organizations on health care reform, environment and energy
issues.
COCO (Congress of Consumer Organizations)
P.O. Box 158
Newton Center, MA 02150
(617) 552-8184
COCO publishes a monthly newsletter, the COCO INTERCOM, on a broad
range of consumer issues.
Community Nutrition Institute (CNI)
2001 S Street, N.W., Suite 530
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4700
(202) 462-5241 (fax)
An advocate for programs and services to enable consumers to enjoy
a diet that is adequate, safe and healthy, CNI also works to
increase citizen participation in the state and Federal policy and
administrative processes to achieve these goals. CNI
publishes Nutrition Week, a newsletter covering nutrition and food
safety issues.
Congress Watch
215 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 546-4996
(202) 547-7392 (fax)
An arm of Public Citizen, Congress Watch works for
consumer-related legislation, regulation and policies in such areas
as trade and banking, health and safety, and campaign financing,
and has publications available on the issues with which it deals.
Consumer Action (CA)
116 New Montgomery, Suite 233
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-9635 (consumer complaint hotline, 10 a.m. -3 p.m., PST)
(415) 777-5267 (fax)
Consumer Action does assist consumers with marketplace problems.
An education and advocacy organization specializing in banking and
telecommunications issues, Consumer Action offers a consumer
complaint hotline, free information on its surveys of banks and
long-distance telephone companies, and consumer education
materials in as many as eight languages.
Consumer Alert
2700 South Quincy Street
Suite 210
Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 845-8802
(703) 845-8920 (fax)
Consumer Alert is a non-profit, membership organization whose
mission is to inform the public about the consumer benefits of
competitive enterprise, advancing competition as the best
regulator of business. A bimonthly newsletter and other
materials are available.
Consumer Federation of America (CFA)
1424 16th Street, N.W., Suite 604
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 387-6121
(202) 265-7989 (fax)
Made up of more than 240 organizations representing a membership
exceeding 50 million consumers, CFA is a consumer advocacy and
education organization. Issues on which it currently represents
consumer interests before Congress and Federal regulatory
agencies include telephone service, insurance and financial
services, product safety, indoor air pollution, health care,
product liability and utility rates. It develops and distributes
studies of various consumer issues, as well as consumer guides in
book and pamphlet form. In addition, CFA publishes several
newsletters.
Consumers for World Trade (CWT)
2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 785-4835
(202) 416-1734 (fax)
A non-profit organization, CWT supports trade expansion and
liberalization to promote economic growth and increase consumer
choice and price competition in the marketplace. Various
publications are available.
Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. (CU)
101 Truman Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703-1057
(914) 378-2000
(914) 378-2900 (fax)
A non-profit, independent organization, CU researches and tests
consumer goods and services and disseminates the results in its
monthly magazine, Consumer Reports, as well as other publications
and media.
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (CBBB)
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 276-0100
Sponsored by national companies, the Council of Better Business
Bureaus provides coordination and leadership to the 166 Better
Business Bureaus (BBBs) in the U.S. (see page XX for the
listing), offers a national advertising review program, dispute
resolution services, an advisory service that reports on national
charities, consumer information services, and voluntary industry
guidelines for advertising and selling products and services.
Families USA
1334 G Street, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 737-6340
(202) 347-2417 (fax)
A national, non-profit membership organization committed to
comprehensive reform of health and long-term care, Families USA
works to educate and mobilize consumers on health care issues. In
addition to its two grassroots advocacy networks, a.s.a.p., a
network of health and long-term care reform activists, and
HealthLink USA, a nationwide health reform computer network for
advocacy groups, Families USA develops and distributes reports and
other materials on health and long-term care issues.
Health Research Group (HRG)
2000 P Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-3000
A division of Public Citizen, HRG works for protection against
unsafe foods, drugs, medical devices and workplaces, and
advocates for greater consumer control over personal health
decisions. A monthly Health Letter and other publications are
available.
National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA) 1010
Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Suite 514
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-7395
(202) 347-2563 (fax)
An association of the administrators of local, state and Federal
government consumer protection agencies, NACAA provides training
programs, public policy studies and conferences, professional
publications and other member services.
National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)
Consumer Protection Committee
444 North Capitol Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 434-8000
(202) 434-8008 (fax)
Contact: Emmitt Carlton, Consumer Protection and Charities
Counsel, (202) 434-8016
An association of state attorneys general and their staffs, NAAG's
Consumer Protection Committee provides coordination and information
exchange among the states and Federal regulatory agencies on
consumer protection issues. The committee's current priority
subjects include auto sales and repair; banking, housing and
credit; charitable trusts and solicitations; consumer
education; the elderly and consumer law; telecommunications; and
telemarketing fraud.
National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA)
1133 15th Street, N.W., Suite 575
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 727-3908
(202) 727-3911 (fax)
A national organization of 43 utility ratepayer advocate offices in
38 states and the District of Columbia, NASUCA members
represent millions of consumers served by investor-owned gas,
telephone, electric and water companies before state regulatory
commissions, the courts, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
and the Federal Communications Commission.
National Coalition for Consumer Education (NCCE)
434 Main Street, Suite 20l
Chatham, NJ 07928
(201) 635-1916
(201) 635-9526 (fax)
The coalition brings together people and resources from
government, business, education, consumer organizations and the
media to educate consumers about such important issues as
financial management, health and safety, and the environment. The
coalition develops and provides educational materials and resources
to consumer educators, but does not handle requests from
individuals.
National Consumers League (NCL)
815 15th Street, N.W., Suite 928-N
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 639-8140
(202) 737-2164 (fax)
Founded in 1899, NCL is America's pioneer consumer advocacy
organization. The league is a non-profit, membership
organization working for consumer health and safety protection and
fairness in the marketplace and workplace. Current principal issue
areas include consumer fraud, food and drug safety, fair labor
standards, child labor, health care, the environment and
telecommunications. The league develops and distributes consumer
education materials and a newsletter.
National Foundation For Consumer Credit, Inc. (NFCC)
8611 2nd Avenue, Suite 100
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 589-5600
1 (800) 388-2227 (toll free)
(30l) 495-5623 (fax)
The foundation does advise consumers on credit problems. A non-
profit membership organization, the foundation's goals are to
educate and counsel consumers on credit issues and problems and
promote the intelligent use of credit in individual and family
financial planning. NFCC provides leadership for a growing number,
currently more than 800, of non-profit community Consumer Credit
Counseling Services in the U.S. and Canada.
National Fraud Information Center (NFIC)
c/o National Consumers League
815 15th Street, N.W., Suite 928-N
Washington, DC 20005
1 (800) 876-7060 (toll free-TDD available)
(202) 347-0646 (fax)
NFIC does assist consumers with recognizing and filing complaints
about fraud. A project of the National Consumers League, the
center's toll-free hotline assists consumers with information to
help them avoid becoming victims of fraud, referral to
appropriate law enforcement agencies and professional
associations, and assistance in filing complaints. The center also
provides professionals involved in consumer fraud prevention and
enforcement with telecommunications systems and data links to
improve fraud regulation, prevention and law enforcement.
National Institute for Consumer Education (NICE)
207 Rackham Building
College of Education
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(313) 487-2292
(313) 487-7153 (fax)
A consumer education resource and professional development center
for K-12 classroom teachers, business, government, labor and
community educators, NICE conducts training programs, develops
teaching guides and resource lists, and manages a national
clearinghouse of consumer education materials, including videos,
software programs, textbooks and curriculum guides.
National Insurance Consumer Organization (NICO)
P.O. Box 15492
Alexandria, VA 22309
(703) 549-8050
A non-profit organization, NICO's mission includes educating the
consumer on buying insurance, monitoring the insurance industry for
consumer fraud and abuse, and advocating insurance consumers'
rights. NICO develops and distributes consumer information on
insurance.
Public Citizen, Inc.
2000 P Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 833-3000
A national, non-profit membership organization representing
consumer interests through lobbying, litigation, research and
publications, Public Citizen represents consumer interests in
Congress, the courts, government agencies and the media. Primary
current areas of interest include product liability, health care
delivery, safe medical devices and medications, open and ethical
government, and safe and sustainable energy use.
Public Voice for Food and Health Policy
1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Suite 522
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-5930
(202) 659-3683 (fax)
A national research, education and advocacy organization, Public
Voice works for food and agriculture policies and practices that
improve the safety, health and affordability of the food supply and
protect the environment. Public Voice develops and
distributes consumer information materials on pesticide
reduction, nutrition labeling and seafood safety.
Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business (SOCAP) 801
North Fairfax Street, Suite 404
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 519-3700
(703) 549-4886 (fax)
An international professional organization, SOCAP provides
training, conferences and publications to encourage and maintain
the integrity of business in transactions with consumers; to
encourage and promote effective communication and understanding
among business, government and consumers; and to define and advance
the consumer affairs profession.
U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG)
215 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 546-9707
The group is the national lobbying office for state public
interest research groups, consumer/environmental advocacy groups
active in 33 states that lobby and publish reports on issues,
including credit bureau errors; bank fees and services; toy, ATV
and product safety; toxic chemicals in art supplies and other
consumer products; and recycling, over-packaging and green
consumerism. U.S. PIRG does not handle individual consumer
complaints directly, but measures complaint levels to gauge the
need for remedial legislation.
Car Manufacturers
If you have a problem with a car purchased from a local dealer,
first try to work it out with the dealer. If the problem is not
resolved, contact the manufacturer's regional or national office.
Many of these are listed in this section.
If you still cannot resolve your problem, contact one of the third-
party dispute resolution programs. The list of these programs
begins on page 67. Be sure to contact your local or state consumer
agency to see if your state offers state-run dispute resolution
programs.
If you suspect you have a vehicle problem that might fall under
your state's lemon law, call your local or state consumer agency to
find out about your rights under the lemon law.
Be sure to review the automobile tips beginning on page 9. If you
have a safety problem with your vehicle, you can report it to the
Auto Safety Hotline at the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (see page 108). Also contact the NHTSA to obtain
recall and crash test information. (Note: no complaint handling
is provided.)
All of the "800" numbers in the following list are toll free within
the continental United States.
ACURA
Customer Relations Department
ACURA
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
1 (800) 382-2238 (toll free)
Alfa-Romeo Distributors of North America, Inc.
Customer Service Manager
Alfa-Romeo Distributors of North America, Inc.
8259 Exchange Drive
P.O. Box 598026
Orlando, FL 32859-8026
(407) 856-5000
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
California
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Western Zone
700 Van Ness Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90509-2260
(213) 781-4565
Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico,
Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nevada,
Texas (El Paso)
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
West Central Zone
1600 South Abilene Street, Suite D
Aurora, CO 80012-5815
(303) 696-3935
Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York State (excluding NY City,
its five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester County), Connecticut
(excluding Fairfield County), Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
New England Zone
555 Old Country Road
Windsor Locks, CT 06096-0465
(203) 623-3310
Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Southeastern Zone
1500 Morrison Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30201-2199
(404) 442-2045
Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan (Upper
Peninsula)
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
North Central Zone
601 Campus Drive, Suite A-9
Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1407
(708) 870-5600
West Virgina, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
District of Columbia
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Mid-Atlantic Zone Office
902 Wind River Lane, Suite 200
Gaithersburg, MD 20878-1974
(301) 990-2020
Ohio (Steubenville), West Virginia (Wheeling), Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Delaware, New York (NY City, its five boroughs, Long
Island, Westchester County, Connecticut (Fairfield County)
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Northeast Zone
115 Gaither Drive
Moorestown, NJ 08057-0337
(609) 235-5533
Michigan (except for Upper Peninsula), Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Central Zone
101 South Stanfield Road
Troy, OH 45373-8010
(513) 332-6250
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Hawaii, Alaska
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Northwest Zone
12439 N.E. Airport Way
Portland, OR 97220-0186
(503) 256-0943
Texas (excluding El Paso), Arkansas (excluding Fayetville,
Bentonville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro), Oklahoma (Lawton, Ardmore),
Louisiana, Mississippi
Customer Relations Department
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
South Central Zone
4529 Royal Lane
Irving, TX 75063-2583
(214) 929-5481
Corporate Office:
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
(213) 783-3260
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
California
Regional Customer Relations Manager
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
One Autry Street
Irvine, CA 92718-2785
(714) 770-2626
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina
Regional Customer Relations Manager
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
Southeastern Region
205 Hembree Park Drive
P.O. Box 6250
Roswell, GA 30076
(404) 475-1995
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri (except
Kansas City Metro Area), North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Regional Customer Relations Manager
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
Central Region
1830 Jarvis Avenue
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(708) 952-8111
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey (north
of Toms River), New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Regional Customer Relations Manager
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
Northeast Region
156 Ludlow Avenue
P.O. Box 965
Northvale, NJ 07647-0965
(201) 784-1414
Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas (Kansas City Metro Area), Louisiana,
Nevada (southern), New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Regional Customer Relations Manager
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
Southwest Region
1150 Isuzu Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
(214) 647-2911
Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada (northern), Oregon, Utah,
Washington, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota
Regional Customer Relations Manager
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
Northwest Region
8727 148th Avenue, N.E.
Redmond, WA 98052
(206) 881-0203
New Jersey (south of Toms River), Pennsylvania, Maryland,
Delaware, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Regional Customer Relations Manager
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
1 Isuzu Way
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
(410) 761-2121
Headquarters:
American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
Customer Relations Department
13181 Crossroads Parkway North
P.O. Box 2480
City of Industry, CA 91746-0480
(310) 699-0500
1 (800) 255-6727 (toll free)
American Motors Corporation see Jeep/Eagle Division of Chrysler
Motors Corporation
American Suzuki Motor Corporation
American Suzuki Motor Corporation
3251 E. Imperial Highway
Brea, CA 92621-6722
Attn: Customer Relations Department
Automobiles
1 (800) 934-0934 (toll free)
Motorcycles
(714) 996-7040, ext. 380
Audi of America, Inc.
Customer Relations - 3E03
Audi of America, Inc.
3800 Hamlin Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
General assistance and
customer relations
1 (800) 822-2834 (toll free)
Replacement and repurchase assistance
1 (800) 955-5100 (toll free)
BMW of North America, Inc.
Corporate Office:
National Customer Relations Manager
BMW of North America, Inc.
P.O. Box 1227
Westwood, NJ 07675-1227
1 (800) 831-1117 (toll free)
Chrysler Motors Corporation
Phoenix Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
11811 N. Tatum Boulevard, Suite 4025
Phoenix, AZ 85028-1627
(602) 953-6899
Los Angeles Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 14112
Orange, CA 92613-1512
(714) 565-5200
San Francisco Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 5009
Pleasanton, CA 94566-0509
(510) 463-1770
Denver Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
12225 East 39th Avenue
Denver, CO 80239
(303) 373-8888
Orlando Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
8000 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32809
(407) 352-7402
Atlanta Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
3350 Cumberland Circle, Ste. 800
Atlanta, GA 30339
(404) 644-6800
Chicago Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
650 Warrenville Road, Suite 502
Lisle, IL 60532
(708) 515-2450
Kansas City Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 25668
Overland Park, KS 66225-5668
(913) 469-3090
New Orleans Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 157
Metairie, LA 70004
(504) 830-3400
Washington, D.C. Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 1900
Bowie, MD 20716
(301) 464-4040
Boston Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
550 Forbes Boulevard
Mansfield, MA 02048-2038
(508) 261-2299
Detroit Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 3000
Troy, MI 48007-3000
(313) 952-1300
Minneapolis Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 1231
Minneapolis, MN 55440
(612) 553-2546
St. Louis Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 278
Hazelwood, MO 63042
(314) 895-0731
Syracuse Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 603
Dewitt, NY 13214-0603
(315) 445-6941
New York Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
500 Route 303
Tappan, NY 10983-1592
(914) 359-0110
Charlotte Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
4944 Parkway Plaza Boulevard
Suite 470
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 357-7065
Cincinnati Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 41902
Cincinnati, OH 45241
(513) 530-1500
Portland Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 744
Beaverton, OR 97075
(503) 526-5555
Philadelphia Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
Valley Brook Corporate Center
101 Linden Wood Drive, Suite 320
P.O. Box 3025
Malvern, PA 19355-0725
(215) 251-2990
Pittsburgh Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
Penn Center West 3, Suite 420
Pittsburgh, PA 15276-0198
(412) 788-6622
Memphis Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 18008
Memphis, TN 38181-0008
(901) 797-3870
Dallas Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 110162
Carrollton, TX 75011-0162
(214) 242-8462
Houston Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
363 North Sam Houston Parkway East
Suite 590
Houston, TX 77060-2405
(713) 820-7062
Milwaukee Zone Office
Customer Relations Manager
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 1634
Waukesha, WI 53187-1634
(414) 798-3750
Corporate Office:
Ms. A. Tomlanovich
Chrysler Customer Center
Chrysler Corporation
P.O. Box 302
Center Line, MI 48015-93062
1 (800) 992-1997 (toll free)
Ferrari North America, Inc.
Corporate Office:
Mr. Kenneth McCay
Director of Service and Parts
Ferrari North America, Inc.
250 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
(201) 816-2650
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relations Manager
Ford Motor Company
300 Renaissance Center
P.O. Box 43360
Detroit, MI 48243
1 (800) 392-3673 (toll free--all makes)
1 (800) 521-4140 (toll free--Lincoln and Merkur only)
1 (800) 241-3673 (toll free--towing and dealer location service) 1
(800) 232-5952 (toll free TDD)
General Motors Corporation
Customer Assistance Center
Chevrolet/Geo Motor Division
General Motors Corporation
P.O. Box 7047
Troy, MI 48007-7047
1 (800) 222-1020 (toll free)
1 (800) TDD-CHEV (toll free TDD)
Customer Assistance Center
Pontiac Division
General Motors Corporation
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac, MI 48340-2952
1 (800) 762-2737 (toll free)
1 (800) TDD-PONT (toll free TDD)
Customer Assistance Network
Oldsmobile Division
General Motors Corporation
P.O. Box 30095
Lansing, MI 48921
1 (800) 442-6537 (toll free)
1 (800) TDD-OLDS (toll free TDD)
Customer Assistance Center
Buick Motor Division
General Motors Corporation
902 East Hamilton Avenue
Flint, MI 48550
1 (800) 521-7300 (toll free)
1 (800) TD-BUICK (toll free TDD)
Consumer Relations Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
General Motors Corporation
30009 Van Dyke
P.O. Box 9025
Warren, MI 48090-9025
1 (800) 458-8006 (toll free)
1 (800) TDD-CMCC (toll free TDD)
Customer Service Department
GMC Truck Division
General Motors Corporation
Mail Code 1607-07
16 Judson Street
Pontiac, MI 48342
1 (800) 462-8782
1 (800) GMC-TKTD (toll free TDD)
Saturn Assistance Center
Saturn Corporation
General Motors Corporation
100 Saturn Parkway
Spring Hill, TN 37174
1 (800) 553-6000 (toll free)
1 (800) TDD-6000 (toll free TDD)
Honda see American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Hyundai Motor America
Customer Service
Hyundai Motor America
10550 Talbert Avenue
P.O. Box 20850
Fountain Valley, CA 92728-0850
1 (800) 633-5151 (toll free)
ISUZU see American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
Jaguar Cars Inc.
U.S. National Headquarters:
Customer Relations Department
Jaguar Cars Inc.
555 MacArthur Boulevard
Mahwah, NJ 07430-2327
(201) 818-8500
Jeep/Eagle Division of Chrysler Motors Corporation see Chrysler
Zone and National Offices
Mazda Motor of America, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters:
Customer Relations Manager
Mazda Motor of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 19734
Irvine, CA 92718
1 (800) 222-5500 (toll free)
Mercedes Benz of North America, Inc.
National Headquarters:
Mercedes Benz of North America
1 Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
(201) 573-0600
Customer Assistance Center
1 Glenview Road
Montvale, NJ 07645
(201) 476-6200
North Central Region Office
3333 Charles Street
Franklin Park, IL 60131-1469
Northeast Region Office
Baltimore Commons Business Park
1300 Mercedes Drive (2nd Floor)
Hanover, MD 21076-0348
Southern Region Office
8813 Western Way
Jacksonville, FL 32245-7604
Western Region Office
8357 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90093-0637
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.
Corporate Office:
National Consumer Relations Manager
Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.
6400 West Katella Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630-5208
1 (800) 222-0037 (toll free)
Nissan Motor Corporation in USA
Nissan Motor Corporation in USA
P.0. Box 191
Gardena, CA 90248-0191
1 (800) 647-7261 (toll free-all consumer inquiries)
Peugeot Motors of America, Inc.
Mr. William J. Atanasio
National Customer Relations Manager
Peugeot Motors of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 607
One Peugeot Plaza
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071-3498
(201) 935-8400
1 (800) 345-5549 (toll free)
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Manager, Owner Relations
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
100 West Liberty Street
P.O. Box 30911
Reno, NV 89520-3911
1 (800) 545-8039
Saab Cars USA, Inc.
Customer Assistance Center
Saab Cars USA, Inc.
4405-A Saab Drive
P.O. Box 9000
Norcross, GA 30091
1 (800) 955-9007 (toll free)
Subaru of America, Inc.
National Customer Service Center
Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru Plaza
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
1 (800) SUBARU3 (toll free)
1 (800) 782-2783 (toll free)
Hawaii
Schuman Carriage Company
1234 S. Berentania Street
P.O. Box 2420
Honolulu, HI 96804
(808) 553-6211
Suzuki see American Suzuki
Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Sales, Inc.
Customer Assistance Center
Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.
Department A102
19001 South Western Avenue
Torrance, CA 90509
1 (800) 331-4331 (toll free)
Volkswagen United States, Inc.
Customer Relations - 2F02
Volkswagen United States, Inc.
3800 Hamlin Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
General assistance and customer relations
1 (800) 822-8987 (toll free)
Replacement and repurchase assistance
1 (800) 955-5100 (toll free)
Volvo Cars of North America
Corporate Office:
Consumer Affairs
Volvo Cars of North America
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, NJ 07647-0914
(201) 767-4737
1 (800) 458-1552
Better Business Bureaus
Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) are non-profit organizations
sponsored by local businesses. BBBs offer a variety of consumer
services. For example, they can provide consumer education
materials, answer consumer questions, mediate and arbitrate
complaints, and provide general information on companies'
consumer complaint records.
Each BBB has its own policy about reporting information. It might
or might not tell you the nature of the complaints against a
business, but all will tell you if a complaint has been
registered. Many of the BBBs accept written complaints and will
contact a firm on your behalf. BBBs do not judge or rate
individual products or brands, handle complaints concerning the
prices of goods or services, or give legal advice. However, many
bureaus do offer binding arbitration, a form of dispute
resolution, to those who ask for it. If you need help with a
consumer question or complaint, call your local BBB to ask about
its services.
This list includes the local BBBs in the United States. The
Council of Better Business Bureaus can give you the addresses for
the BBBs in Canada.
National Headquarters
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 276-0100
Local Bureaus
Alabama
1210 South 20th Street
P.O. Box 55268 (35255-5268)
Birmingham, AL 35205
(205) 558-2222
102 Court Street, Suite 512
Florence, AL 35630
1 (800) 239-1642
501 Church Street, N.W.
P.O. Box 383 (35804-0383)
Huntsville, AL 35801-5549
(205) 533-1640 (24 hrs.)
707 Van Antwerp Building
Mobile, AL 36602-3221
(205) 433-5494
1 (800) 544-4714 (toll free-South Alabama)
60 Commerce Street
Suite 806
Montgomery, AL 36104-3559
(205) 262-5606
Alaska
2805 Bering Street, #2
Anchorage, AK 99503-3819
(907) 562-0704
Arizona
4428 North 12th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85014-4585
(602) 264-1721
50 W. Drachman Street, Suite 103
Tucson, AZ 85705-7353
(602) 622-7651 (inquiries)
(602) 622-7654 (complaints)
1 (800) 696-2827 (toll free-South Arizona only)
Arkansas
1415 South University
Little Rock, AR 72204-2605
(501) 664-7274
1 (800) 482-8448 (toll free in AR)
California
705 Eighteenth Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301-4882
(805) 322-2074
290 N. 10th Street, Suite 206
P.O. Box 970
Colton, CA 92324-0814
(900) 225-5222 ($.95/minute)
6101 Ball Road, Suite 309
Cypress, CA 90630-3966
(900) 225-5222 ($.95/minute)
1398 E. Indianapolis
Suite 102
Fresno, CA 93705-0341
(209) 222-8111
3400 West 6th Street, Suite 403
Los Angeles, CA 90020-2538
(900) 225-5222 ($.95/minute)
494 Alverado Street, Suite C
Monterey, CA 93940-2717
(408) 372-3149
510 16th Street, Suite 550
Oakland, CA 94612-1584
(510) 238-1000 (24 hours)
400 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95814-6997
(916) 443-6843
3111 Camino del Rio N. Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92108-1729
(619) 521-5898
33 New Montgomery Street, Suite 290
San Francisco, CA 94105-4506
(415) 243-9999
1530 Meridian Avenue
Suite 100
San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 445-3000
400 South El Camino Real, Suite 450
P.O. Box 294 (94401-0294)
San Mateo, CA 94402-1706
(415) 696-1240
402 East Carrillo Street, Suite C
P.O. Box 746
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-0746
(805) 963-8657
1111 North Center Street
Stockton, CA 95202-1383
(209) 948-4880
(209) 948-4881
(209) 577-3675 (Stanislaus)
Colorado
3022 North El Paso
P.O. Box 7970 (80933-7970)
Colorado Springs, CO 80907-5454
(719) 636-1155
1780 South Bellaire, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80222-4350
(303) 758-2100 (inquiries, 24 hours)
(303) 758-2212 (complaints)
(303) 758-4786 (TDD, 24 hours)
1730 South College Avenue
Suite 303
Fort Collins, CO 80525-1073
(303) 484-1348
(303) 493-2470
(307) 778-2809 (Cheyenne)
119 West 6th Street, Suite 203
Pueblo, CO 81003-3119
(719) 542-6464
Connecticut
2345 Black Rock Turnpike
P.O. Box 1410 (06430-1410)
Fairfield, CT 06430-3267
(203) 374-6161
(203) 798-7300 (Danbury)
(203) 853-0659 (Norwalk)
(203) 359-9892 (Stamford)
(203) 597-1177 (Waterbury)
100 South Turnpike Road
Wallingford, CT 06492-4395
(203) 269-2700
(203) 529-3575 (Hartford)
(203) 443-8145 (New London)
Delaware
2055 Limestone Road
Suite 200
Wilmington, DE 19808-5532
(302) 996-9200
District of Columbia
1012 14th Street, N.W.
14th Floor
Washington, DC 20005-3410
(202) 393-8000
Florida
In addition to the Better Business Bureaus, Florida has a number of
Better Business Councils which are affiliated with local Chambers
of Commerce throughout the state. The Better Business Councils are
listed following the Better Business Bureaus. Better Business
Bureaus
5830-142nd Avenue North, Suite B
P.O. Box 7950 (34618-7950)
Clearwater, FL 34620
(813) 842-5459 (Pasco City)
(813) 535-5522 (Pinellas County)
(813) 854-1154 (Hillsborough, Tampa)
(813) 957-0093 (Sarasota, Manatee)
1 (800) 525-1447 (toll free-Hernando only)
(all 24 hours)
1853 Victoria Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(900) 225-5222 (24 hrs.-$.95/min)
7820 Arlington Expressway
Suite 147
Jacksonville, FL 32211
(904) 721-2288
16291 N.W. 57th Avenue
Miami, FL 33014-6709
(900) 225-5222 (24 hrs.-$.95/min)
400 South Alcaniz Street
P.O. Box 1511 (32597-1511)
Pensacola, FL 32501
(904) 433-6111
1950 Port St. Lucie Blvd.
Suite 211
Port St. Lucie, FL 34954-5579
(407) 878-2010
(407) 337-2083
580 Village Blvd.
Suite 340
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(407) 686-2200
(407) 337-2083 (Martin County)
1011 North Wymore Road
Suite 204
Winter Park, FL 32789-1736 (Orlando)
(407) 621-3300 (24 hours)
Better Business Councils
P.O. Box 321
Bradenton, FL 34206-0321
(813) 748-1325 (Manatee County)
P.O. Box 640
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549-0640
(904) 664-2515 (Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties)
3520 Airport Road
Lakeland, FL 33811
(813) 644-2442 (Polk County)
P.O. Box 492426
Leesburg, FL 34749-2426
(904) 326-0770 (Lake and Sumter Counties)
400 Fortenberry Road
Merritt Island, FL 32952
(407) 459-2200 (Cocoa Beach)
12705 South Tamiami Trail
North Port, FL 34287
(813) 426-8744
4100 Dixie Highway, NE
Palm Bay, FL 32905
(407) 984-8454 (South Brevard County)
1819 Main Street, Suite 240
Sarasota, FL 34236
(813) 366-3144
P.O. Drawer 2767
Titusville, FL 32781-2767
(407) 268-2822 (North Brevard County)
257 Tamiami Trail, North
Venice, FL 34285-1534
(813) 485-3510
Georgia
611 N. Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 3241 808 (31702)
Albany, GA 31701
(912) 883-0744
100 Edgewood Avenue
Suite 1012
Atlanta, GA 30303-3075
(404) 688-4910
(615) 266-6144 (North Georgia-Chattanooga)
624 Ellis Street, Suite 106
P.O. Box 2085 (30903-2085)
Augusta, GA 30901-1463
(706) 722-1574
Eight 13th Street
P.O. Box 2587 (31902-2587)
Columbus, GA 31901-2151
(706) 324-0712
(706) 324-0713
1765 Shurling Drive
Macon, GA 31211-2199
(912) 742-7999
6606 Abercorn Street
Suite 108-C
P.O. Box 13956 (31416-0956)
Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 354-7521
(912) 354-7522
Hawaii
1600 Kapiolani Boulevard
Suite 201
Honolulu, HI 96814-3801
(808) 942-2355
Idaho
1333 West Jefferson
Boise, ID 83702-5320
(208) 342-4649
1575 South Boulevard
Idaho Falls, ID 83404-5926
(208) 523-9754
Illinois
211 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-1217
(312) 444-1188 (inquiries)
(312) 346-3313 (complaints)
3024 West Lake
Peoria, IL 61615-3770
(309) 688-3741
810 East State Street, 3rd Floor
Rockford, IL 61104-1001
(815) 963-2222
Indiana
722 West Bristol Street
Suite H-2
P.O. Box 405 (46515-0405)
Elkhart, IN 46514-2988
(219) 262-8996
4004 Morgan Avenue
Suite 201
Evansville, IN 47715-2265
(812) 473-0202
(812) 473-1425
1203 Webster Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802-3493
(219) 423-4423
1 (800) 552-4631 (toll free in IN)
4231 Cleveland Street
Gary, IN 46408-2490
(219) 980-1511
(219) 769-8053
1 (800) 637-2118 (toll free in Northern Indiana)
Victoria Centre
22 E. Washington Street
Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3584
(317) 488-2222
201 Dixie Way North, Suite 30
South Bend, IN 46637-3360
(219) 277-9121
1 (800) 439-5313 (toll free in northern IN)
Iowa
852 Middle Road, Suite 290
Bettendorf, IA 52722-4100
(319) 355-6344
615 Insurance Exchange Building
Des Moines, IA 50309-2375
(515) 243-8137
318 Badgerow Building
Sioux City, IA 51101-1611
(712) 252-4501
Kansas
501 E. Jefferson, Suite 24
Topeka, KS 66607-1190
(913) 232-0454
212 South Market Street
Suite 300
Wichita, KS 67202-3857
(316) 263-3146
Kentucky
410 West Vine Street
Suite 280
Lexington, KY 40507-1616
(606) 259-1008
844 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40203-2186
(502) 583-6546 (24 hours)
1 (800) 388-2222 (toll free in KY and Southern IN)
Louisiana
1605 Murray Street, Suite 117
Alexandria, LA 71301-6875
(318) 473-4494
2055 Wooddale Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806-1546
(504) 926-3010
1626 Barrow Street
Houma, LA 70360-6354
(504) 868-3456
100 Huggins Road
P.O. Box 30297 (70593-0297)
Lafayette, LA 70506
(318) 981-3497
3941-L Ryan Street
P.O. Box 7314 (70606-7314)
Lake Charles, LA 70605
(318) 478-6253
141 Desiard Street, Suite 808
Monroe, LA 71201-7380
(318) 387-4600
1539 Jackson Avenue
Suite 400
New Orleans, LA 70130-5843
(504) 581-6222 (24 hours)
(504) 528-9277
3612 Youree Drive
Shreveport, LA 71105-2122
(318) 861-6417
Maine
812 Stevens Avenue
Portland, ME 04103-2648
(207) 878-2715
Maryland
2100 Huntingdon Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211-3215
(410) 347-3990 (Inquiries)
(410) 347-3997 (Complaints)
Massachusetts
20 Park Plaza, Suite 820
Boston, MA 02116-4344
(617) 426-9000
1 (800) 4BBB-811 (toll free-802 area code)
293 Bridge Street, Suite 320
Springfield, MA 01103-1402
(413) 734-3114
32 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 16555 (01601-6555)
Worchester, MA 01608-1900
(508) 755-2548
Michigan
620 Trust Building
Grand Rapids, MI 4503-3001
(616) 774-8236
(616) 772-6063 (Holland)
(616) 382-4616 (Kalamazoo)
(616) 722-0707 (Muskegon)
30555 Southfield Road
Suite 200
Southfield, MI 48076-7751 (Detroit)
(810) 644-9100 (24 hours)
Minnesota
2706 Gannon Road
St. Paul, MN 55116-2600
(612) 699-1111
Mississippi
4915 I-75 North
P.O. Box 12745 (39236-2745)
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 987-8282
Missouri
306 E. 12th street, Suite 1024
Kansas City, MO 64106-2418
(816) 421-7800
5100 Oakland, Suite 200
St. Louis, MO 63110-1400
(314) 531-3300 (24 hours)
205 Park Central East
Suite 509
Springfield, MO 65806-1326
(417) 862-4222
1 (800) 497-4222 (toll free in southwestern Missouri)
Nebraska
3633 O Street, Suite 1
Lincoln, NE 68510-1670
(402) 476-8855
2210 North 91st Plaza
Omaha, NE 68134-6022
(402) 391-7612
Nevada
1022 East Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89104-1515
(702) 735-6900
991 Bible Way
P.O. Box 21269 (89515-1269)
Reno, NV 89502
(702) 322-0657
New Hampshire
410 South Main Street
Concord, NH 03301-3459
(603) 224-1991
(603) 228-3789
(603) 228-3844
New Jersey
2 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652-5291
(201) 845-4044
2 Sylvan Way, 3rd Floor
Parsippany, NJ 07054
(Newark)
(201) 642-INFO
1721 Route 37 East
Toms River, NJ 08753-8239
(908) 270-5577
1700 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square, #D-5
Trenton, NJ 08690-3596
(609) 588-0808
16 Maple Avenue
P.O. Box 303
Westmont, NJ 08108-0303
(609) 854-8467
New Mexico
2625 Pennsylvania, NE
Suite 2050
Albuquerque, NM 87110-3657
(505) 844-0500
1 (800) 873-2224 (toll free in NM)
308 North Locke
Farmington, NM 87401-5855
(505) 326-6501
201 N. Church, Suite 330
Las Cruces, NM 88001-3548
(505) 524-3130
New York
346 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202-1899
(900) 225-5222 (24 hr.-$.95/min)
266 Main Street
Farmingdale, NY 87401-5855
1 (900) 463-6222 (24 hr.- $.95/min.)
257 Park Avenue, South
New York, NY 10010-7384
1 (900) 463-6222 (24 hr.- $.95/min.)
847 James Street, Suite 200
Syracuse, NY 13202-2552
(315) 479-6635
30 Glenn Street
White Plains, NY 10603-3213
1 (900) 463-6222 (24 hr.-$.95/min.)
North Carolina
1200 BB&T Building
Asheville, NC 28801-3418
(704) 253-2392
5200 Park Road, Suite 202
Charlotte, NC 28209-3650
(704) 527-0012 (24 hours)
3608 West Friendly Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27410-4895
(919) 852-4240 (24 hours)
3125 Poplarwood Court
Suite 308
Raleigh, NC 27604-1080
(919) 872-9240
1 (800) 222-0950 (toll free in Eastern North Carolina)
Eden Place
8366 Drena Drive
P.O. Box 69 (28673-0069)
Sherrils Ford, NC 28673
(704) 478-5622
500 West 5th Street, Suite 202
Winston-Salem, NC 27101-2728
(910) 725-8348
Ohio
222 W. Market Street
Akron, OH 44303-2111
(216) 253-4590
1434 Cleveland Avenue, N.W.
P.O. Box 8017 (44711-8017)
Canton, OH 44703-3135
(216) 454-9401
1 (800) 362-0494 (toll free in OH)
898 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202-2097
(513) 421-3015
2217 East 9th Street, Suite 200
Cleveland, OH 44115-1299
(216) 241-7678
1335 Dublin Street, Suite 30A
Columbus, OH 43215-1000
(614) 486-6336
40 West Fourth Street
Suite 1250
Dayton, OH 45402-1828
(513) 222-5825
112N, West High Street (45801)
P.O. Box 269
Lima, OH 45802-0269
(419) 223-7010
1 (800) 462-0468 (toll free)
425 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 909
Toledo, OH 43604-1055
(419) 241-6276
600 Mahoning Bank Building
P.O. Box 1495
Youngstown, OH 44501-1495
(216) 744-3111
(216) 424-5522 (Lisbon)
(216) 394-0628 (Warren)
Oklahoma
17 South Dewey
Oklahoma City, OK 73102-2400
(405) 239-6081/6860 (inquiries)
(405) 239-6083 (complaints)
(405) 239-6082 (general information)
6711 South Yale, Suite 230
Tulsa, OK 74136-3327
(918) 492-1266
Oregon
610 S.W. Alder Street, Suite 615
Portland, OR 97205-3690
(503) 226-3981
1 (800) 488-4166 (toll free in OR and Southwest Washington)
Pennsylvania
528 North New Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018-5789
(215) 866-8780
(215) 372-2005 (Berks County)
6 Marion Court
Lancaster, PA 17602-5205
(717) 291-1151
1 (800) 220-8032 (toll free in Harrisburg & York County)
1930 Chestnut Street
P.O. Box 2297
Philadelphia, PA 19103-0297
1 (900) 225-5222 (24 hr.-$.95/min.)
610 Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2578
(412) 456-2700
129 N. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 993 (18501-0993)
Scranton, PA 18503-2204
(717) 342-9129
(717) 655-0445
Puerto Rico
1608 Bori Street (00927-6100)
P.O. Box 363488
San Juan, PR 00936-3488
(809) 756-5400
Rhode Island
Bureau Park
Box 1300
Warwick, RI 02887-1300 (Providence)
(401) 785-1212 (inquiries)
(401) 785-1213 (complaints)
South Carolina
2330 Devine Street (29205)
P.O. Box 8326
Columbia, SC 29202-8326
(803) 254-2525
113 Mills Avenue
Greenville, SC 29605-4077
(803) 242-5052
1601 North Oak Street, Suite 403
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-1601
(803) 626-6881
Tennessee
P.O. Box 1178 TCA, #121
Blountville, TN 37617-1178
(615) 323-6311
1010 Market Street, Suite 200
Chattanooga, TN 37402-2614
(615) 266-6144
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 2
P.O. Box 10327 (37939-0327)
Knoxville, TN 37919
(615) 522-2552
3792 South Mendenhall
P.O. Box 750704 (38175-0704)
Memphis, TN 38115
(901) 795-8771 (24 hours)
NationsBank Plaza
414 Union Street, Suite 1830
Nashville, TN 37219-1778
(615) 242-4222 (24 hours)
Texas
3300 S. 14th Street
Suite 307
Abilene, TX 79605-5052
(915) 691-1533
1000 South Polk
P.O. Box 1905 (79105-1905)
Amarillo, TX 79101-3408
(806) 379-6222
2101 So. IH35, Suite 302
Austin, TX 78741-3854
(512) 445-2911 (24 hours)
476 Oakland Avenue
P.O. Box 2988 (77704-2988)
Beaumont, TX 77701-2011
(409) 835-5348
4346 Carter Creek Parkway
Bryan, TX 77802-4413
(409) 260-2222
216 Park Avenue
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
(512) 887-4949
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 850
Dallas, TX 75201-3093
(214) 220-2000 (24 hours)
5160 Montana Avenue
Lower Level
El Paso, TX 79903-4904
(915) 772-2727
1612 Summit Avenue, Suite 260
Fort Worth, TX 76102-5978
(817) 332-7585 (24 hours)
2707 North Loop West
Suite 400
Houston, TX 77008-1085
(713) 868-9500 (24 hours)
1206 14th Street, Suite 901
Lubbock, TX 79401-3922
(806) 763-0459 (24 hours)
10100 County Road, 118 West
P.O. Box 60206
Midland, TX 79711-0206
(915) 563-1880
1 (800) 592-4433 (toll free in TX)
3121 Executive Drive
P.O. Box 3366 (76902-3366)
San Angelo, TX 76904
(915) 949-2989
1800 Northeast Loop 41
Suite 400
San Antonio, TX 78217-5296
(210) 828-9441
3600 Old Bullard Road, Suite 103A
P.O. Box 6652 (75711-6652)
Tyler, TX 75701
(903) 581-5704
6801 Sanger Avenue, Suite 125
P.O. Box 7203 (76714-7203)
Waco, TX 76710
(817) 772-7530
609 International Boulevard
P.O. Box 69
Weslaco, TX 78599-0069
(210) 968-3678
1106 Brook Avenue
Wichita Falls, TX 76301-5079
(817) 723-5526
1 (800) 388-1778 (toll free)
Utah
1588 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84115-5382
(801) 487-4656 (24 hours)
1 (800) 456-3907 (toll free in UT)
Vermont
20 Park Plaza, Suite 820
Boston, MA 02116-4344
(617) 426-9000
1 (800) 4BBB-811 (toll free in 802 area code)
Virginia
11903 Main Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
(703) 373-9872
3608 Tidewater Drive
Norfolk, VA 23509-1499
(804) 672-5651
(804) 722-9101 (Peninsula area)
701 East Franklin, Suite 712
Richmond, VA 23219-2332
(804) 648-0016 (24 hours)
31 West Campbell Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24011-1301
(703) 342-3455
Washington
401 N. Union, Suite 105
Kennewick, WA 99336-3819
(509) 783-0892
4800 South 188th Street, Suite 105
P.O. Box 68926 (98168-0926)
Seatac, WA 98188
(206) 431-2222
(206) 448-6222 (24 hours)
East 123 Indiana, Suite 106
Spokane, WA 99207-2356
(509) 328-2100
222 Washington Mutual Bldg.
P.O. Box 1584 (98907-1584)
Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 248-1326
Wisconsin
740 North Plankinton Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53203-2478
(414) 273-1600 (inquiries)
(414) 273-0123 (complaints)
Trade Association and Other Resolution Programs
Companies that manufacture similar products or offer similar
services often belong to industry associations. These
associations help resolve problems between their member companies
and consumers.
Depending on the industry, you might have to contact an
association, service council or consumer action program.
If you have a problem with a company and cannot get it resolved
with the company, ask if the company is a member of an
association. Then, check this list to see if the association is
listed. If the name of the association is not included on this
list, check with a local library.
This list includes the names and addresses of the associations and
other dispute resolution programs that handle consumer
complaints for their members. In some cases, the national
organizations listed here can refer you to dispute resolution
programs near you.
These programs are usually called alternative dispute resolution
programs. Generally, there are three types of programs:
arbitration, conciliation and mediation. All three methods of
dispute resolution vary. Ask for a copy of the rules of the
program before you file your case. Generally, the decisions of the
arbitrators are binding and must be accepted by both the customer
and the business. However, in other forms of dispute resolution,
only the business is required to accept the decision. In some
programs, decisions are not binding on either party. Remember,
before contacting one of these programs, try to resolve the
complaint by contacting the company.
Ms. Joan McNeel, Director
Public Relations
American Apparel Manufacturers Association
2500 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 301
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 524-1864
Ms. Karen Holt
Public Relations Coordinator
American Arbitration Association
140 West 51st Street
New York, NY 10020-1203
(212) 484-4006
American Bar Association
Section on Dispute Resolution
1800 M Street, N.W., Suite 790
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 331-2258
Mr. John W. Johnson
Executive Vice President
American Collectors Association
P.O. Box 39106
Minneapolis, MN 55439-0106
(612) 926-6547
Communications Department
American Council of Life Insurance
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004-2599
1 (800) 942-4242 (toll free-8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST, M-F )
Ms. Jane Marden, Director,
Consumer and Community Affairs
American Gas Association
1515 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 841-8583
American Health Care Association
1201 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-4014
(202) 842-4444
1 (800) 321-0343 (toll free--publications only)
American Hotel and Motel Association
1201 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005-3931
(written inquiries only)
Mr. Herbert A. Finkston, Director
Professional Ethics Division
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza III
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3881
(201) 938-3175
American Orthotic and
Prosthetic Association
1650 King Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314-1885
(703) 836-7116
Mr. Ray Greenly, Vice President
Consumer Affairs
American Society of Travel Agents, Inc.
1101 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-2782
Mr. James A. Morrissey, Director
Communications Division
American Textile Manufacturers Institute
1801 K Street, N.W., Suite 900
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 862-0552
Automotive Consumer Action Program (AUTOCAP)
8400 Westpark Drive
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 821-7144
BBB AUTO LINE
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1804
1 (800) 955-5100 (toll free)
Better Hearing Institute
P.O. Box 1840
Washington, DC 20013
(703) 642-0580
1 (800) EAR-WELL (toll free)
Consumer Affairs
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
1310 G Street, N.W., 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 626-4780
Ms. Caroline C. Ajootian
Director, Consumer Protection Bureau
Boat Owners Association of The United States
Boat/U.S.
880 South Pickett Street
Alexandria, VA 22304-0730
(703) 823-9550
Career College Association Accrediting Commission for Trade and
Technical Schools
Accrediting Commission for Independent Colleges and Schools 750
First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 336-6700
(written inquiries only)
Ms. Sarah Hicks
Director of Public Relations
Carpet and Rug Institute
Box 2048
Dalton, GA 30722
(written inquiries only)
Mr. Robert M. Fells, Assistant Secretary
Cemetery Consumer Service Council
P.O. Box 3574
Washington, DC 20007
(703) 379-6426
Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU)
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
845 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 754-1354
Chrysler Corporation
Chrysler Customer Center
12000 Chrysler Drive
Highland Park, MI 48288-0001
1 (800) 992-1997 (toll free)
Consumer Insurance Interest Group
400 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Department of Defense
Office of National Ombudsman
National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
1555 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22209-2405
(703) 696-1391
1 (800) 336-4590 (toll free outside DC)
Ms. Marsha Goldberger, Director
Ethics and Consumer Affairs
Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
1101 17th Street, N.W., Suite 705
Washington, DC 20037
(written complaints only)
Mr. William Rogal
Code Administrator
Direct Selling Association
1776 K Street, N.W., Suite 600
Washington, DC 20006-2387
(written inquiries only)
Ford Dispute Settlement Board
P.O. Box 5120
Southfield, MI 48086-5120
1 (800) 392-3673 (toll free)
Ms. Carole M. Rogin, President
Hearing Industries Association
515 King Street, Suite 320
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-5744
Ms. Jeanne Salvatore
Manager, Public Relations & Consumer Affairs
Insurance Information Institute
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038
1 (800) 942-4242 (toll free)
National Headquarters
International Association for Financial Planning
2 Concourse Parkway, Suite 800
Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 395-1605
Major Appliance Consumer Action Panel (MACAP)
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 984-5858
1 (800) 621-0477 (toll free)
Media Advertising Credit Services
11600 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22091-1412
(703) 648-1248
Mr. Edward E. Simmons, Jr., CAE
Executive Vice President
Monument Builders of North America
1740 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
(708) 869-2031
Mr. Michael Schlerf
Media Relations Coordinator/Consumer Affairs
Mortgage Bankers Association of America
1125 15th Street, N.W., 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 861-1929
National Advertising Division (NAD)
A Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. 845
Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(212) 754-1320
Mr. William Young, Director
Consumer Affairs/Public Liaison
National Association of Home Builders
1201 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 822-0409
1 (800) 368-5242 (toll free outside D.C.)
National Association of Personnel Services
3133 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
(703) 684-0180
Ms. Katherine L.J. Hoffman
Associate Director of Consumer Affairs
National Association of Professional Insurance Agents
400 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Arbitration Department
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
33 Whitehall Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10004
(212) 858-4000
Mrs. Juanita Duggan, Senior Vice President
Government Affairs
National Food Processors Association
1401 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 639-5939
Ms. Laura M. Oatney
Director, Public Affairs & Education
National Futures Association
200 West Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60606-3447
(312) 781-1370
1 (800) 621-3570 (toll free outside IL)
Ms. Cindy Donahue
Assistant to Executive Director
National Home Study Council
1601 18th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
(written inquiries only)
National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association
1250 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 789-2300
1 (800) 876-8372 (toll free)
Department of Consumer Affairs
National Turkey Federation
11319 Sunset Hills Road
Reston, VA 22090-5227
(written inquiries only)
Mr. Craig Halverson
Assistant Executive Director
Photo Marketing Association
3000 Picture Place
Jackson, MI 49201
(written complaints only)
Mrs. Jane Meyer
Director of Consumer Affairs
The Soap and Detergent Association
475 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
(212) 725-1262
Tele-Consumer Hotline
1910 K Street, N.W., Suite 610
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 223-4371 (voice/TDD)
Ms. Marisa Cascio
Communications Associate
Toy Manufacturers of America
200 Fifth Avenue, Room 740
New York, NY 10010
(212) 675-1141
Mr. Robert E. Whitley, President
U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
211 East 51st Street, Suite 12-B
New York, NY 10022
(212) 944-5727
State, County and City Government Consumer Protection Offices
City, county and state consumer protection offices provide
consumers with important services. They might mediate
complaints, conduct investigations, prosecute offenders of
consumer laws, license and regulate a variety of professionals,
promote strong consumer protection legislation, provide
educational materials and advocate in the consumer interest. City
and county consumer offices are familiar with local
businesses and local ordinances and state laws. If there is no
local consumer office in your area, contact your state consumer
office. State offices, sometimes in a separate department of
consumer affairs or the attorney general's or governor's office,
are familiar with state laws and look for statewide patters of
problems. Consumer protection offices in the U.S. territories also
are included. If you have a consumer problem with a business
outside the state where you live, you should contact the consumer
office in the state where the business is located.
To save time, call the office before sending in a written
complaint. Ask if the office handles the type of complaint you
have or if the complaint forms are provided.
Many offices distribute consumer alerts on a variety of consumer
issues. Call to obtain available educational information on your
problem.
This list is arranged in alphabetical order by state name. State,
county and city jurisdictions and "800" and TDD numbers are printed
in bold type.
Alabama
State Office
Ms. Priscilla Black Duncan
Consumer Affairs Division
Office of Attorney General
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(205) 242-7334
1 (800) 392-5658 (toll free in AL)
Alaska
The Consumer Protection Section in the Office of the Attorney
General has been closed. Consumers with complaints are being
referred to the Better Business Bureau (see page XX), small claims
court and private attorneys.
American Samoa
Ms. Jennifer Joneson
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Bureau
P.O. Box 7
Pago Pago, AS 96799
011 (684) 633-4163
011 (684) 633-1838 (FAX)
Arizona
State Offices
Ms. H. Leslie Hall, Chief Counsel
Consumer Protection
Office of the Attorney General
1275 West Washington Street, Room 259
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-3702
(602) 542-5763
(consumer information and complaints)
1 (800) 352-8431 (toll free in AZ)
Ms. Noreen Matts
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection
Office of the Attorney General
402 West Congress Street, Suite 315
Tucson, AZ 85701
(602) 628-6504
County Offices
Mr. Stephen Udall, County Attorney
Apache County Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 637
St. Johns, AZ 85936
(602) 337-4364, ext. 240
Mr. Alan Polley, County Attorney
Cochise County Attorney's Office
P.O. Drawer CA
Bisbee, AZ 85603
(602) 432-9377
Mr. Terence C. Hance, County Attorney
Coconino County Attorney's Office
Coconino County Courthouse
100 East Birch
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(602) 779-6518
Mr. Joe Albo, Jr., County Attorney
Gila County Attorney's Office
1400 East Ash Street
Globe, AZ 85501
(602) 425-3231
Mr. Jack M. Williams, County Attorney
Graham County Attorney's Office
Graham County Courthouse
800 West Main
Safford, AZ 85546
(602) 428-3620
Mr. Dennis L. Lusk, County Attorney
Greenlee County Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 1717
Clifton, AZ 85533
(602) 865-4108
Mr. Steven P. Suskin, County Attorney
La Paz County Attorney's Office
1200 Arizona Avenue
P.O. Box 709
Parker, AZ 85344
(602) 669-6118
Mr. William Ekstrom, County Attorney
Mohave County Attorney's Office
315 North 4th Street
P.O. Box 7000
Kingman, AZ 86402-7000
(602) 753-0719
Mr. Melvin Bowers, County Attorney
Navajo County Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 668
Holbrook, AZ 86025
(602) 524-6161, ext. #303
Mr. Stephen D. Neely, County Attorney
Pima County Attorney's Office
1400 Great American Tower
32 North Stone
Tucson, AZ 85701
(602) 740-5733
Mr. Gilberto V. Figueroa
Pinal County Attorney
P.O. Box 887
Florence, AZ 85232
(602) 868-6271
Ms. Jan Smith Florez, County Attorney
Santa Cruz County Attorney's Office
2100 N. Congress Drive, Suite 201
Nogales, AZ 85621
(602) 281-4966
Mr. Charles Hastings, County Attorney
Yavapai County Attorney's Office
Yavapai County Courthouse
Prescott, AZ 86301
(602) 771-3344
Mr. David S. Ellsworth, County Attorney
Yuma County Attorney's Office
168 South Second Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85364
(602) 329-2270
City Office
Mr. Ronald M. Detrick
Supervising Attorney
Consumer Affairs Division
Tucson City Attorney's Office
110 East Pennington Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 27210
Tucson, AZ 85726-7210
(602) 791-4886
Arkansas
State Office
Ms. Kay Dewitt, Director
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
200 Tower Building
323 Center Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 682-2341 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 482-8982
(toll free voice/TDD in AR)
California
State Offices
Mr. James Conran, Director
California Department of Consumer Affairs
400 R Street, Suite 1040
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-1254 (consumer information)
(916) 522-1700 (TDD)
1 (800) 344-9940 (toll free in CA)
Office of Attorney General
Public Inquiry Unit
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
(916) 322-3360
1 (800) 952-5225 (toll free in CA)
1 (800) 952-5548 (toll free TDD in CA)
Bureau of Automotive Repair
California Department of Consumer Affairs
10240 Systems Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95827
(916) 255-4300
1 (800) 952-5210
(toll free in CA--auto repair only)
County Offices
Alameda County Consumer Affairs Commission
4400 MacArthur Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 530-8682
Mr. Gary Yancey, District Attorney
Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office
725 Court Street, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 670
Martinez, CA 94553
(510) 646-4500
Mr. Alan Yengoyan
Senior Deputy District Attorney
Business Affairs Unit
Fresno County District Attorney's Office
2220 Tulare Street, Suite 1000
Fresno, CA 93721
(209) 488-3156
(209) 488-3564 (FAX)
Mr. Edward R. Jagels, District Attorney
Civil Section
Kern County District Attorney's Office
1215 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(805) 861-2421
Mr. Monty H. Hopper, Director
Kern County Department of Weights and Measures
1116 E. California Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93307
(805) 861-2418
Marin County Mediation Services
Marin County Civic Center, Room 278
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 499-7454
Mr. Robert Nichols
Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Protection Division
Marin County District Attorney's Office
Hall of Justice, Room 183
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 499-6450
Ms. Susan Massini, District Attorney
Mendocino County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 1000
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4211
Monterey County District Attorney
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 1369
Salinas, CA 93902
(408) 755-5073
Mr. Daryl A. Roberts
Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Affairs Division
Napa County District Attorney's Office
931 Parkway Mall
P.O. Box 720
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 253-4211
Mr. Robert C. Gannon, Jr.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney
Consumer/Environmental Protection Unit
405 W. 5th Street, Suite 606
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 568-1240
Mr. Paul Zellerbach
Deputy District Attorney
Economic Crime Division
Riverside County District Attorney's Office
4075 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(714) 275-5400
Mr. M. Scott Prentice
Supervising Deputy District Attorney
Consumer and Environmental Protection Division
Sacramento County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 749
Sacramento, CA 95812-0749
(916) 440-6174
Mr. Anthony Samson, Director
Consumer Fraud Division
San Diego County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box X-1011
San Diego, CA 92112-4192
(619) 531-3507 (fraud complaint message line)
Mr. Robert H. Perez, Attorney
Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit
San Francisco County District Attorney's Office
732 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-6400 (public inquiries)
(415) 553-1814 (complaints)
Ms. Lorrie Rogers
Consumer Mediator
San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office
222 East Weber, Room 412
P.O. Box 990
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 468-2481
Ms. Leigh Lawrence
Director, Economic Crime Unit
Consumer Fraud Department
County Government Center
1050 Monterey Street, Room 235
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 781-5856
Mr. John E. Wilson, Deputy in Charge
Consumer Fraud and Environmental Protection Unit
San Mateo County District Attorney's Office
401 Marshall Street
Hall of Justice and Records
Redwood City, CA 94063
(415) 363-4656
Mr. Allan Kaplan, Senior Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Protection Unit
Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office
1105 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 568-2300
Consumer Fraud Unit
Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office
70 West Hedding Street, West Wing
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 299-7400
Mr. Lawrence R. Sheahan, Coordinator
Santa Clara County Department of Consumer Affairs
70 West Hedding Street
West Wing, Lower Level
San Jose, CA 95110-1705
(408) 299-4211
Ms. Robin McFarland Gysin
Ms. Gloria Lorenzo
Coordinators, Division of Consumer Affairs
Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office
701 Ocean Street, Room 200
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(408) 454-2050
Ms. Criselda B. Gonzalez
Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Affairs Unit
Solano County District Attorney's Office
600 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-6860
Mr. Thomas Quinlan
Deputy District Attorney
Consumer Fraud Unit
Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 442
Modesto, CA 95353-0442
(209) 525-5550
Mr. Greg Brose, Deputy District Attorney
Consumer and Environmental Protection Division
Ventura County District Attorney's Office
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
(805) 654-3110
Mr. Mark Jerome Jones
Supervising Deputy District Attorney
Special Services Unit-Consumer/Environmental
Yolo County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 245
Woodland, CA 95776
(916) 666-8424
City Offices
Ms. Ruth Kwan
Supervising Deputy City Attorney
Consumer Protection Division
Los Angeles City Attorney's Office
200 North Main Street
1600 City Hall East
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 485-4515
Ms. Kimery A. Shelton
Deputy City Attorney
Ms. Teresa Bransfield
Consumer Affairs Specialist
Consumer Protection, Fair Housing & Public Rights Unit
1685 Main Street. Room 310
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8336
(310) 458-8370 (Spanish hotline)
Colorado
State Office
Consumer Protection Unit
Office of Attorney General
1525 Sherman St., 5th Floor
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 866-5189
County Offices
Mr. Gregory G. Lyman, District Attorney
Archuleta, LaPlata and San Juan Counties
District Attorney's Office
P.O. Drawer 3455
Durango, CO 81302
(303) 247-8850
Mr. Alex Hunter, District Attorney
Boulder County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306
(303) 441-3700
Ms. Clair Villano, Director
Denver District Attorney's Consumer Fraud Division
303 West Colfax Avenue, Suite 1300
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 640-3555 (administration)
(303) 640-3557 (complaints)
Mr. David Zook
Chief Deputy District Attorney
Economic Crime Division
El Paso and Teller Counties District Attorney's Office
326 South Tejon
Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2083
(719) 520-6002
Mr. Gus Sandstrom, District Attorney
Pueblo County District Attorney's Office
Courthouse
215 West Tenth Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
(719) 546-6030
Mr. A.M. Dominguez, Jr., District Attorney
Mr. Tony Molocznik, Chief Investigator
Weld County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 1167
Greeley, CO 80632
(303) 356-4010
Connecticut
State Offices
Ms. Gloria Schaffer, Commissioner
Department of Consumer Protection
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
(203) 566-2534
1 (800) 842-2649 (toll free in CT)
Mr. Robert M. Langer
Assistant Attorney General
Antitrust/Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
110 Sherman Street
Hartford, CT 06105
(203) 566-5374
City Office
Mr. Philip P. Cacciola, Director
Middletown Office of Consumer Protection
City Hall
Middletown, CT 06457
(203) 344-3492
Delaware
State Offices
Ms. Mary McDonough, Director
Division of Consumer Affairs
Department of Community Affairs
820 North French Street, 4th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 577-3250
Mr. Stuart Drowos, Deputy Attorney General for Economic Crime and
Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 577-2500
District of Columbia
Mr. Hampton Cross, Acting Director
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
614 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-7120
Florida
State Offices
Ms. Karen K. MacFarland, Director
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Consumer Services
407 South Calhoun Street
Mayo Building, 2nd Floor
Tallahasee, FL 32399-0800
(904) 488-2221
1 (800) 435-7352 (toll free in FL)
Mr. Jack A. Norris, Jr., Chief
Consumer Litigation Section
4000 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 505-South
Hollywood, FL 33021
(305) 985-4780
Ms. Mona Fandel, Bureau Chief
Consumer Division
Office of Attorney General
4000 Hollywood Boulevard
Suite 505-South
Hollywood, FL 33021
(305) 985-4780
County Offices
Mr. Stanley A. Kaufman, Director
Broward County Consumer Affairs Division
201 S. Andrews Avenue, Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(305) 765-5355
Mr. Leonard Elias, Consumer Advocate
Metropolitan Dade County
Consumer Protection Division
140 West Flagler Street, Suite 902
Miami, FL 33130
(305) 375-4222
Mr. Frederic A. Kerstein, Chief
Dade County Economic Crime Unit
Office of State Attorney
1350 N.W. 12th Avenue, 5th Floor
Graham Building
Miami, FL 33136
(305) 547-0671
Ms. Jeanette LaRussa Fenton, Director
Hillsborough County Commerce Dept.
Office of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 1110
Tampa, FL 33601
(813) 272-6750
Mr. Larry F. Blalock, Chief
Orange County Consumer Fraud Unit
250 North Orange Avenue
P.O. Box 1673
Orlando, FL 32802
(407) 836-2490
Citizens Intake
Office of the State Attorney
401 N. Dixie Highway, Ste. #1600
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(407) 355-7108
Mr. Lawrence Breeden, Director
Palm Beach County Division of Consumer Affairs
3111 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 128
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(407) 355-2670
Mr. Alfred J. Cortis, Administrator
Pasco County Consumer Affairs Division
7530 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654
(813) 847-8110
Mr. William H. Richards, Director
Pinellas County Office of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 17268
Clearwater, FL 34622-0268
(813) 464-6200
City Offices
Mr. Eric C. Green
Chief of Consumer Affairs
City of Jacksonville
Division of Consumer Affairs
421 W. Church Street, Suite 404
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 630-3667
Mr. Al Dezure, Chairperson
Lauderhill Consumer Protection Board
1176 N.W. 42nd Way
Lauderhill, FL 33313
(305) 321-2456
Mr. Fred Adler, Chairman
Tamarac Board of Consumer Affairs
7525 N.W. 88th Avenue
Tamarac, FL 33321
(305) 722-5900, ext. 389
(Monday - Thursday-10 a.m. to Noon)
Georgia
State Office
Mr. Barry W. Reid, Administrator
Governors Office of Consumer Affairs
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E.
Plaza Level-East Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 651-8600
(404) 656-3790
1 (800) 869-1123 (toll free in GA)
Hawaii
State Offices
Mr. Philip Doi, Director
Office of Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
828 Fort St. Mall, Suite 600B
P.O. Box 3767
Honolulu, HI 96812-3767
(808) 586-2636
Mr. Gene Murayama, Investigator
Office of Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
75 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 933-4433
Mr. Glenn Ikemoto, Investigator
Office of Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
3060 Eiwa Street
Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 241-3365
Ms. Pamela LaVarre, Investigator
Office of Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
54 High Street
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 243-5387
Idaho
State Office
Mr. Brett De Lange
Deputy Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Unit
Statehouse, Room 119
Boise, ID 83720-1000
(208) 334-2424
1 (800) 432-3545 (toll free in ID)
Illinois
State Offices
Governors Office of Citizens Assistance
222 South College
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0244
1 (800) 642-3112 (toll free in IL)
(Only handles problems related to state government)
Ms. Patricia Kelly, Chief
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
100 West Randolph, 12th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-3000
(312) 793-2852 (TDD)
Ms. Kathryn Patterson, Director
Department of Citizen Advocacy
100 West Randolph, 13th Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-3289
(312) 814-3374 (TDD)
Regional Offices
Mr. Anthony Dyhrkopp
Assistant Attorney General
Carbondale Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
626A East Walnut Street
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-3505
(618) 457-4421 (TDD)
Ms. Regina Haasis
Assistant Attorney General
Champaign Regional Office
34 East Main Street
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-7691 (voice/TDD)
Mr. Michael F. Daniels
Assistant Attorney General
East St. Louis Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
8712 State Street
East St. Louis, IL 62203
(618) 398-1006
(618) 398-1009 (TDD)
Mr. Dennis Orsey
Assistant Attorney General
Granite City Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
1314 Niedringhaus
Granite City, IL 62040
(618) 877-0404
Mr. Tony L. Brasel
Assistant Attorney General
Kankakee Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
1012 North 5th Avenue
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 935-8500
Ms. Cynthia Tracy
Assistant Attorney General
LaSalle Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
1222 Shooting Park Rd., Suite 106
Peru, IL 61354
(815) 224-4861
(815) 224-4864 (TDD)
Mt. Vernon Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
3405 Broadway
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864
(618) 242-8200 (voice/TDD)
Peoria Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
323 Main Street
Peoria, IL 61602
(309) 671-3191
(309) 671-3089 (TDD)
Quincy Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
523 Maine Street
Quincy, IL 62301
(217) 223-2221 (voice/TDD)
Mr. Joseph Bruscato
Director, Assistant Attorney General
Rockford Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
119 North Church Street
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-7580
(815) 987-7579 (TDD)
Mr. Marvin S. Andich
Assistant Attorney General
Rock Island Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
1710 3rd Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 793-0950
(309) 793-6839 (FAX)
(309) 793-0953 (TDD)
Ms. Deborah Hagan
Assistant Attorney General and Chief
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
500 South Second Street
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-9020
1 (800) 252-8666 (toll free in IL)
Ms. Elizabeth Yore
Assistant Attorney General
Waukegan Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
12 South County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
(708) 336-2207
(708) 336-2374 (TDD)
Mr. Michael Pasko
Assistant Attorney General
West Frankfort Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
607 West Oak Street
West Frankfort, IL 62896
(618) 937-6421
Ms. Colleen McLaughlin
Assistant Attorney General
Dupage Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
122A County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(708) 653-5060 (voice/TDD)
County Offices
Mr. Raymond Threlkeld, Supervisor
Consumer Fraud Division-303
Cook County Office of State's Attorney
303 Daley Center
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 443-4600
Mr. William Haine, State's Attorney
Madison County Office of State's Attorney
157 N. Main, Suite 402
Edwardsville, IL 62025
(618) 692-6280
City Offices
Ms. Caroline O. Shoenberger
Commissioner
Chicago Department of Consumer Services
121 North LaSalle Street, Room 808
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 744-4006
(312) 744-9385 (TDD)
Mr. Robert E. Hinde, Administrator
Des Plaines Consumer Protection Commission
1420 Miner Street, Room 502
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(708) 391-5363
Indiana
State Office
Mrs. Lisa Hayes
Chief Counsel and Director
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
219 State House
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-6330
1 (800) 382-5516 (toll free in IN)
County Offices
Officer Sharon A. Bennett
Consumer Protection Division
Lake County Police Department
2293 North Main Street
Crown Point, IN 46307
(219) 755-3353
Mr. Jeffrey Modisett
Marion County Prosecuting Attorney
560 City-County Building
200 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3363
(317) 327-5338
Mr. Stanley Levco
Vanderburgh County Prosecuting Attorney
108 Administration Building
Civic Center Complex
Evansville, IN 47708
(812) 426-5150
City Office
Mr. Robert McCrady, Director
Gary Office of Consumer Affairs
Annex East
1100 Massachusetts Street
Gary, IN 46407
(219) 886-0145
Iowa
State Office
Mr. Steve St. Clair
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
1300 East Walnut Street, 2nd Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5926
Kansas
State Office
Ms. Theresa Marcel Nuckolls
Deputy Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
301 West 10th
Kansas Judicial Center
Topeka, KS 66612-1597
(913) 296-3751
1 (800) 432-2310 (toll free in KS)
County Offices
Consumer Fraud Division
Johnson County District Attorney's Office
Johnson County Courthouse
P.O. Box 728
Olathe, KS 66051
(913) 764-8484, ext. 5318
Mr. Richard L. Schodorf, Chief Attorney
Consumer Fraud and Economic Crime Division
Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office
Sedgwick County Courthouse
Wichita, KS 67203
(316) 268-7921
Mr. James A. Brown
Assistant District Attorney
Shawnee County District Attorney's Office
Shawnee County Courthouse, Room 212
Topeka, KS 66603-3922
(913) 291-4330
City Office
Mr. Brenden Long
Assistant City Attorney
Topeka Consumer Protection Division
City Attorney's Office
215 East Seventh Street
Topeka, KS 66603
(913) 295-3883
Kentucky
State Offices
Mr. Robert V. Bullock, Director
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
209 Saint Clair Street
Frankfort, KY 40601-1875
(502) 564-2200
1 (800) 432-9257 (toll free in KY)
Mr. Robert L. Winlock, Administrator
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
107 South 4th Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 595-3262
1 (800) 432-9257 (toll free in KY)
Louisiana
State Office
Ms. Tamera R. Velasquez, Chief
Consumer Protection Section
Office of Attorney General
State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 94095
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095
(504) 342-9638
County Office
Mr. Albert H. Olsen, Chief
Consumer Protection Division
Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office
5th Floor, Gretna Courthouse Annex
Gretna, LA 70053
(504) 364-3644
Maine
State Offices
Mr. William N. Lund
Superintendent
Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection
State House Station No. 35
Augusta, ME 04333-0035
(207) 582-8718
1 (800) 332-8529 (toll free in Maine)
Mr. Stephen Wessler, Chief
Consumer and Antitrust Division
Office of Attorney General
State House Station No. 6
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 626-8849 (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)
Maryland
State Offices
Mr. William Leibovici, Chief
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202-2021
(410) 528-8662 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
(410) 565-0451 (DC metro area)
(410) 576-6372 (TDD in Baltimore area)
Mr. Ronald E. Forbes, Director
Licensing & Consumer Services
Motor Vehicle Administration
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E.
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
(301) 768-7420
Ms. Emalu Myer
Consumer Affairs Specialist
Eastern Shore Branch Office
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
201 Baptist Street, Suite 30
Salisbury, MD 21801-4976
(410) 543-6620
Mr. Larry Munson, Director
Western Maryland Branch Office
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
138 East Antietam Street, Suite 210
Hagerstown, MD 21740-5684
(301) 791-4780
County Offices
Mr. Stephen D. Hannan, Administrator
Howard County Office of Consumer Affairs
9250 Rumsey Rd.
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 313-7220
(410) 313-7224 (FAX)
(410) 313-2323 (TDD)
Ms. Barbara B. Gregg, Executive Director
Montgomery County Office of Consumer Affairs
100 Maryland Avenue, 3rd Floor
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 217-7373
Ms. Michele Tucker Rozner, Esq.
Director
Prince George's County Office of Citizen and Consumer Affairs
County Administration Building, Suite L15
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 952-4700
(301) 925-5167 (TDD)
Massachusetts
State Offices
Mr. Robert Sherman, Chief
Consumer Protection Division
Department of Attorney General
1 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02103
(617) 727-8400 (information and referral to local consumer
offices that work in conjunction with the Department of Attorney
General)
Ms. Gloria Cordes Larson, Secretary
Executive Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation One
Ashburton Place, Room 1411
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-7780 (information and referral only)
Mr. Thomas J. McCormick
Assistant Attorney General
Western Massachusetts Consumer Protection Division
Department of Attorney General
436 Dwight Street
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 784-1240
County Offices
Ms. Margaret Platek, Division Manager
Consumer Fraud Prevention
Franklin County District Attorney's Office
238 Main Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 774-5102
Ms. Susan Grant, Director
Consumer Fraud Prevention
Hampshire County District Attorney's Office
1 Court Square
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-9225
Ms. Lydia Fortune, Director
Consumer Council of Worcester County
340 Main Street, Room 370
Worcester, MA 01608-1690
(508) 754-1176 (9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.)
City Offices
Ms. Diane J. Modica, Commissioner
Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing
Boston City Hall, Room 613
Boston, MA 02201
(617) 635-4165
Ms. Jean Courtney, Director
Consumer Information Center
Springfield Action Commission
P.O. Box 1449 Main Office
Springfield, MA 01101
(413) 737-4376 (Hamden and Hampshire Counties)
Michigan
State Offices
Mr. Frederick H. Hoffecker
Assistant in Charge
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-1140
Mr. Rodger James, Director
Bureau of Automotive Regulation
Michigan Department of State
Lansing, MI 48918-1200
(517) 373-4777
1 (800) 292-4204 (toll free in MI)
County Offices
Ms. Juliane M. Tanner, Chief Investigator
Bay County Consumer Protection Unit
Bay County Building
Bay City, MI 48708-5994
(517) 895-4139
Ms. Margaret DeMuynck, Director
Consumer Protection Department
Macomb County
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
Macomb Court Building, 6th Floor
Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
(313) 469-5350
Ms. Charleen Berels, Director
Washtenaw County Consumer Services
4133 Washtenaw Street
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645
(313) 971-6054
City Office
Ms. Esther K. Shapiro, Director
City of Detroit
Department of Consumer Affairs
1600 Cadillac Tower
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-3508
Minnesota
State Office
Mr. Curt Loewe, Director
Consumer Services Division
Office of Attorney General
1400 NCL Tower
445 Minnesota Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
(612) 296-3353
County Office
Citizen Protection Division
Office of the Hennepin County Attorney
C 2000 County Government Center
Minneapolis, MN 55487
(612) 348-4528
City Office
Mr. James Moncur, Director
Minneapolis Department of Licenses & Consumer Services
One C City Hall
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 673-2080
Mississippi
State Offices
Ms. Leslie Staehle
Special Assistant Attorney General
Director, Office of Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 22947
Jackson, MS 39225-2947
(601) 354-6018
Mr. Joe B. Hardy, Director
Bureau of Regulatory Services
Department of Agriculture and Commerce
500 Greymont Avenue
P.O. Box 1609
Jackson, MS 39215-1609
(601) 354-7063
Missouri
State Offices
Office of the Attorney General
Division of Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-3321
1 (800) 392-8222 (toll free in MO)
Mr. Henry Herschel, Chief Counsel
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-3321
1 (800) 392-8222 (toll free in MO)
Montana
State Office
Consumer Affairs Unit
Department of Commerce
1424 Ninth Avenue
Box 200501
Helena, MT 59620-0501
(406) 444-4312
Nebraska
State Office
Mr. Paul N. Potadle
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Department of Justice
2115 State Capitol
P.O. Box 98920
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2682
Nevada
State Offices
Mr. John P. Kuminecz
Commissioner of Consumer Affairs
Department of Commerce
State Mail Room Complex
Las Vegas, NV 89158
(702) 486-7355
1 (800) 992-0900 (toll free in NV)
Mr. Ray Trease, Consumer Services Officer
Consumer Affairs Division
Department of Commerce
4600 Kietzke Lane, B-113
Reno, NV 89502
(702) 688-1800
1 (800) 992-0900 (toll free in NV)
County Office
Mr. John Long, Investigator
Consumer Fraud Division
Washoe County District Attorney's Office
P.O. Box 11130
Reno, NV 89520
(702) 328-3456
New Hampshire
State Office
Chief
Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau
Office of Attorney General
State House Annex
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-3641
New Jersey
State Offices
Ms. Emma N. Byrne, Director
Division of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 45027
124 Halsey Street, 7th Floor
Newark, NJ 07101
(201) 504-6534
Ms. Lauren F. Carlton
Deputy Attorney General
New Jersey Division of Law
P.O. Box 45029
124 Halsey Street, 5th Floor
Newark, NJ 07101
(201) 648-7579
County Offices
Mr. William H. Ross III, Director
Atlantic County Consumer Affairs
1333 Atlantic Avenue, 8th Floor
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 345-6700
Ms. Joan Steinacker, Director
Bergen County Division of Consumer Affairs
21 Main Street, Room 101-E
Hackensack, NJ 07601-7000
(201) 646-2650
Mrs. Renee L. Borstad, Director
Burlington County Office of Consumer Affairs
49 Rancocas Road
Mount Holly, NJ 08060
(609) 265-5054
Ms. Patricia M. Tuck, Director
Camden County Citizens Services
1800 East Davis Street, Suite 315
Camden, NJ 08104
(609) 757-8397
Mr. E. Robert Spiegel, Director
Cape May County Consumer Affairs
4 Moore Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
(609) 889-0440
Mr. Louis G. Moreno, Director
Cumberland County Department of Consumer Affairs and Weights and
Measures
788 East Commerce Street
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
(609) 453-2203
Director
Essex County Consumer Services
15 South Munn Avenue, 2nd Floor
East Orange, NJ 07018
(201) 678-8071
(201) 678-8928
Mr. Joseph Silvestro, Director
Gloucester County Department of Consumer Protection/Weights &
Measures
152 North Broad Street
Woodbury, NJ 08096
(609) 853-3349
(609) 853-3358
(609) 848-6616 (TDD)
Ms. Barbara Donnelly, Director
Hudson County Division of Consumer Affairs
595 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 795-6295
Ms. Helen Mataka, Director
Hunterdon County Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 283
Lebanon, NJ 08833
(908) 236-2249
Ms. Donna Giovannetti, Division Chief
Mercer County Consumer Affairs
640 South Broad Street,Room 229
P.O. Box 8068
Trenton, NJ 08650-0068
(609) 989-6671
Mr. Lawrence Cimmino, Director
Middlesex County Consumer Affairs
10 Corporate Place South
Piscataway, NJ 08854
(908) 463-6000
Ms. Dorothy H. Avallone, Director
Monmouth County Consumer Affairs
50 East Main Street
P.O. Box 1255
Freehold, NJ 07728-1255
(908) 431-7900
Mr. Kenneth J. Leake, Director
Ocean County Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 2191
County Administration Building
Room 107-1
Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
(908) 929-2105
Ms. Mary Ann Maloney, Director
Passaic County Consumer Affairs
309 Pennsylvania Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07503
(201) 881-4547, 4499
Ms. Marianne Mattei
Somerset County Consumer Affairs
County Administration Building
P.O. Box 3000
Somerville, N.J. 08876
(908) 231-7000, ext. 7400
Mrs. Ollie Jones, Director
Union County Consumer Affairs
300 North Avenue East
P.O. Box 186
Westfield, NJ 07091
(201) 654-9840
Ms. Barbara McHenry, Director
Warren County Consumer Affairs
Dumont Administration Bldg., Route 519
Belvedere, NJ 07823
(908) 475-6500
City Offices
Ms. Lorraine Sudia, Director
Brick Consumer Affairs
Municipal Building
401 Chambers Bridge Road
Brick, NJ 08723
(908) 262-1033
Mr. Edward L. Wolaniuk, Director
Cinnaminson Consumer Affairs
Municipal Building
1621 Riverton Road
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
(609) 829-6000
Ms. Theresa Ward, Director
Clark Consumer Affairs
430 Westfield Avenue
Clark, NJ 07066
(908) 388-3600
Ms. Mary Ann Pizzello, Director
Elizabeth Consumer Affairs
City Hall
50-60 Winfield Scott Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
(908) 820-4183
Mr. Joseph J. Licata, Director
Fort Lee Consumer Protection Board
309 Main Street
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
(201) 592-3654
Ms. Sheila Beverley, Director
Franklin Consumer Affairs
David Herzenberg Drive
P.O. Box 254
Franklin, NJ 07416
(201) 827-4450
Mr. Robert King
Consumer Advocate
City Hall
94 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030
(201) 420-2038
Ms. Bernadine Jacobs, Director
Livingston Consumer Affairs
357 South Livingston Avenue
Livingston, NJ 07039
(201) 535-7976
Ms. Lillian Single, Director
Maywood Consumer Affairs
459 Maywood Avenue
Maywood, NJ 07607
(201) 845-2900
(201) 845-7822
Ms. Genevieve Ross, Director
Middlesex Borough Consumer Affairs
1200 Mountain Avenue
Middlesex, NJ 08846
(908) 356-8090
Ms. Mildred Pastore, Director
Mountainside Consumer Affairs
1455 Coles Avenue
Mountainside, NJ 07092
(908) 232-6600
Mr. Max Moses, Deputy Mayor
Director Consumer Affairs
Municipal Building
North Bergen, NJ 07047
(201) 392-2157
(201) 330-7291
(201) 330-7292
Ms. Annmarie Nicolette, Director
Nutley Consumer Affairs
Public Safety Building
228 Chestnut Street
Nutley, NJ 07110
(201) 284-4936
Ms. Beth Di Marco, Director
Parsippany Consumer Affairs
Municipal Building, Room 101
1001 Parsippany Boulevard
Parsippany, NJ 07054
(201) 263-7011
Mrs. Maria Jimenez, Director
Perth Amboy Public Information
City Hall
1 Olive Street
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
(908) 826-1690, ext. 16, 17
Ms. Priscilla Castles, Director
Plainfield Action Services
510 Watchung Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07060
(908) 753-3519
Mr. Michael B. Bukatman, Director
Secaucus Department of Consumer Affairs
Municipal Government Center
Secaucus, NJ 07094
(201) 330-2019
Ms. Marion Cramer, Director
Union Township Consumer Affairs
Municipal Building
1976 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
(908) 688-6763
Mr. Charles A. Stern, Director
Wayne Township Consumer Affairs
475 Valley Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
(201) 694-1800, ext. 3290
Mr. John Weitzel, Director
Weehawken Consumer Affairs
400 Park Avenue
Weehawken, NJ 07087
(201) 319-6005
Mr. John Busuttil, Director
West New York Consumer Affairs
428 60th Street
West New York, NJ 07093
(201) 861-2522
Mr. Herb Gilsenberg
Woodbridge Consumer Affairs
Municipal Building
One Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(908) 634-4500, ext. 2697
New Mexico
State Office
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
P.O. Drawer 1508
Santa Fe, NM 87504
(505) 827-6060
1 (800) 678-1508 (toll free in NM)
New York
State Offices
Mr. Richard M. Kessel
Chairperson and Executive Director
New York State Consumer Protection Board
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210-2891
(518) 474-8583
Ms. Rachel Kretser
Assistant Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection
Office of Attorney General
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
(518) 474-5481
Mr. John W. Corwin
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection
Office of Attorney General
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
(212) 416-8345
Mr. Richard M. Kessel
Chairperson and Executive Director
New York State Consumer Protection Board
250 Broadway, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10007-2593
(212) 417-4908 (complaints)
(212) 417-4482 (main office)
Regional Offices
Mr. Dennis C. McCabe
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Binghamton Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
59-61 Court Street, 7th Floor
Binghamton, NY 13901
(607) 762-1013
Mr. Peter B. Sullivan
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Buffalo Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
65 Court Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 847-7184
Mr. Alan J. Burczak
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Plattsburgh Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
70 Clinton Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518) 563-8012
Mr. Kent L. Mardon
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Poughkeepsie Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
235 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(914) 485-3920
Mr. Eugene Welch
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Rochester Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
144 Exchange Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14614
(716) 546-7430
Ms. Susan B. Blum
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Suffolk Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
300 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(516) 231-2400
Mr. John R. Voninski
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Syracuse Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
615 Erie Boulevard West
Syracuse, NY 13204-2465
(315) 448-4848
Ms. Aniela J. Carl
Assistant Attorney General in Charge
Utica Regional Office
Office of Attorney General
207 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501
(315) 793-2225
County Offices
Mr. Thomas M. Jablonowski
Director of Consumer Affairs
Broome County Bureau of Consumer Affairs
Governmental Plaza, P.O. Box 1766
Binghamton, NY 13902
(607) 778-2168
Mr. Nelson Kranker, Director
Dutchess County Department of Consumer Affairs
38-A Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
(914) 471-6322
Ms. Candace K. Vogel
Assistant District Attorney
Consumer Fraud Bureau
Erie County District Attorney's Office
25 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-2424
Mr. James E. Picken, Commissioner
Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs
160 Old Country Road
Mineola, NY 11501
(516) 571-2600
Mr. John McCullough, Executive Director
New Justice Conflict Resolution Services Inc.
210 East Fayette Street, Suite 700
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 471-4676
Mr. Edward J. Brown, Commissioner
Orange County Department of Consumer Affairs and Weights and
Measures
99 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(914) 294-5151, ext. 1762
Mr. Francis D. Phillips II, District Attorney
Orange County District Attorney's Office
255 Main Street
County Government Center
Goshen, NY 10924
(914) 294-5471
Mr. Joseph LaBarbera
Putnam County Office Facility
Department of Consumer Affairs
Myrtle Avenue
Mahopac Falls, NY 10542-0368
(914) 621-2317
Ms. Johanna R. Farley, Commissioner
Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection
County Office Building
18 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY 10956
(914) 638-5280
Mr. Dennis S. Abbey, Director
Steuben County Department of Weights, Measures and Consumer Affairs
3 East Pulteney Square
Bath, NY 14810
(607) 776-9631
(607) 776-9631, ext. 2409 (voice/TDD)
Ms. Mary A. Fallon, Director
Suffolk County Executive's Office of Citizen Affairs
North County Complex, Bldg. 340
Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(516) 853-4600
Mr. Jon Van Vlack, Director
Ulster County Consumer Fraud Bureau
285 Wall Street
Kingston, NY 12401
(914) 339-5680, ext. 240
Mr. Frank D. Castaldi, Jr.
Chief, Frauds Bureau
Westchester County District Attorney's Office
111 Grove Street
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 285-8303
Mrs. Diane A. Keane, Director
Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection
112 East Post Road, 4th Floor
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 285-2155
City Offices
Mr. James A. Adkinson, Director
Babylon Consumer Protection Board
Town Hall Office Annex
281 Phelps Lane
North Babylon, NY 11703
(516) 422-7636
Town of Colonie Consumer Protection
Memorial Town Hall
Newtonville, NY 12128
(518) 783-2790
Mr. Stephen Pedone, Commissioner
Mt. Vernon Office of Consumer Affairs
City Hall
Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
(914) 665-2433
Mr. Peter Lempin, Acting Commissioner
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
42 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
(212) 487-4403
Bronx Neighborhood Office
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
851 Grand Concourse
Room 913
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 590-6006
Brooklyn Neighborhood Office
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
1360 Fulton Street, Room 320
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(718) 636-7092
Ms. Isabel Butler, Director
Queens Neighborhood Office
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
120-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 301A
Kew Gardens, NY 11424
(718) 261-2922
Ms. Johanna Kepley, Director
Staten Island Neighborhood Office
New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
Staten Island Borough Hall, Room 422
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 390-5154
(718) 390-5155
Mr. Joseph Kapuscinski, Director
City of Oswego Office of Consumer Affairs
City Hall
West Oneida Street
Oswego, NY 13126
(315) 342-8150
Mrs. Linda Oppenheim
Executive Assistant
Ramapo Consumer Protection Board
Ramapo Town Hall
237 Route 59
Suffern, NY 10901-5399
(914) 357-5100
Schenectady Bureau of Consumer Protection
City Hall, Room 204
Jay Street
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 382-5061
Mr. Ralph A. Capozzi, Director
Yonkers Office of Consumer Protection, Weights and Measures 201
Palisade Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10703
(914) 377-6807
North Carolina
State Office
Mr. Alan S. Hirsch
Special Deputy Attorney General
Consumer Protection Section
Office of Attorney General
Raney Building
P.O. Box 629
Raleigh, NC 27602
(919) 733-7741
North Dakota
State Offices
Ms. Heidi Heitkamp
Office of Attorney General
600 East Boulevard
Bismarck, ND 58505
(701) 224-2210
1 (800) 472-2600 (toll free in ND)
Mr. Tom Engelhardt, Director
Consumer Fraud Section
Office of Attorney General
600 East Boulevard
Bismarck, ND 58505
(701) 224-3404
1 (800) 472-2600 (toll free in ND)
County Office
Mr. Kent Keys, Executive Director
Quad County Community Action Agency
27 1/2 South Third Street
Grand Forks, ND 58201
(701) 746-5431
Ohio
State Offices
Mr. Mark T. D'Alessandro
Consumer Frauds and Crimes Section
Office of Attorney General
30 East Broad Street
State Office Tower, 25th Floor
Columbus, OH 43266-0410
(614) 466-4986 (complaints)
(614) 466-1393 (TDD)
1 (800) 282-0515 (toll tree in OH)
Mr. William A. Spratley
Office of Consumers' Counsel
77 South High Street, 15th Floor
Columbus, OH 43266-0550
(614) 466-9605 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 282-9448 (toll free in OH)
County Offices
Mr. William J. Owen, Director
Corrupt Activities Prosecution Unit
Franklin County Office of Prosecuting Attorney
369 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 462-3555
Mr. Steven C. LaTourette
County Prosecutor
Consumer Protection Division
Lake County Office of Prosecuting Attorney
Lake County Court House
Painesville, OH 44077
(216) 357-2683
1 (800) 899-5253 (toll free in OH)
Mr. Robert A. Skinner
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Montgomery County Fraud and Economic Crimes Division
301 West 3rd Street
Dayton Montgomery County Courts Building
Dayton, OH 45402
(513) 225-4747
Mr. David Norris, Prosecuting Attorney
Portage County Office of Prosecuting Attorney
466 South Chestnut Street
Ravenna, OH 44266-0671
(216) 296-4593
Mr. Lynn C. Slaby, Prosecuting Attorney
Summit County Office of Prosecuting Attorney
53 University Avenue
Akron, OH 44308-1680
(216) 643-2800
City Offices
Ms. Cheryl Meadows
Assistant to the City Manager
Cincinnati Office of Consumer Services
Division of Human Services
City Hall, Room 126
801 Plum Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 352-3971
Mr. Anthony C. Julian, Director
Youngstown Office of Consumer Affairs and Weights and Measures 26
South Phelps Street
City Hall
Youngstown, OH 44503-1318
(216) 742-8884
Oklahoma
State Offices
Ms. Jane Wheeler
Assistant Attorney General
Office of Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
4545 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 260
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-4274
Mr. John L. McClure, Administrator
Department of Consumer Credit
4545 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 104
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3408
(405) 521-3653
Oregon
State Office
Ms. Terry Leggert, Attorney in Charge
Financial Fraud Section
Department of Justice
1162 Court St. N.E.
Salem, OR 97310
(503) 378-4732
Pennsylvania
State Offices
Mr. Renardo Hicks, Director
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
Strawberry Square, 14th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-9707
1 (800) 441-2555 (toll tree in PA)
Mr. Irwin A. Popowsky, Consumer Advocate
Office of Consumer Advocate-Utilities
Office of Attorney General
1425 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-5048 (utilities only)
Mr. Michael Butler
Deputy Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
1251 South Cedar Crest Blvd.
Suite 309
Allentown, PA 18103
(215) 821-6690
Mr. Mitchell Miller, Director
Bureau of Consumer Services
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
P.O. Box 3265
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265
(717) 783-1470 (out-of-state calls only)
1 (800) 782-1110 (toll free in PA)
Mr. Daniel R. Goodemote
Deputy Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
919 State Street, Room 203
Erie, PA 16501
(814) 871-4371
Mr. Robin David Bleecher
Deputy Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
132 Kline Village
Harrisburg, PA 17104
(717) 787-7109
1 (800) 441-2555 (toll free in PA)
Mr. E. Barry Creany
Deputy Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of the Attorney General
Professional Building
P.O. Box 716
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 949-7900
Mr. John E. Kelly, Deputy Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
21 South 12th Street, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 560-2414
1 (800) 441-2555 (toll free in PA)
Ms. Stephanie L. Royal
Deputy Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
Manor Complex, 5th Floor
564 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 565-5394
Mr. J.P. McGowan
Deputy Attorney General
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
214 Samters Building
101 Penn Avenue
Scranton, PA 18503-2025
(717) 963-4913
County Offices
Mr. Sidney Elkin, Director
Beaver County Alliance for Consumer Protection
699 Fifth Street
Beaver, PA 15009-1997
(412) 728-7267
Mr. A. Courtney Yelle, Director/Chief Sealer
Bucks County Consumer Protection, Weights and Measures
50 North Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
(215) 348-7442
Mr. Robert Taylor, Director
Chester County Weights and Measures/Consumer Affairs
Government Services Center, Suite 390
601 Westtown Road
West Chester, PA 19382-4547
(215) 344-6150
Consumer Mediator
Cumberland County Consumer Affairs
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013-3387
(717) 240-6180
Ms. Evelyn Yancoskie, Director
Delaware County Office of Consumer Affairs, Weights and Measures
Government Center Building
Second and Olive Streets
Media, PA 19063
(215) 891-4865
Mrs. Helen Dunigan, Director
Montgomery County Consumer Affairs Department
County Courthouse
Norristown, PA 19404
(215) 278-3565
City Office
Mr. Bruce Sagel, Chief
Economic Crime Unit
Philadelphia District Attorney's Office
1421 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 686-8750
Puerto Rico
Mr. Iván Ayala Cádiz, Secretary
Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO)
Minillas Station, P.O. Box 41059
Santurce, PR 00940-1059
(809) 721-0940
Mr. Pedro R. Pierluisi, Secretary
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 192
San Juan, PR 00902
(809) 721-2900
Rhode Island
State Offices
Ms. Christine S. Jabour, Esq.
Consumer Protection Division
Department of Attorney General
72 Pine Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 274-4400
(401) 274-4400, ext. 2354 (TDD)
1 (800) 852-7776 (toll free in RI)
Mr. Edwin P. Palumbo, Executive Director
Rhode Island Consumers' Council
365 Broadway
Providence, RI 02909
(401) 277-2764
South Carolina
State Offices
Mr. Ken Moore
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Fraud and Antitrust Section
Office of Attorney General
P.O. Box 11549
Columbia, SC 29211
(803) 734-3970
Mr. Steve Hamm, Administrator
Department of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 5757
Columbia, SC 29250-5757
(803) 734-9452
(803) 734-9455 (TDD)
1 (800) 922-1594 (toll free in SC)
Mr. W. Jefferson Bryson, Jr.
State Ombudsman
Office of Executive Policy and Program
1205 Pendleton Street, Room 308
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-0457
(803) 734-1147 (TDD)
South Dakota
State Office
Mr. Jeff Hallem, Assistant Attorney General
Division of Consumer Affairs
Office of Attorney General
500 East Capitol
State Capitol Building
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
(605) 773-4400
Tennessee
State Offices
Mr. Steven Hart, Deputy Attorney General
Division of Consumer Protection
Office of Attorney General
450 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0485
(615) 741-3491
Ms. Elizabeth Owen, Director
Division of Consumer Affairs
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0600
(615) 741-4737
1 (800) 342-8385 (toll free in TN)
Texas
State Offices
Mr. Joe Crews
Assistant Attorney General and Chief
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-2070
Mr. Robert E. Reyna
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
714 Jackson Street, Suite 800
Dallas, TX 75202-4506
(214) 742-8944
Mrs. Valli Jo Acosta
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
6090 Surety Drive, Room 113
El Paso, TX 79905
(915) 772-9476
Mr. Richard Tomlinson
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
1019 Congress Street, Suite 1550
Houston, TX 77002-1702
(713) 223-5886
Mr. Stephen C. McIntyre
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
1208 14th Street, Suite 900
Lubbock, TX 79401-3997
(806) 747-5238
Mr. Michael Winget-Hernandez
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
3201 North McColl Rd., Suite B
McAllen, TX 78501
(210) 682-4547
Mr. Aaron Valenzuela
Assistant Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
115 East Travis Street, Suite 925
San Antonio,TX 78205-1607
(512) 225-4191
Office of Public Insurance Counsel
333 Guadalope, Suite 3-120
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 322-4143
County Offices
Mr. Ted Steinke
Assistant District Attorney and Chief of Dallas County District
Attorney's Office
Specialized Crime Division
133 North Industrial Boulevard, LB 19
Dallas, TX 75207-4313
(214) 653-3820
Mr. Russel Turbeville
Assistant District Attorney and Chief
Harris County Consumer Fraud Division
Office of District Attorney
201 Fannin, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77002-1901
(713) 755-5836
City Office
Ms. Adela Gonzalez, Director
Dallas Consumer Protection Division
Health and Human Services Department
320 East Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 312
Dallas, TX 75203
(214) 948-4400
(214) 670-5216
Utah
State Office
Ms. Francine A. Giani, Director
Division of Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce
160 East 3rd South
P.O. Box 45804
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0804
(801) 530-6001
(801) 530-6601 (FAX)
Vermont
State Offices
Ms. Marilyn S. Skoglund
Assistant Attorney General and Chief
Public Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1001
(802) 828-3171
Mr. Bruce Martell, Supervisor
Consumer Assurance Section
Department of Agriculture, Food and Market
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-2901
(802) 828-2436
Virgin Islands
Mr. Clement Magras, Commissioner
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Property and Procurement Building
Subbase #1, Room 205
St. Thomas, VI 00802
(809) 774-3130
Virginia
State Offices
Mr. Frank Seales, Jr., Chief
Antitrust and Consumer Litigation Section
Office of Attorney General
Supreme Court Building
101 North Eighth Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 786-2116
1 (800) 451-1525 (toll free in VA)
Ms. Betty W. Blakemore, Director
State Division of Consumer Affairs
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Room 101, Washington Building
P.O. Box 1163
Richmond, VA 23209
(804) 786-2042
County Offices
Office of Citizen and Consumer Affairs
#1 Court House Plaza, Suite 314
2100 Clarendon Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 358-3260
Mr. Ronald B. Mallard, Director
Fairfax County Department of Consumer Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 433
Fairfax, VA 22030-6093
(Mail complaints only)
Ms. Susan Matthews, Director
Prince William County Citizen and Consumer Assistance
15941 Cardinal Drive, Suite FE 850
Prince William, VA 22191
(703) 792-7370
City Offices
Mr. James J. Jones, Administrator
Alexandria Office of Consumer Affairs
City Hall
P.O. Box 178
Alexandria, VA 22313
(703) 838-4350
(703) 838-5056 (TDD)
Mr. Robert L. Gill, Coordinator
Division of Consumer Affairs
City Hall
Norfolk, VA 23501
(804) 441-2821
(804) 441-2000 (TDD)
Ms. Dolores Daniels
Assistant to the City Manager
Roanoke Consumer Protection Division
364 Municipal Building
215 Church Avenue, S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24011
(703) 981-2583
Ms. Cathy Townsend Parks, Director
Consumer Affairs Division
Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney
Municipal Center
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(804) 426-5836
(804) 427-8779 (FAX)
Washington
State Offices
Ms. Renee Olbricht, Investigator
Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 40118
Olympia, WA 98504-0118
(206) 753-6210
Ms. Sally Sterling
Director of Consumer Services
Consumer and Business Fair Practices Division
Office of the Attorney General
900 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000
Seattle, WA 98164
(206) 464-6684
1 (800) 551-4636 (toll free in WA)
Mr. Owen Clarke, Chief
Consumer and Business Fair Practices Division
Office of the Attorney General
West 1116 Riverside Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 456-3123
Ms. Cynthia Lanphear, Contact Person
Consumer and Business Fair Practices Division
Office of the Attorney General
1019 Pacific Avenue, 3rd Floor
Tacoma, WA 98402-4411
(206) 593-2904
City Offices
Ms. Kristie Anderson, Director
Department of Weights and Measures
3200 Cedar Street
Everett, WA 98201
(206) 259-8810
Mr. C. Patrick Sainsbury
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Fraud Division
900 4th Avenue, #1002
Seattle, WA 98164
(206) 296-9010
Mr. Dale H. Tiffany, Director
Seattle Department of Licenses and Consumer Affairs
600 4th Avenue, #102
Seattle, WA 98104-1893
(206) 684-8484
Mr. Mike Mar
Weights & Measures Supervisor
Seattle Department of Licenses & Consumer Affairs
805 S. Dearborn Street
Seattle, WA 98134
(206) 386-1298
Mr. R. Keith Stoner
Consumer Affairs Inspector
Seattle Department of Licenses & Consumer Affairs
600 4th Avenue, #102
Seattle, WA 98104-1893
(206) 684-8405
West Virginia
State Offices
Mr. Donald L. Darling, Director
Consumer Protection Division
Office of Attorney General
812 Quarrier Street, 6th Floor
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 558-8986
1 (800) 368-8808 (toll free in WV)
Mr. Stephen Casto, Director
Division of Weights and Measures
Department of Labor
570 MacCorkle Avenue
St. Albans, WV 25177
(304) 348-7890
Wisconsin
State Offices
Mr. John Alberts, Administrator
Division of Trade and Consumer Protection
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
801 West Badger Road
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-9836
1 (800) 422-7128 (toll free in WI)
Ms. Margaret Quaid, Regional Supervisor
Division of Trade and Consumer Protection
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
927 Loring Street
Altoona, WI 54720
(715) 839-3848
1 (800) 422-7128 (toll free in WI)
Regional Supervisor
Division of Trade and Consumer Protection
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
200 North Jefferson Street, Suite 146A
Green Bay, WI 54301
(414) 448-5111
1 (800) 422-7128 (toll free in WI)
Regional Supervisor
Consumer Protection Regional Office
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
3333 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 114
Milwaukee, WI 53222-3288
(414) 266-1231
Mr. James D. Jeffries
Assistant Attorney General
Office of Consumer Protection and Citizen Advocacy
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 7856
Madison, WI 53707-7856
(608) 266-1852
1 (800) 362-8189 (toll free)
Mr. Nadim Sahar
Assistant Attorney General
Office of Consumer Protection
Department of Justice
Milwaukee State Office Building
819 North 6th Street, Room 520
Milwaukee, WI 53203-1678
(414) 227-4948
1 (800) 362-8189 (toll free)
County Offices
Mr. Darryl Nevers
Assistant District Attorney
Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office
Consumer Fraud Unit
821 West State Street, Room 412
Milwaukee, WI 53233-1485
(414) 278-4792
Mr. James A. Dehne
Consumer Fraud Investigator
Racine County Sheriffs Department
717 Wisconsin Avenue
Racine, WI 53403
(414) 636-3125
Wyoming
State Office
Mr. Mark Moran, Assistant Attorney General
Office of Attorney General
123 State Capitol Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7874
State Agencies on Aging
The offices listed in this section coordinate services for older
Americans. They provide information on services, programs and
opportunities for these consumers. (This list is printed in larger
type for the benefit of older consumers.)
Alabama
Dr. Oscar D. Tucker
Executive Director
Alabama Commission on Aging
RSA Plaza
770 Washington Avenue
Suite 470
Montgomery, AL 36130
(205) 242-5743
1 (800) AGELINE (toll free in AL)
Alaska
Ms. Connie J. Sipe
Executive Director
Older Alaskans Commission
P.O. Box 110209
Juneau, AK 99811-0209
(907) 465-3250
American Samoa
Mata'u Taele (Director)
Territorial Administration on Aging
Government of American Samoa
Pago Pago, AS 96799
011 (684) 633-1251
Arizona
Mr. Richard Littler, Administrator
Aging and Adult Administration
1789 West Jefferson, 950A
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-4446
Arkansas
Mr. Herb Sanderson, Director
Division of Aging and Adult Services
Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 1437, Slot 1412
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
(501) 682-2441
1 (800) 482-8049 (toll free in AR, Adult Protective Services only)
California
Mr. Robert P. Martinez, Director
Department of Aging
1600 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 322-5290
(916) 323-8913 (TDD)
1 (800) 231-4024 (Ombudsman
Hotline-toll free in CA)
Colorado
Ms. Karen Beye
Executive Director
Colorado Department of Social Services
1575 Sherman Street
Denver, CO 80203-1714
(303) 866-5800
Connecticut
Ms. A. Cynthia Matthews
Commissioner
Department on Aging
175 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06106
(203) 566-3238
1 (800) 443-9946
(toll free voice/TDD in CT)
Delaware
Ms. Eleanor L. Cain, Director
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Aging
1901 North DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 577-4791
1 (800) 223-9074
(toll free in DE)
District of Columbia
Ms. Jearline F. Williams
Executive Director
D.C. Office on Aging
1424 K Street, N.W., 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 724-5623
Florida
Ms. Conchy T. Bretos
Assistant Secretary
Aging and Adult Services
1321 Winewood Boulevard
Room 323
Tallahassee,FL 32399-0700
(904) 488-8922
Georgia
Mrs. Judith E. Hagebak, Director
Office of Aging
878 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Suite 632
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 894-5333
Guam
Ms. D. Renee Anderson, MHR
Administrator
Division of Senior Citizens
Government of Guam - DPH & SS
P.O. Box 2816
Agana, GU 96910
(671) 632-4141
(671) 632-4153
(671) 632-4162
Hawaii
Dr. Jeanette Takamura, Director
Executive Office on Aging
335 Merchant Street, Suite 241
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-0100
1 (800) 468-4644
(toll free in HI)
Idaho
Mr. Kenneth C. Wilkes
Director
Idaho Office on Aging
Statehouse, Room 108
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-3833
Illinois
Ms. Maralee I. Lindley, Director
Department on Aging
421 East Capitol Avenue
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 785-2870
1 (800) 252-8966
(toll free voice/TDD)
Indiana
Ms. Geneva Shedd, Director
Aging/In-Home Care Services Division
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
P.O. Box 7083
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083
(317) 232-7020
1 (800) 545-7763
(toll free in IN)
Iowa
Ms. Betty Grandquist
Executive Director
Department of Elder Affairs
914 Grand Avenue, Suite 236
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5187
(515) 281-5188 (TDD)
1 (800) 532-3213 (toll free in IA)
Kansas
Ms. Joanne Hurst, Secretary
Department on Aging
Docking State Office Building
Room 122 South
915 Southwest Harrison Street
Topeka, KS 66612-1500
(913) 296-4986
1 (800) 432-3535
(toll free in KS)
Kentucky
Mr. S. Jack Williams, Director
Division for Aging Services
Department for Social Services
275 East Main Street
5th Floor West
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-6930
(502) 564-5497 (TDD)
1 (800) 372-2991 (toll free in KY-Long-Term Care Ombudsman) 1 (800)
372-2973 (toll free TDD in KY-Human Resources Ombudsman) Louisiana
Mr. Bobby Fontenot, Director
Governors Office of Elder Affairs
P.O. Box 80374
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
(504) 925-1700
Maine
Ms. Christine Gianopoulos
Director
Bureau of Elder and Adult Service
35 Anthony Avenue
Statehouse, Station 11
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
(207) 624-5335
Maryland
Ms. Rosalie S. Abrams, Director
Office on Aging
301 West Preston Street
10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 225-1100
(410) 383-7555 (TDD)
1 (800) 243-3425 (toll free in MD)
Massachusetts
Mr. Franklin P. Ollivierre, Secretary
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-7750
1 (800) 882-2003 (toll free in MA)
1 (800) 922-2275 (toll free voice/TDD in MA-Elder Abuse Hotline)
Michigan
Director
Office of Services to the Aging
P.O. Box 30026
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-8230
Minnesota
Mr. Gerald Bloedow
Executive Secretary
Minnesota Board on Aging
444 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-3843
(612) 296-2770
(612) 297-7855 (FAX)
1 (800) 882-6262 (toll free in MN)
Mississippi
Mr. Eddie Anderson
Director
Division of Aging and Adult Services
455 North Lamar Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 359-6770
(601) 359-6703
1 (800) 345-6347 (toll free in MS)
Missouri
Division of Aging
P.O. Box 1337
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-8535
1 (800) 392-0210 (toll free)
Montana
Mr. Charles Rehbein
Coordinator of Aging Services
Governor's Office
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-4204
1 (800) 332-2272
(toll free in MT)
Nebraska
Ms. Jacklyn J. Smith, Director
Nebraska Department on Aging
State Office Building
P.O. Box 95044
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2306
Nevada
Ms. Suzanne Ernst, Administrator
Division for Aging Services
Department of Human Resources
340 North 11th Street
State Mailroom
Las Vegas, NV 89158
(702) 486-3545
New Hampshire
Mr. Richard A. Chevrefils, Director
Division of Elderly and Adult Services
State Office Park South
115 Pleasant St., Annex Bldg. #1
Concord, NH 03301-3843
(603) 271-4680
1 (800) 351-1888 (toll free in NH)
New Jersey
Ms. Lois Hull, Director
Division on Aging
Department of Community Affairs
CN 807
Trenton, NJ 08625-0807
(609) 292-4833
1 (800) 792-8820 (toll free in NJ)
New Mexico
Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham
Director, State Agency on Aging
224 East Palace Avenue
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 827-7640 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 432-2080
(toll free in NM)
New York
Ms. Jane Gould, Director
New York State Office for the Aging
Agency Building 2, ESP
Albany, NY 12223
(518) 474-4425
1 (800) 342-9871 (toll free in NY)
North Carolina
Ms. Bonnie M. Cramer, Director
Division of Aging
Department of Human Resources
Caller Box No. 29531
693 Palmer Drive
Raleigh, NC 27626-0531
(919) 733-3983
1 (800) 662-7030
(toll free voice/TDD in NC)
North Dakota
Ms. Linda Wright, Director
Aging Services
Department of Human Service
Northbrook Mall
1929 N. Washington Street
P.O. Box 7070
Bismarck, ND 58507-7070
(701) 224-2577
1 (800) 755-8521 (toll free in ND)
Ohio
Ms. Judith Y. Brachman, Director
Ohio Department of Aging
50 West Broad Street, 9th Floor
Columbus, OH 43266-0501
(614) 466-5500
(614) 466-6191 (TDD)
1 (800) 282-1206 (toll free in OH-nursing home information)
Oklahoma
Mr. Roy R. Keen
Division Administrator
Aging Services Division
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 521-2327
(405) 521-2328 (TDD)
Oregon
Mr. James C. Wilson
Administrator
Senior and Disabled Services Division
Department of Human Resources
State of Oregon
500 Summer St. NE, 2nd Floor
Salem, OR 97310-1015
(503) 378-4728
1 (800) 282-8096 or
1 (800) 232-3020 (toll free voice/TDD in OR)
Pennsylvania
Ms. Linda M. Rhodes, Secretary
Department of Aging
Market Street State Office Building
400 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301
(717) 783-1550
Puerto Rico
Ms. Ruby Rodriguez
Executive Director
Office of Elder Affairs
Call Box 50063
Old San Juan Station, PR 00902
(809) 721-4560
Rhode Island
Ms. Maureen Maigret, Director
Department of Elderly Affairs
160 Pine Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 277-2880 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 322-2880
(toll free in RI)
South Carolina
Ms. Ruth Q. Seigler
Executive Director
South Carolina Commission on Aging
400 Arbor Lake Drive
Suite B-500
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-0210
1 (800) 868-9095 (toll free)
South Dakota
Ms. Gail Ferris, Administrator
Office of Adult Services and Aging
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3656
Tennessee
Ms. Emily Wiseman, Director
Commission on Aging
706 Church Street, Suite 201
Nashville, TN 37243-0860
(615) 741-2056
Texas
Ms. Mary Sapp
Executive Director
Texas Department on Aging
P.O. Box 12786
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 444-2727 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 252-9240 (toll free in TX)
Utah
Ms. Robin Arnold-Williams
Director
Division of Aging and Adult Services
P.O. Box 45500
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0500
(801) 538-3910
Vermont
Mr. Lawrence G. Crist
Commissioner
Department of Aging and Disabilities
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-2301
(802) 241-2400 (voice/TDD)
Virgin Islands
Mrs. Juel T. R. Molloy
Commissioner
Department of Human Services
Knud Hansen Complex, Bldg. A
1303 Hospital Ground
Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802
(809) 774-0930
Virginia
Ms. Thelma E. Bland
Commissioner
Department for the Aging
700 East Franklin Street
10th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219-2327
(804) 225-2271 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 552-4464 (toll free in VA)
1 (800) 552-3402 (toll free in VA-Ombudsman Hotline)
Washington
Mr. Charles Reed
Assistant Secretary
Aging and Adult Services Administration, DSHS
P.O. Box 45050
Olympia, WA 98504-5050
(206) 493-2509
1 (800) 422-3263
(toll free in WA)
West Virginia
Mr. William E. Lytton, Jr.
Interim Executive Director
Commission on Aging
Holly Grove, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E.
Charleston, WV 25305-0160
(304) 558-3317
Wisconsin
Ms. Donna McDowell, Director
Bureau on Aging
P.O. Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-2536
Wyoming
Mr. Morris L. Gardner, Administrator
Division on Aging
139 Hathaway Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0480
(307) 777-7986
1 (800) 442-2766 (toll free)
State Banking Authorities
The offices listed below regulate and supervise state-chartered
banks. Many of them handle or refer problems and complaints about
other types of financial institutions as well. Some also answer
general questions about banking and consumer credit. If you are
dealing with a federally chartered bank, check the
listing of "Selected Federal Agencies," beginning on page 105.
Also see the information in "Selecting a Financial Institution" on
page 18.
Alabama
Mr. Zack Thompson
Superintendent of Banks
101 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36130
(205) 242-3452
Alaska
Mr. Willis F. Kirkpatrick
Director of Banking, Securities and Corporations
P.O. Box 110807
Juneau, AK 99811-0807
(907) 465-2521
Arizona
Mr. Richard C. Houseworth
Superintendent of Banks
Arizona State Banking Dept.
2910 North 44th Street
Suite 310
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 255-4421
1 (800) 544-0708 (toll free in AZ)
Arkansas
Mr. Bill J. Ford
Bank Commissioner
Tower Building
323 Center Street, Suite 500
Little Rock, AR 72201-2613
(501) 324-9019
California
Mr. James E. Gilleran
Superintendent of Banks
111 Pine Street, Suite 1100
San Francisco, CA 94111 -5613
(415) 557-3535
1 (800) 622-0620 (toll free in CA)
For consumer complaints against CA state-licensed banks, the "800"
number reaches the Consumer Services Office, located in Sacramento,
CA.
Colorado
Ms. Barbara M.A. Walker
State Bank Commissioner
Division of Banking
1560 Broadway St., Suite 1175
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-7575
Connecticut
Mr. Ralph Shulansky
Banking Commissioner
44 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
(203) 566-4560
Delaware
Mr. Keith H. Ellis
State Bank Commissioner
555 E. Loockerman Street
Suite 210
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-4235
District of Columbia
Ms. Linda Flemming McGhee
Acting Superintendent of Banking and Financial Institutions 1250 I
Street, N.W.
Suite 1003
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 727-1563
Florida
Mr. Gerald Lewis
State Comptroller
State Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0350
(904) 488-0286
1 (800) 848-3792 (toll free in FL)
Georgia
Mr. Edward D. Dunn
Commissioner
Banking and Finance
2990 Brandywine Road
Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30341-5565
(404) 986-1633
Guam
Mr. Joaquin Blaz
Director
Department of Revenue and Taxation
855 West Marine Drive
Agana, GU 96910
011 (671) 477-5107
Hawaii
Ms. Lynne Himeda
Commissioner
Financial Institutions
P.O. Box 2054
Honolulu, HI 96805
(808) 586-2820
Idaho
Mr. Belton J. Patty
Director
Department of Finance
700 West State Street
2nd Floor
Boise, ID 83720-2700
(208) 334-3319
Illinois
Mr. Richard Luft
Commissioner of Banks and Trust Companies
117 South Fifth Street
Room 100
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 785-2837
1 (800) 634-5452 (toll free in IL-credit card rate information
only)
Indiana
Mr. Charles W. Phillips
Director
Department of Financial Institutions
402 W. Washington Street
Room W066
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2294
(317) 232-3955
1 (800) 382-4880 (toll free in IN)
Iowa
Mr. R. H. Buenneke
Superintendent of Banking
200 East Grand, Suite 300
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 281-4014
Kansas
Mr. Frank D. Dunnick
State Bank Commissioner
700 Jackson Street, Suite 300
Topeka, KS 66603-3714
(913) 296-2266
(913) 296-0168 (FAX)
Kentucky
Mr. Edward B. Hatchett, Jr.
Commissioner, Department of Financial Institutions
477 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-3390
Louisiana
Mr. Larry L. Murray
Commissioner
Financial Institutions
P.O. Box 94095
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(504) 925-4660
Maine
Mr. H. Donald DeMatteis
Superintendent of Banking
State House Station #36
Augusta, ME 04333-0036
(207) 582-8713
Maryland
Ms. Margie H. Muller
Bank Commissioner
501 St. Paul Place, 13th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
(301) 333-6812
Massachusetts
Mr. Alan R. Morse, Jr.
Commissioner of Banks
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02202
(617) 727-2102
(617) 727-2103
Michigan
Mr. Patrick McQueen
Commissioner
Financial Institutions Bureau
P.O. Box 30224
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-3460
Minnesota
Mr. James G. Miller
Deputy Commissioner of Commerce
133 East 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
(612) 296-2135
Mississippi
Mr. Joseph H. Neely
Commissioner
Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
P.O. Box 23729
Jackson, MS 39225-3729
(601) 359-1031
1 (800) 844-2499 (toll free in MS)
Missouri
Mr. Earl L. Manning
Commissioner of Finance
P.O. Box 716
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-3242
Montana
Mr. Donald W. Hutchinson
Commissioner
Financial Institutions
1520 East Sixth Avenue
Room 50
P.O. Box 200512
Helena, MT 59620-0542
(406) 444-2091
Nebraska
Mr. James A. Hansen
Director of Banking & Finance
1200 "N" Street, Suite 311
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 471-2171
Nevada
Mr. L. Scott Walshaw
Commissioner
Financial Institutions
406 East Second Street
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 687-4260
New Hampshire
Mr. A. Roland Roberge
Bank Commissioner
169 Manchester Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-3561
New Jersey
Mr. Jeff Connor
Commissioner of Banking
20 West State Street CN-040
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 292-3420
New Mexico
Mr. Kenneth J. Carson, Jr.
Director
Financial Institutions Division
P.O. Box 25101
Santa Fe, NM 87504
(505) 827-7100
New York
Mr. Derrick D. Cephas
Superintendent of Banks
Two Rector Street
New York, NY 10006-1894
(212) 618-6642
1 (800) 522-3330 (toll free in NY-general consumer information) 1
(800) 832-1838 (toll free in NY-Community Reinvestment Unit) North
Carolina
Mr. William T. Graham
Commissioner of Banks
P.O. Box 29512
Raleigh, NC 27626-0512
(919) 733-3016
North Dakota
Mr. Gary D. Preszler
Commissioner of Banking and Financial Institutions
600 East Boulevard, 13th Floor
Bismarck, ND 58505-0080
(701) 224-2256
Ohio
Ms. Alison M. Meeks
Superintendent of Banks
77 South High Street
21st Floor
Columbus, OH 43266-0549
(614) 466-2932
Oklahoma
Mr. Mick Thompson
Bank Commissioner
4100 North Lincoln Boulevard
2nd Floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-2783
Oregon
Mr. Cecil R. Monroe
Administrator
Division of Finance and Corporate Securities
21 Labor and Industries Building
Salem, OR 97310
(503) 378-4140
Pennsylvania
Ms. Sarah W. Hargrove
Secretary of Banking
333 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 787-6991
1 (800) PA-BANKS (toll free in PA)
Puerto Rico
Mr. Hector M. Mayol, Jr.
Commissioner of Financial Institutions
1492 Ponce de Leon Avenue
Suite 600
San Juan, PR 00907-4022
(809) 781-0545
Rhode Island
Mr. Edward D. Pare Jr.
Associate Director and Superintendent of Banking
233 Richmond Street
Suite 231
Providence, RI 02903-4231
(401) 277-2405
(401) 277-2223 (TDD)
South Carolina
Mr. Louie A. Jacobs
Commissioner of Banking
1015 Sumter Street, Room 309
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-2001
South Dakota
Mr. Richard A. Duncan
Director of Banking
State Capitol Building
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
(605) 773-3421
Tennessee
Mr. Talmadge Gilley
Commissioner
Financial Institutions
John Sevier Building
4th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0705
(615) 741-2236
Texas
Ms. Catherine A. Ghiglieri
Banking Commissioner
2601 North Lamar
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 479-1300
Utah
Mr. G. Edward Leary
Commissioner
Financial Institutions
P.O. Box 89
Salt Lake City, UT 84110
(801) 538-8830
Vermont
Ms. Elizabeth Costle
Commissioner
Banking, Insurance and Securities
89 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
(802) 828-3301
Virgin Islands
Mr. Derek M. Hodge
Lieutenant Governor
Commissioner of Banking
Kongens Gade 18
St. Thomas, VI 00802
(809) 774-2991
Virginia
Mr. Sidney A. Bailey
Commissioner
Financial Institutions
1300 E. Main St., Suite 800
P.O. Box 640
Richmond, VA 23205-0640
(804) 371-9657
1 (800) 552-7945 (toll free in VA)
Washington
Mr. John L. Bley
Supervisor of Banking
P.O. Box 41026
Olympia, WA 98504-1026
(206) 753-6520
West Virginia
Ms. Sharon G. Bias
Commissioner of Banking
State Capitol Complex
Building 3, Room 311
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV 25305-0240
(304) 558-2294
1 (800) 642-9056 (toll free in WV)
Wisconsin
Mr. Richard L. Dean
Commissioner of Banking
101 E. Wilson, 5th Floor
Madison, WI 53707-7876
(608) 266-1621
1 (800) 452-3328 (toll free in WI-complaints only)
Wyoming
Ms. Sue E. Mecca
Commissioner
Division of Banking
Herschler Building
3rd Floor East
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7797
State Insurance Regulators
Each state has its own laws and regulations for all types of
insurance, including car, homeowner and health insurance. The
officials listed below enforce these laws. Many of these offices
can provide you with information to help you make informed
insurance buying decisions. Your local library also will have
information that can help you compare insurance companies before
making a purchase.
If you have a question or complaint about your insurance
company's policies, contact the company before you contact the
state insurance regulator.
Alabama
Mr. Mike Weaver
Insurance Commissioner
135 South Union Street #200
Montgomery, AL 36130
(205) 269-3550
Alaska
The Honorable David J. Walsh
Director of Insurance
P.O. Box 110805
Juneau, AK 99811-0805
(907) 465-2515
Ms. Thelma Walker
Deputy Director
Division of Insurance
800 E. Dimond Boulevard
Suite 3-560
Anchorage, AK 99515-2045
(907) 349-1230
American Samoa
Insurance Commissioner
Office of the Governor
Pago Pago, AS 96799
Arizona
Ms. Susan Gallinger
Director of Insurance
3030 North Third Street
Suite 1100
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 255-5400
Arkansas
Mr. Lee Douglass
Insurance Commissioner
1123 S. University Avenue
Suite 400, University Tower Building
Little Rock, AR 72204-1699
(501) 686-2900
California
Mr. John Garamendi
Commissioner of Insurance
770 L Street, Suite 1120
Sacramento, CA 95814
1 (800) 927-HELP (toll free in CA-complaints)
Colorado
Ms. Joanne Hill
Commissioner of Insurance
1560 Broadway St., Suite 850
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 894-7499
Connecticut
Mr. Robert R. Googins
Insurance Commissioner
P.O. Box 816
Hartford, CT 06142-0816
(203) 297-3800
Delaware
Mrs. Donna Lee H. Williams
Insurance Commissioner
841 Silver Lake Boulevard
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-4251
1 (800) 282-8611 (toll free in DE)
District of Columbia
Mr. Robert M. Willis
Superintendent of Insurance
441 4th Street, N.W.
One Judiciary Square
8th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-8000
Florida
Mr. Tom Gallagher
Insurance Commissioner
Plaza Level Eleven-The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0300
(904) 922-3100
1 (800) 342-2762 (toll free in FL)
Georgia
Mr. Tim Ryles
Insurance Commissioner
2 Martin L. King, Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-2056
Guam
Mr. Joaquin Blaz
Insurance Commissioner
855 West Marine Drive
Agana, GU 96910
Hawaii
Ms. Linda Chu Takayama
Insurance Commissioner
P.O. Box 3614
Honolulu, HI 96811-3614
(808) 586-2790
Idaho
Mr. Harry Walrath
Director of Insurance
700 W. State Street
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-4250
Illinois
Mr. Stephen F. Selcke
Director of Insurance
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62767
(217) 782-4515
(217) 524-4872 (TDD)
Indiana
Mr. John (Jack) F. Mortell
Commissioner of Insurance
311 West Washington Street
Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2787
(317) 232-3520
1 (800) 622-4461 (toll free in IN-complaints)
Iowa
Mr. David Lyons
Insurance Commissioner
Lucas State Office Building
6th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5705
Kansas
Mr. Ron Todd
Commissioner of Insurance
420 S.W. 9th Street
Topeka, KS 66612
(913) 296-3071
1 (800) 432-2484 (toll free in KS)
Kentucky
Mr. Don W. Stephens
Insurance Commissioner
229 West Main Street
P.O. Box 517
Frankfort, KY 40602
(502) 564-3630
Louisiana
Mr. James H. "Jim" Brown, Jr.
Commissioner of Insurance
P.O. Box 94214
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9214
(504) 342-5900
Maine
Mr. Brian Atchinson
Superintendent of Insurance
State House Station 34
Augusta, ME 04333-0034
(207) 582-8707
Maryland
Mr. Dwight K. Bartlett, III
Insurance Commissioner
Maryland Insurance Administration
501 St. Paul Place
7th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 333-6300
Massachusetts
Ms. Kay Doughty
Commissioner of Insurance
280 Friend Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 727-7189, ext. 300 (consumer service number)
Michigan
Mr. David Dykhouse
Commissioner of Insurance
Insurance Bureau
P.O. Box 30220
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-9273
Minnesota
Mr. Bert J. McKasy
Commissioner of Commerce
133 East 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
(612) 296-2594
Mississippi
Mr. George Dale
Commissioner of Insurance
1804 Walter Sillers Building
550 High Street
Jackson, MS 39201-1190
(601) 359-3569
1 (800) 562-2957 (toll free in MS-claims only)
Missouri
Mr. Jay Angoff
Director of Insurance
301 West High Street
Room 630
P.O. Box 690
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-4126
(314) 526-4536 (TDD)
1 (800) 726-7390 (toll free in MO)
Montana
Mr. Mark O'Keefe
Commissioner of Insurance
P.O. Box 4009
Helena, MT 59604-4009
(406) 444-2040
1 (800) 332-6148 (toll free in MT)
(406) 444-3497 (FAX)
Nebraska
Mr. William H. McCartney
Director of Insurance
941 "O" Street, Suite 400
Lincoln, NE 68508
(402) 471-2201
(402) 471-4610 (FAX)
Nevada
Ms. Teresa P. Froncek Rankin
Commissioner of Insurance
1665 Hot Springs Road #152
Capitol Complex
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 687-4270
1 (800) 992-0900 (toll free in NV)
New Hampshire
Mr. Louis E. Bergeron
Insurance Commissioner
169 Manchester Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2261
1 (800) 852-3416 (toll free in NH-consumer services)
New Jersey
Mr. Samuel F. Fortunato
Commissioner
Department of Insurance
20 West State Street
CN325
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 292-5363
New Mexico
Mr. Fabian Chavez
Superintendent of Insurance
PERA Building, Room 428
P.O. Drawer 1269
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1269
(505) 827-4500
New York
Mr. Salvatore R. Curiale
Superintendent of Insurance
160 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013-3393
(212) 602-0429
1 (800) 342-3736 (toll free in NY--consumer services)
North Carolina
Mr. James E. Long
Commissioner of Insurance
Dobbs Building
P.O. Box 26387
Raleigh, NC 27611
(919) 733-7343
1 (800) 662-7777 (toll free in NC)
North Dakota
Mr. Glenn R. Pomeroy
Commissioner of Insurance
Capitol Building, 5th Floor
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0320
(701) 224-2440
1 (800) 247-0560 (toll free in ND)
Ohio
Mr. Harold T. Duryee
Director of Insurance
2100 Stella Court
Columbus, OH 43266-0566
(614) 644-2651
Consumer Services
(614) 644-2673
1 (800) 686-1526 (toll free in OH)
Fraud Division
(614) 644-2671
1 (800) 686-1527 (toll free in OH)
Oklahoma
Ms. Cathy Weatherford
Insurance Commissioner
P.O. Box 53408
Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3408
(405) 521-2828
1 (800) 522-0071 (toll free in OK)
Oregon
Mr. Gary K. Weeks
Insurance Commissioner
21 Labor and Industries Bldg.
Salem, OR 97310-0765
(503) 378-4120
Pennsylvania
Ms. Cynthia M. Maleski
Insurance Commissioner
Strawberry Square, 13th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-0442
Puerto Rico
Mr. Juan Antonio García
Commissioner of Insurance
Fernandez Juncos Station
P.O. Box 8330
Santurce, PR 00910
(809) 722-8686
Rhode Island
Mr. Sheldon Whitehouse
Insurance Commissioner
233 Richmond Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 277-2246
South Carolina
Mr. John G. Richards V
Chief Insurance Commissioner
P.O. Box 100105
Columbia, SC 29202-3105
(803) 737-6117
1 (800) 768-3467 (toll free in SC-consumer department)
South Dakota
Ms. Darla L. Lyon
Director of Insurance
Insurance Building
910 East Sioux Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-3940
(605) 773-3563
Tennessee
Ms. Elaine A. McReynolds
Commissioner of Insurance
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0565
(615) 741-2241
1 (800) 342-4029 (toll free in TN)
Texas
Mr. Robert Schneider
Associate Commissioner
Consumer Services
Texas Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 149091
Austin, TX 78714-9091
(512) 463-6500
1 (800) 252-3439 (toll free in TX--complaints)
Utah
Mr. Robert E. Wilcox
Commissioner of Insurance
3110 State Office Building
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 538-3804
Vermont
Ms. Elizabeth R. Costle
Commissioner
Department of Banking, Insurance and Securities
89 Main Street, Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
(802) 828-3301
Virgin Islands
Mr. Derek M. Hodge
Commissioner of Insurance
Kongens Gade 18
St. Thomas, VI 00802
(809) 774-2991
Virginia
Mr. Steven T. Foster
Commissioner of Insurance
Tyler Building
P.O. Box 1157
Richmond, VA 23209
(804) 371-9741
(804) 225-3806 (TDD)
1 (800) 552-7945 (toll free in VA)
Washington
Ms. Deborah Senn
Insurance Commissioner
Insurance Building
P.O. Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98504-0255
(206) 753-7301
1 (800) 562-6900 (toll free in WA)
West Virginia
Mr. Hanley C. Clark
Insurance Commissioner
2019 Washington Street, East
P.O. Box 50540
Charleston, WV 25305-0540
(304) 348-3394
1 (800) 642-9004 (toll free in WV)
Wisconsin
Ms. Josephine W. Musser
Commissioner of Insurance
P.O. Box 7873
Madison, WI 53707-7873
(608) 266-3585
1 (800) 236-8517 (toll free in WI-complaints)
Wyoming
Mr. John McBride
Commissioner of Insurance
Herschler Building
122 West 25th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0440
(307) 777-7401
1 (800) 438-5768 (toll free in WY)
State Securities Administrators
Each state has its own laws and regulations for securities
brokers and all types of securities, including stocks, mutual
funds, commodities, real estate offerings, uninsured investment
products sold by banks and others. The officials and agencies
listed below enforce these laws and regulations. Many of these
offices can provide you with information to help you make
informed investment decisions.
State securities agencies are also responsible for preventing fraud
and abuse in the sale of all but the largest securities offerings.
If you have a question or complaint about an investment you have
made or are about to make, call the company or the bank involved.
If your complaint or question is not resolved, call the
appropriate state securities agency below.
Alabama
Mr. Robert B. Rinehart
Director
Securities Commission
770 Washington Street, Suite 570
Montgomery, AL 36130-4700
(205) 242-2984
(205) 242-0240
Alaska
Mr. L. P. Carroll
Senior Examiner, State of Alaska
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
Banking and Securities
P.O. Box 110807
Juneau, AK 99811-0807
(907) 465-2521
Arizona
Duty Investigator
Corporation Commission
Securities Division
1300 West Washington, Third floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-4242
(602) 542-3583(fax)
Arkansas
Mr. Joe E. Madden, Jr.
Commissioner
Securities Department
Heritage West Building
201 East Markham, 3rd Floor
Little Rock, AR 72201-1692
(501) 324-9260
(501) 324-9268 (fax)
California
Commissioner
Department of Corporations
3700 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90010-3001
(213) 736-2741
(213) 736-3593 (fax)
Colorado
Mr. Philip A. Feigin
Securities Commissioner
Division of Securities
1580 Lincoln, Suite 420
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 894-2320
Connecticut
Mr. Ralph M. Shulansky
Banking Commissioner
Department of Banking
44 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
(203) 566-4560
(203) 566-8382 (fax)
Delaware
Mr. Richard W. Hubbard
Securities Commissioner
Department of Justice
Division of Securities
State Office Building
820 N. French Street, 8th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 577-2515
(302) 655-0576 (fax)
District of Columbia
Mr. James F. Whitescarver, Jr.
Director of Securities
D.C. Securities Commission
450 5th Street, N.W., Suite 821
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 626-5105
Florida
Mr. Gerald Lewis
Office of Comptroller
Department of Banking
and Finance
State of Florida
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0350
(904) 488-9805
1 (800) 438-5326 (toll free in Florida)
(904) 681-2428 (fax)
Georgia
Mr. Max Cleland
Secretary of State
Office of the Secretary of State
Division of Business Services and Regulation
Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Suite 315, West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-2894
(404) 651-9059 (fax)
Hawaii
Ms. Lynn Y. Wakatsuki
Commissioner of Securities
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 40
Honolulu, HI 96810
(808) 586-2744
(808) 586-2740 (Securities Enforcement Unit)
(808) 586-2733 (fax)
Idaho
Mr. Belton J. Patty, Director
Department of Finance
Mr. R. Wayne Klein, Bureau Chief
Securities Bureau
700 West State Street
Statehouse Maiil
Boise, ID 83720-2700
(208) 334-3684
(208) 334-2216 (fax)
Illinois
Director
Illinois Securities Department
Office of Secretary of State George H. Ryan
900 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 782-2256
1 (800) 628-7937 (toll free)
Indiana
Mr. Stephan L. Hodge
Securities Commissioner
Office of the Secretary of State
Securities Division
302 West Washington, Room E-111
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-6681
1 (800) 223-8791 (toll free)
(317) 233-3675 (FAX)
Iowa
Enforcement Section
Securities Bureau
Lucas State Office Building
2nd Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-4441
Kansas
Mr. James W. Parrish
Securities Commissioner
Office of the Securities Commissioner
618 South Kansas Avenue, 2nd Floor
Topeka, KA 66603-3804
(913) 296-3307
(913) 296-6872 (fax)
Kentucky
Mr. Edward B. Hatchett, Jr.
Commissioner of Financial Institutions
477 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601-3868
(502) 564-3390
(502) 564-8787 (fax)
Lousiana
Mr. Harry C. Stansbury
Deputy Commissioner of Securities
Securities Commission
Energy Centre
1100 Poydras Street, Suite 2250
New Orleans, LA 70163
(504) 568-5515
Maine
Mr. Stephen L. Diamond
Securities Administrator
Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
Bureau of Banking
Securities Division
State House Station 121
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 582-8760
Maryland
Mr. Robert N. McDonald
Securities Commissioner
Office of the Attorney General
Division of Securities
200 Saint Paul Place, 20th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202-2020
(410) 576-6360
(410) 576-6372 (TDD)
(410) 576-6532 (FAX)
Massachusetts
Mr. Michael Joseph Connolly
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Securities Division
One Ashburton Place, Room 1701
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-3548
Michigan
Mr. Carl L. Tyson, Director
Corporation & Securities Bureau
Department of Commerce
6546 Mercantile Way
P.O. Box 30222
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 334-6212
(517) 334-6155 (fax)
Minnesota
Mr. James E. Ulland
Commissioner of Commerce
Department of Commerce
133 East Seventh Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
(612) 296-4026
(612) 296-4328 (fax)
Mississippi
Ms. Susan A. Shands
Assistant Secretary of State
Securities and Business Services Division
P.O. Box 136
Jackson, MS 39205
or
202 North Congress Street
Suite 601
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 359-6371
(601) 359-2894 (fax)
Missouri
Ms. Judith K. Moriarty
Secretary of State
Office of the Secretary of State
Box 1276
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-4136
1 (800) 721-7996 (toll free)
(314) 526-3124 (fax)
Montana
Mr. Mark O'Keefe
State Auditor & Securities Commissioner
Office of the State Auditor
Securities Department
P.O. Box 4009
Helena, MT 59604
(406) 444-2040
Nebraska
Mr. Jack Herstein
Assistant Director
Department of Banking & Finance
Bureau of Securities
P.O. Box 95006
Lincoln, NE 68509-5006
(402) 471-3445
Nevada
Mr. Donald J. Reis
Deputy Secretary of State
Office of the Secretary of State
Securities Division
1771 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 212B
Las Vegas, NV 89158
(702) 486-6440
1 (800) 758-6440 (toll free in NV)
(702) 486-6408 (FAX)
New Hampshire
Mr. Peter C. Hildreth
Director of Securities
Bureau of Securities Regulation
Department of State
State House, Room 204
Concord, NH 03301-4989
(603) 271-1463
(603) 224-1427 (fax)
(603 225-4033 (TTY/TDD Relay)
New Jersey
Mr. A. Jared Silverman
Bureau Chief
Department of Law and
Public Safety
Division of Consumer Affairs
Bureau of Securities
P.O. Box 47029
Newark, NJ 07101
(201) 504-3600
(201) 504-3601 (fax)
New Mexico
Ms. Nancy M. Smith, Director
Regulation & Licensing Department
Securities Division
725 St. Michaels Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 827-7140 (general
information)
(505) 984-0617 (fax)
New York
Mr. Robert Abrams
Attorney General
Department of Law
Bureau of Investor Protection and Securities
120 Broadway, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10271
(212) 416-8200
(212) 416-8816 (fax)
North Carolina
Mr. Rufus L. Edmisten
Secretary of State
Department of the Secretary of State
Securities Division
300 North Salisbury Street, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27603-5909
(919) 733-3924
(919) 821-0818 (fax)
North Dakota
Ms. Nancy Lewis
Office of the Securities Commissioner
600 East Boulevard
Bismarck, ND 58505-0510
(701) 224-2910
1 (800) 297-5124 (toll free)
(701) 255-3113 (fax)
Ohio
Mr. Mark V. Holderman
Commissioner
Division of Securities
77 South High Street, 22nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 644-7381
(614) 466-3316 (fax)
Oklahoma
Mr. Irving L. Faught
Administrator
Department of Securities
Journal Record Building
621 N. Robinson, Suite 400
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 235-0230
(405) 235-0579 (fax)
Oregon
Mr. Kerry E. Barnett
Department of Consumer and Business Services
Division of Finance & Corporate Securities
21 Labor & Industries Building
Salem, OR 97310
(503) 378-4387 (Corporate Securities Section)
(503) 378-4140 (Finance Section)
(503) 378-4178 (fax)
Pennsylvania
Mr. Robert M. Lam, Chairman
Securities Commission
Eastgate Office Building
1010 North 7th Street, 2nd Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17102-1410
(717) 787-8061
1 (800) 654-5984 (toll free-TDD/AT&T Relay Center)
(717) 783-5122 (fax)
Puerto Rico
Mr. Hector M. Mayol, Jr.
Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions
Securities Division
Centro Europa Building
Suite 600
1492 Ponce de Leon Avenue
San Juan, PR 00907-4127
(809) 723-3131
(809) 723-3857 (FAX)
Mr. Juan Rivera Reyes
Assistant Securities Commissioner
(809) 723-8359
(809) 723-8403
Mr. Felipe B. Cruz
Associate Director Securities
(809) 723-8445 (Hot Line)
Rhode Island
Ms. Linda M. Cohen
Associate Director and Superintendent of Securities
Department of Business Regulation
233 Richmond Street, Suite 232
Providence, RI 02903-4232
(401) 277-3048
(401) 273-5202 (fax)
South Carolina
Mr. Jim Miles
Secretary of State & Securities Commissioner
Department of State
Securities Division
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 501
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-1087
(803) 252-5524 (fax)
South Dakota
Mr. Gail Sheppick
Enforcement Director
Division of Securities
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-2080
(605) 773-4823
(605) 773-5953 (fax)
Tennessee
Mr. Kenneth T. McClellan
Assistant Commissioner
Department of Commerce
and Insurance
Securities Division
Volunteer Plaza, Suite 680
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0485
(615) 741-2947
(615) 259-9222 (FAX)
(615) 741-4000 (fax)
Texas
Ms. Denise Voigt Crawford
Securities Commissioner
State Securities Board
P.O. Box 13167
Austin, TX 78711-3167
(512) 474-2233
(512) 479-8971 (fax)
Utah
Mr. Mark J. Griffin
Director, Securities Division
Department of Commerce
P.O. Box 45808
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0808
(801) 530-6600
(801) 530-6980 (fax)
Vermont
Mr. Richard S. Cortese
Deputy Commissioner
Department of Banking, Insurance & Securities
Securities Division
89 Main Street, Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101
(802) 828-3420
Virginia
Mr. Lewis W. Brothers, Jr.
Director
State Corporation Commission
Division of Securities & Retail Franchising
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23209
(804) 371-9051
1 (800) 552-7945 (toll free in VA)
(804) 371-9911 (fax)
Washington
Ms. Deborah Bortner
Assistant Administrator
Department of Financial Institutions
Securities Division
P.O. Box 9033
Olympia, WA 98507-9033
(206) 753-6928
(206) 664-8126 (TDD)
(206) 586-5068 (fax)
West Virginia
Mr. Glenn M. Nichols
Executive Director of Securities
State Auditor's Office
Securities Division
State Capitol Building
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Room 118-West
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 558-2257
(304) 344-2229 (fax)
Wisconsin
Mr. Daniel J. Eastman
Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
of Securities
P.O. Box 1768
Madison, WI 53702-1768
(608) 266-3431
(608) 256-1259 (fax)
Wyoming
Ms. Kathy Karpan
Secretary of State & Securities Commissioner
Securities Division
State Capitol Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020
(307) 777-7370
State Utility Commissions
State utility commissions regulate consumer service and rates for
gas, electricity and a variety of other services within your state.
These services include rates for telephone calls and moving
household goods. In some states, the utility commissions regulate
water and transportation rates. Rates for utilities and services
provided between states are regulated by the Federal government.
Many utility commissions handle consumer complaints. Sometimes, if
a number of complaints are received about the same utility matter,
they will conduct investigations.
Alabama
Mr. James Sullivan
President
Public Service Commission
P.O. Box 991
Montgomery, AL 36101-0991
(205) 242-5207
1 (800) 392-8050 (toll free in AL)
Alaska
Mr. Robert A. Lohr
Executive Director
Alaska Public Utilities Commission
1016 West 6th Avenue
Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 276-6222
(907) 276-0160 (FAX)
Arizona
Mr. Renz Jennings
Commissioner
Corporation Commission
1200 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-3935
(602) 255-2105 (TDD)
1 (800) 222-7000 (toll free in AZ)
Arkansas
Mr. Sam I. Bratton, Jr.
Chairman
Public Service Commission
P.O. Box 400
Little Rock, AR 72203-0400
(501) 682-1453
1 (800) 482-1164 (toll free in AR-complaints)
California
Mr. Daniel Wm. Fessler
President
Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Avenue
Room 5218
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 703-3703
(415) 703-2032 (TDD)
1 (800) 649-7570 (toll free in CA-complaints)
Colorado
Mr. Robert E. Temmer
Chairman
Public Utilities Commission
1580 Logan Street
Logan Tower--Office Level 2
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 894-2021
1 (800) 888-0170 (toll free in CO)
Connecticut
Mr. Clifton Leonhardt
Chairperson
Department of Public Utility Control
1 Central Park Plaza
New Britain, CT 06051
(203) 827-1553
1 (800) 382-4586 (toll free in CT)
Delaware
Ms. Nancy M. Norling
Chairman
Public Service Commission
1560 South DuPont Highway
P.O. Box 457
Dover, DE 19903
(302) 739-4247
1 (800) 282-8574 (toll free in DE)
District of Columbia
Mr. Howard C. Davenport
Chairperson
Public Service Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 626-5110
Florida
Mr. J. Terry Deason
Chairman
Public Service Commission
101 East Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850
(904) 488-7238
1 (800) 342-3552 (toll free in FL)
Georgia
Mr. Bob Durden
Commissioner
Public Service Commission
244 Washington Street, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-4512
1 (800) 282-5813 (toll free in GA)
Hawaii
Mr. Yukio Naito
Chairman
Public Utilities Commission
465 South King Street
Room 103
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-2020
Idaho
Ms. Marsha H. Smith
President
Public Utilities Commission
State House
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 334-3912
Illinois
Ms. Ellen C. Craig
Chairman
Illinois Commerce Commission
527 East Capitol Avenue
P.O. Box 19280
Springfield, IL 62794-9280
(217) 782-7907
(217) 782-7434 (TDD)
Indiana
Mr. James Monk
Chairman
Utility Regulatory Commission
E306 IGC South
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-2701
Iowa
Mr. Dennis J. Nagel
Chairman, Iowa Utilities Board
Lucas State Office Building
5th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5979
Kansas
Mr. Jim Robinson, Chairman
State Corporation Commission
1500 SW Arrowhead Road
Topeka, KS 66604-4027
(913) 271-3166
1 (800) 662-0027 (toll free in KS)
Kentucky
Mr. George E. Overbey, Jr.
Chairman
Public Service Commission
730 Schenkel Lane
P.O. Box 615
Frankfort, KY 40602
(502) 564-3940
Louisiana
Ms. Irma Muse Dixon
Public Service Commissioner
P.O. Box 91154
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9154
(504) 342-6687
1 (800) 256-2413 (toll free in LA)
Maine
Mr. Thomas C. Welch
Chairman
Public Utilities Commission
State House Station 18
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 289-3831
1 (800) 452-4699 (toll free in ME)
Maryland
Mr. Frank B. Fulton, Jr.
Director of Consumer Assistance
Public Service Commission
231 East Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 333-6000
1 (800) 492-0474 (toll free in MD)
Massachusetts
Mr. Kenneth Gordon
Chairman
Department of Public Utilities
100 Cambridge Street
12th Floor
Boston, MA 02202
(617) 727-3500
Michigan
Mr. Steven Fetter
Chairperson
Public Service Commission
6545 Mercantile Way
P.O. Box 30221
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 334-6445
1 (800) 292-9555 (toll free in MI
1 (800) 443-8926 (toll free TDD in MI)
Minnesota
Mr. Don Storm, Chairman
Public Utilities Commission
121 Seventh Place East
Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101-2147
(612) 296-7124
(612) 297-1200 (TDD)
1 (800) 657-3782 (toll free in MN)
Mississippi
Mr. Neilson Cochran
Chairman
Public Service Commission
P.O. Box 1174
Jackson, MS 39215
(601) 961-5400
Northern District
1 (800) 356-6428 (toll free in MS)
Central District
1 (800) 356-6430 (toll free in MS)
Southern District
1 (800) 356-6429 (toll free in MS)
Missouri
Mr. Allan G. Mueller
Chairman
Public Service Commission
P.O. Box 360
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(314) 751-3243
1 (800) 392-4211 (toll free in MO)
Montana
Mr. Bob Anderson
Chairman
Public Service Commission
2701 Prospect Avenue
P.O. Box 202601
Helena, MT 59620-2601
(406) 444-6199
Nebraska
Mr. Frank Landis
Chairman
Public Service Commission
300 The Atrium
1200 "N" Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
or
P.O. Box 94927
Lincoln, NE 68509-4927
(402) 471-3101
1 (800) 526-0017 (toll free in NE)
Nevada
Mr. John F. Mendoza
Chairman
Public Service Commission
4045 S. Spencer St.
Suite A-44
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 486-6550
New Hampshire
Mr. Douglas L. Patch
Chairman
Public Utilities Commission
8 Old Suncook Road
Building No. 1
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2431
1 (800) 852-3793
(toll free in NH)
New Jersey
Mr. Edward H. Salmon
Chairman
Mr. Jeremiah F. O'Connor
Commissioner
Ms. Carmen J. Armenti
Commissioner
Board of Public Utilities
Two Gateway Center
Newark, NJ 07102
(201) 648-2027
(201) 648-7983 (TDD)
1 (800) 621-0241 (toll free in NJ)
New Mexico
Mr. Lawrence B. Ingram
Chairman
New Mexico Public Utility Commission
Marian Hall
224 East Palace Avenue
Sante Fe, NM 87501-2013
(505) 827-6940
New York
Mr. Peter A. Bradford
Chairman
Public Service Commission
3 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12223
(518) 474-5527
1 (800) 342-3377 (toll free in NY-complaints)
1 (800) 342-3355 (toll free in NY-emergency service cutoff, 7:30
a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday)
North Carolina
Mr. William Redman
Chairman
Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 29510
Raleigh, NC 27626-0510
(919) 733-4249
(919) 733-9277 (consumer services and complaints)
North Dakota
Mr. Leo Reinbold
President
Public Service Commission
State Capitol Building
Bismarck, ND 58505-0480
(701) 224-2400
Ohio
Mr. Craig A. Glazer
Chairman
Public Utilities Commission
180 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43266-0573
(614) 466-3292
(614) 466-8180 (TDD)
1 (800) 686-7826 (toll free in OH-consumer services)
1 (800) 686-1570 (toll free TDD in OH)
Oklahoma
Mr. J. C. Watts
Chairman
Corporation Commission
Jim Thorpe Office Building
2101 Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-2264
1 (800) 522-8154 (toll free in OK)
Oregon
Mr. Ron Eachus, Chairman
Public Utility Commission
550 Capitol St. NE
Salem, OR 97310-1380
(503) 378-6611
1 (800) 522-2404 (toll free in OR)
Pennsylvania
Mr. David W. Rolka
Chairman
Public Utility Commission
P.O. Box 3265
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-4301
1 (800) 782-1110 (toll free in PA)
Puerto Rico
Lda. Nydia E. Rodriguez Martinez
Chairman
Public Service Commission
Call Box 870
Hato Rey, PR 00919-0870
(809) 758-6264
Rhode Island
Mr. James J. Malachowski
Chairman
Public Utilities Commission
100 Orange Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 277-3500 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 341-1000 (toll free in RI)
South Carolina
Mr. Henry G. Yonce
Chairman
Public Service Commission
P.O. Drawer 11649
Columbia, SC 29211
(803) 737-5270
1 (800) 922-1531 (toll free in SC)
South Dakota
Mr. Laska Schoenfelder
Chairman
Public Utilities Commission
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
(605) 773-3201
1 (800) 332-1782 (toll free in SD)
Tennessee
Mr. Frank D. Cochran
Chairman
Public Service Commission
460 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0505
(615) 741-3125
1 (800) 342-8359 (toll free voice/TDD in TN)
Texas
Mr. Robert W. Gee
Chairman
Public Utility Commission
7800 Shoal Creek Boulevard
Suite 400N
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 458-0100
(512) 458-0221 (TDD)
Utah
Mr. Stephen F. Mecham
Chairman
Public Service Commission
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 530-6716
(801) 530-6706 (TDD)
Vermont
Mr. Richard H. Cowart
Chairman
Vermont Public Service Board
89 Main Street, Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-2701
(802) 828-2358
Virgin Islands
Mr. Andrew Rutnik
Chairman
Public Services Commission
P.O. Box 40
Charlotte Amalie
St. Thomas, VI 00804
(809) 776-1291
(809) 774-4971 (FAX)
Virginia
Mr. Theodore V. Morrison Jr.
Chairman
State Corporation Commission
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23209
(804) 371-9208
1 (800) 552-7945 (toll free in VA)
Washington
Ms. Sharon Nelson
Chairman
Utilities and Transportation Commission
P.O. Box 47250
Olympia, WA 98504-7250
(206) 753-6423
1 (800) 562-6150 (toll free in WA)
West Virginia
Mr. Boyce Griffith
Chairman
Public Service Commission
P.O. Box 812
Charleston, WV 25323
(304) 340-0300
1 (800) 344-5113 (toll free in WV)
Wisconsin
Ms. Cheryl L. Parrino
Chairman
Public Service Commission
4802 Sheboygan Avenue (53702)
P.O. Box 7854
Madison, WI 53707-7854
(608) 266-2001
Wyoming
Mr. Bil Tucker
Chairman
Public Service Commission
700 West 21st Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7427
(307) 777-5700 (FAX)
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
State vocational and rehabilitation agencies coordinate and provide
a number of services for disabled persons. These
services can include counseling, evaluation, training and job
placement. There are also services for the sight and hearing
impaired. For more information, call or write the office nearest
you.
Alabama
Ms. Lamona H. Lucas
Director
Division of Rehabilitation Services
P.O. Box 11586
Montgomery, AL 36111-0586
(205) 281-8780
Alaska
Mr. Keith J. Anderson, Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
801 W. 10th St., Suite 200
Juneau, AK 99801-1894
(907) 465-2814 (Voice/TDD)
American Samoa
Mr. Peter Galeai
Director
Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Manpower Resources
Pago Pago, AS 96799
011 (684) 633-2336
Arizona
Mr. Roger J. Hodges
Administrator
Rehabilitation Services Administration (930A)
1789 West Jefferson, 2nd Floor N.W.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-3332
(602) 542-6049 (voice/TDD)
Arkansas
Mr. Bobby C. Simpson
Director
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Division of Vocational & Technical Education
Dept. of Education
P.O. Box 3781
Little Rock, AR 72203
(501) 682-6709
(501) 682-6669 (TDD)
(501) 682-6484 (FAX)
Mr. James C. Hudson
Director
Division of Services for the Blind
Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 3237
Little Rock, AR 72203
(501) 324-9270
California
Mr. William Tainter
Director
Department of Rehabilitation
830 K Street Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-3971 (voice/TDD)
Colorado
Mr. Anthony Francavilla
Manager
Rehabilitation Services
1575 Sherman Street, 4th Floor
Denver, CO 80203-1714
(303) 866-2866 (voice/TDD)
Connecticut
Mr. Richard Carlson
Chief
Division of Client Services
State Department of Human Resources
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
10 Griffin Road North
Windsor, CT 06095
(203) 298-2000
1 (800) 537-2549 (toll free in CT)
Mr. George Precourt
Executive Director
Board of Education and Services for the Blind
170 Ridge Road
Wethersfield, CT 06109
(203) 566-5800
(203) 249-8525
1 (800) 842-4510 (toll free in CT)
Delaware
Ms. Michelle Pointer
Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Delaware Elwyn Institutes
321 East 11th Street, 4th Floor
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 577-2851 (voice/TDD)
Ms. Diane L. Post
Director
Division for the Visually Impaired
Department of Health and Social Services
1901 N. DuPont Hwy.
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 577-4731
District of Columbia
Ms. Ruth Royall Hill
Administrator
D.C. Rehabilitation Services Administration
Department of Human Services
605 G Street N.W., Suite 1111
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-3227
(202) 727-3227 (TDD)
Florida
Jay E. Yourist, Ph.D.
Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Labor and Employment Security
1709 "A" Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0696
(904) 488-6210
(904) 488-2867 (voice/TDD)
Director
Division of Blind Services
Department of Education
2540 Executive Center Circle West
Douglas Building, Room 203
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(904) 488-1330 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 342-1828 (toll free in FL)
Georgia
Ms. Yvonne Johnson
Director
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Department of Human Resources
878 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Room 706
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 894-6670
(404) 894-8558 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 822-9727 (toll free in GA)
Guam
Mr. Norbert Ungacta
Acting Director
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
122 Harmon Plaza, Room B201
Harmon Industrial Park, GU 96911
011 (671) 646-9468
Hawaii
Mr. Neil Shim
Administrator
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind
Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 339
Honolulu, HI 96809
(808) 586-5355
1 (800) 586-5366 (toll free in HI)
Idaho
Mr. George Pelletier, Jr.
Administrator
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Len B. Jordan Building, Room 150
650 West State
Boise, ID 83720-3650
(208) 334-3390
(208) 334-3205 (voice/TDD)
Mr. Edward McHugh
Administrator
Idaho Commission for the Blind
341 West Washington
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 334-3220
1 (800) 542-8688 (toll free in ID)
Illinois
Ms. Audrey McCrimon
Director
Department of Rehabilitation Services
623 East Adams Street
Springfield, IL 62794
(217) 785-0218
(217) 782-5734 (TDD)
Indiana
Mr. Bobby Conner
Commissioner
Department of Human Services
402 West Washington Street
P.O. Box 7083
Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083
(317) 232-6500
(317) 232-1427 (TDD)
1 (800) 545-7763 (toll free in IN)
Iowa
Administrator
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Department of Education
510 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-4311 (voice/TDD)
Mr. R. Creig Slayton
Director
Department for the Blind
524 4th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 281-1333
1 (800) 362-2587 (toll free in IA)
Kansas
Mr. Glen Yancey
Commissioner
Rehabilitation Services
Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
300 S.W. Oakley
Biddle Building, 1st Floor
Topeka, KS 66606
(913) 296-3911
(913) 296-7029 (TDD)
Kentucky
Mr. Sam Serraglio
Commissioner
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Capital Plaza Tower, 9th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4566
(502) 564-4440 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 372-7172 (toll free in KY)
Ms. Priscilla Rogers
Director
Department for the Blind
Workforce Development Cabinet
427 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-4754
Louisiana
Ms. May Nelson
Director
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Department of Social Services
P.O. Box 94371
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9071
(504) 925-4168
(504) 925-4179 (voice/TDD)
Maine
Ms. Pamela A. Tetley
Director
Bureau of Rehabilitation
Department of Human Services
35 Anthony Avenue
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
(207) 624-5300
(207) 626-5322 (voice/TDD)
Mariana Islands
Mr. Manny Villagomez
Chief
Vocational Rehabilitation Division
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
P.O. Box 1521
SaiPan, Mariana Islands 96950
011 (670) 234-6538
Maryland
Mr. James S. Jeffers
Assistant State Superintendent
Division of Rehabilitation Services
State Department of Education
2301 Argonne Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-3276
(410) 554-3277 (TDD)
(410) 554-FAXX (FAX)
Massachusetts
Mr. Charles Crawford
Commissioner
Commission for the Blind
88 Kingston Street
Boston, MA 02111-2227
(617) 727-5550
1 (800) 392-6556 (toll free TDD in MA)
1 (800) 392-6450 (toll free voice in MA)
Mr. Elmer C. Bartels
Commissioner
Rehabilitation Commission
4 Point Place
27-43 Wormwood Street
Boston, MA 02210
(617) 727-2172
(617) 727-9063 (TDD)
Michigan
Ivan Cotman, Ed.D.
Deputy Superintendent for Direct Services
Department of Education
P.O. Box 30010
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-3390
(517) 373-4035 (TDD)
Mr. Philip E. Peterson
Executive Director
Michigan Commission for the Blind
Department of Labor
201 North Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-2062
(517) 335-4592 (voice/TDD)
(517) 373-4025 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 292-4200 (toll free in MI)
Mr. Peter Griswold
State Director
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Department of Education
P.O. Box 30010
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-3391
(517) 373-4031 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 292-5896 (toll free in MI)
Mr. Charles Jones
State Director
Disability Determination Service
Department of Education
P.O. Box 30011
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-7830
1 (800) 366-3404 (toll free in MI)
Minnesota
Ms. Norena A. Hale
Assistant Commissioner
Department of Jobs and Training
Division of Rehabilitation Services
390 North Robert Street
5th Floor
St. Paul, MN 55101
(612) 296-1822
(612) 296-3900 (TDD)
Mr. Richard C. Davis
Assistant Commissioner
Services for the Blind
2200 University Avenue West #240
St. Paul, MN 55114-1840
(612) 642-0500
(612) 642-0506 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 652-9000 (toll free in MN)
Mississippi
Mr. Joe Carballo
Office Director
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind
P.O. Box 4872
Jackson, MS 39296
(601) 936-0276
Dr. Nell C. Carney
Executive Director
Vocational Rehabilitation Division
Department of Rehabilitation Services
P.O. Box 22806
Jackson, MS 39225
(601) 936-0200
1 (800) 943-1000 (toll free in MS)
Missouri
Mr. Don L. Gann, Ed.D.
Assistant Commissioner
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
State Department of Education
2401 East McCarty
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(314) 751-3251 (voice/TDD)
Mr. David S. Vogel
Deputy Director
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind
Division of Family Services
619 East Capitol
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(314) 751-4249
Montana
Mr. Joe A. Mathews
Administrator
Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitative/Visual Services Divisions
P.O. Box 4210
Helena, MT 59604
(406) 444-2590 (voice/TDD)
Nebraska
Jason D. Andrew, Ph.D.
Associate Commissioner
Division of Rehabilitation Services
State Department of Education
P.O. Box 94987
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-3649
(402) 471-3659 (voice/TDD)
James S. Nyman, Ph.D.
Director
Services for the Visually Impaired
Department of Public Institutions
4600 Valley Road
Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 471-2891 (voice/TDD)
Nevada
Mr. Stephen A. Shaw
Administrator
Department of Human Resources
Rehabilitation Division
505 East King Street
Room 502
Carson City, NV 89710
(702) 687-4440 (voice/TDD)
New Hampshire
Mr. Bruce A. Archambault
Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
State Department of Education
78 Regional Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-3800
(603) 271-3471 (voice/TDD)
New Jersey
Mrs. Jamie Casabianca Hilton
Executive Director
New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
P.O. Box 47017
153 Halsey Street, 6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07101
(201) 648-2324
(201) 648-4559 (TDD)
(201) 648-6276 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 962-1233 (toll free in NJ)(voice/TDD)
Mr. Thomas G. Jennings
Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Labor Building
CN 398-Room 612
Trenton, NJ 08625-0398
(609) 292-5987
(609) 292-2919 (voice/TDD)
New Mexico
Mr. Andy Winnigar
Director
Department of Education
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
435 St. Michaels Dr.
Bldg. D
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 827-3500 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 235-5387 (toll free-complaints)
New York
Mr. Lawrence C. Gloeckler
Deputy Commissioner
Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with
Disabilities
New York State Education Department
One Commerce Plaza
Room 1606
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-2714
(518) 486-3773 (TDD)
1 (800) 222-JOBS (toll free in NY-employment hotline)
Mr. Eugene Luini
Acting Director
State Department of Social Services
Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped
10 Eyck Office Building
40 North Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12243
(518) 473-1801
1 (800) 342-3715 (toll free in NY)
North Carolina
Mr. Claude A. Myer
Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Department of Human Resources
State Office
P.O. Box 26053
Raleigh, NC 27611
(919) 733-3364
(919) 733-5924 (voice/TDD)
Mr. Herman O. Gruber
Director
Division of Services for the Blind
Department of Human Resources
309 Ashe Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 733-9822
(919) 733-9700 (voice/TDD)
North Dakota
Mr. Gene Hysjulien
Associate Director
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Human Services
400 E. Broadway, Suite 303
State Capitol Building
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 224-3999
1 (800) 755-2745 (toll free in ND)
Ohio
Mr. Robert L. Rabe
Administrator
Rehabilitation Services Commission
400 East Campus View Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43235-4604
(614) 438-1210 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 282-4536, ext. 1210 (toll free in OH)
Oklahoma
Mr. Jerry Dunlap
Administrator
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 424-6647
(405) 424-2794 (voice/TDD)
Oregon
Mr. Charles Young
Administrator
Commission for the Blind
535 S.E. 12th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 731-3221 (voice)
(503) 731-3224 (TDD)
Mr. Joil Southwell
Administrator
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Human Resources
Human Resources Bldg.
500 Summer St. NE
Salem, OR 97310-1018
(503) 378-3830 (voice)
(503) 378-3933 (TDD)
Pennsylvania
Mr. Gil Selders
Executive Director
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Labor and Industry Building
7th and Forster Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-5244
(717) 783-8917 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 442-6351 (toll free in PA)
Mr. Norman E. Witman
Director
Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services
Department of Public Welfare
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
(717) 787-6176
(717) 787-6280 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 622-2842 (toll free in PA)
Puerto Rico
Miguel A. Verdiales
Assistant Secretary for Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Social Services
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
P.O. Box 1118, Building 10
Hato Rey, PR 00919
(809) 725-1792
Rhode Island
Mr. William Messore
Administrator
Department of Human Services
Division of Community Services
Office of Rehabilitation Services
40 Fountain Street
Providence, RI 02903-1898
(401) 421-7005
(401) 421-7016 (TDD)
Mr. Thomas J. Thompson
Assistant Administrator
Office of Rehabilitation Services
Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Department of Human Services
275 Westminister Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 277-2300
(401) 277-3010 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 752-8088 (toll free in RI)
South Carolina
Mr. Donald Gist
Commissioner
Commission for the Blind
1430 Confederate Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-7522
1 (800) 922-2222 (toll free in SC)
Mr. Joseph S. Dusenbury
Commissioner
Vocational Rehabilitation Department
1410 Boston Avenue
P.O. Box 15
West Columbia, SC 29171
(803) 822-4300
(803) 822-5313 (voice/TDD)
South Dakota
Mr. David L. Miller
Division Director
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Department of Human Services
East Highway 34, Hillsview Plaza
c/o 500 E. Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
(605) 773-3195(voice/TDD)
Mr. Grady Kickul
Division Director
Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired
East Highway 34
c/o 500 E. Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
(605) 773-4644
(605) 773-4544 (TDD)
Tennessee
Ms. Patsy Mathews
Assistant Commissioner
Rehabilitation Services
Department of Human Services
Citizens Plaza State Office Bldg. 15th Floor
400 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37248-0060
(615) 741-2019 (voice/TDD)
Texas
Mr. Vernon M. Arrell
Commissioner
Rehabilitation Commission
4900 North Lamar
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 483-4001
1 (800) 332-0913 (voice)
Mr. Pat D. Westbrook
Executive Director
Texas Commission for the Blind
P.O. Box 12866 Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 459-2500
(512) 459-2608 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 252-5204 (toll free in TX) (voice/TDD)
Utah
Blaine Petersen, Ed.D.
Executive Director
Utah State Office of Rehabilitation
250 East Fifth South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 538-7530 (voice/TDD)
Mr. William G. Gibson
Director
Services for the Visually Handicapped
State Office of Rehabilitation
309 East First South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 533-9393
1 (800) 284-1823
Vermont
Ms. Diane Dalmasse, Director
Vocational Rehabilitation Division
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-2303
(802) 241-2189 (voice/TDD)
Mr. David Mentasti
Director
Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05676
(802) 241-2211
Virgin Islands
Ms. Sedonie Halbert
Administrator
Division for Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services
Virgin Islands Department of Human Services
Knud Hansen Complex
St. Thomas, VI 00802
(809) 774-0930
Virginia
Ms. Susan Urofsky
Commissioner
Department of Rehabilitative Services
4901 Fitzhugh Avenue
P.O. Box 11045
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 367-0316
(804) 367-0315 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 552-5019 (toll free in VA)
Mr. Donald Cox, Commissioner
Department for the Visually Handicapped
397 Azalea Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 371-3140 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 622-2155 (toll free in VA)
Washington
Ms. Jeanne Munro
Director
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Social and Health Services
P.O. Box 45340
Olympia, WA 98504-5340
(206) 438-8000 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 637-5627 (toll free in WA)
Ms. Shirley Smith
Director
Department of Services for the Blind
521 East Legion Way
P.O. Box 40933
Olympia, WA 98504-0933
(206) 586-1224
(206) 586-6437 (TDD)
West Virginia
Mr. John Panza
Director
Division of Rehabilitation Services
State Board of Rehabilitation
P.O. Box 50890
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305-0890
(304) 766-4600
(304) 766-4970 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 642-3021 (toll free in WV)
Wisconsin
Ms. Judy R. Norman-Nunnery, Ph.D.
Administrator
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Health and Social Services
1 West Wilson, 8th Floor
Madison, WI 53707-7852
(608) 266-5466
(608) 266-1281 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 362-1290 (toll free in WI)
Wyoming
Mr. Gary W. Child
Administrator
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Employment
1 East Herschler Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7385
(307) 777-7389 (voice/TDD)
State Weights and Measures Offices
State weights and measures offices enforce laws and regulations
about the labeling, weight, measure or count of such packaged items
as food and household products. These offices also check the
accuracy of weighing and measuring devices, for example,
supermarket scales, gasoline pumps, taxicab meters and rental car
odometers.
Some city and county offices have weights and measures functions,
in addition to the state offices listed below. Contact the state
office for the appropriate weights and measures office or check
your local telephone directory under the government listings for
your local weights and measures office. The office might be listed
under either the city or county bureau of standards, agriculture or
consumer protection.
Alabama
Mr. Don E. Stagg
Director
Weights and Measures Division
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 3336
Montgomery, AL 36109-0336
(205) 242-2614
1 (800) 321-0018 (toll free in AL)
Alaska
Mr. Edward Moses
Director
Mr. Aves D. Thompson
Chief Inspector
Weights and Measures
Department of Commerce and Economic Development
Division of Measurement Standards
12050 Industry Way
Huffman Business Park
Building O
Anchorage, AK 99515
(907) 345-7750
1 (800) 478-7636 (toll free in AK)
Arizona
Mr. John U. Hays
Director
Department of Weights and Measures
9535 E. Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(602) 255-5211
Arkansas
Mr. James M. Hile
Director
Bureau of Standards
4608 West 61st Street
Little Rock, AR 72209
(501) 324-9681
California
Mr. Darrell A. Guensler
Assistant Director
Division of Measurement Standards
Department of Food and Agriculture
8500 Fruitridge Road
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 387-4241
Colorado
Mr. David Wallace
Chief
Measurements Standards Section
Department of Agriculture
3125 Wyandot Street
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 866-2845
Connecticut
Mr. Allan M. Nelson
Director
Weights and Measures Division
Department of Consumer Protection
State Office Building
Room A-29
165 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
(203) 566-5230
Delaware
Administrator - William Lagemann
Office of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
2320 South DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901-9999
(302) 739-4811
1 (800) 282-8685 (Delaware only)
District of Columbia
Mr. Jeffrey Mason, Lead Inspector
Weights and Measures
Market Branch
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
1110 U Street, S.E.
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 767-7923
Florida
Mr. Max Gray
Chief
Bureau of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
3125 Conner Boulevard
Building #2
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650
(904) 488-9140
Georgia
Mr. Bill Truby
Assistant Commissioner
Division of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-3605
Hawaii
Mr. James E. Maka
Administrator
Measurement Standards
Department of Agriculture
725 Ilalo Street
Honolulu, HI 96813-5524
(808) 586-0886
Idaho
Mr. Glen H. Jex
Chief
Bureau of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
2216 Kellogg Lane
Boise, ID 83712
(208) 334-2345
Illinois
Mr. Sidney A. Colbrook
Manager
Bureau of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
801 East Sangamon Avenue
P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
(217) 782-3817
Indiana
Division Director
Weights and Measures Division
State Department of Health
1330 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1964
(317) 633-0350
Iowa
Mr. Jerry L. Bane
Bureau Chief
Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
H.A. Wallace Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5716
Kansas
Mr. DeVern H. Phillips
State Sealer
Weights and Measures Division
State Board of Agriculture
2016 South West 37th Street
Topeka, KS 66611-2570
(913) 267-4641
Kentucky
Mr. Danny R. Willis
Director
Division of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
106 West Second Street
Frankfort, KY 40601-2882
(502) 564-4870
Louisiana
Mr. Ronald Harrell
Director
Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 3098
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3098
(504) 925-3780
Maine
Mr. Clayton F. Davis
Director
Division of Regulations
State House Station 28
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 289-3841
(207) 289-4470 (TDD)
Maryland
Mr. Louis E. Straub
Chief
Weights and Measures Section
Maryland Department of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-5790
Massachusetts
Mr. Charles H. Carroll
Assistant Director of Standards
Division of Standards
One Ashburton Place
McCormick Building
Room 1115
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-3480
Michigan
Edward Heffron, D.V.M.
Division Director
Food Division
Department of Agriculture
Ottawa Building North
4th Floor
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-1060
Minnesota
Mr. Michael F. Blacik
Director
Division of Weights and Measures
Department of Public Service
2277 Highway 36
St. Paul, MN 55113-3800
(612) 639-4010
Mississippi
Mr. William P. Eldridge
Director Weights and Measures Division
Department of Agriculture
500 Greymont Avenue
Jackson, MS 39215-1609
(601) 354-7077
Missouri
Mr. Lester Barrows
Director
Weights and Measures Division
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 630
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0630
(314) 751-4278
Montana
Mr. W. James Kembel
Bureau Chief
Bureau of Weights and Measures
Department of Commerce
Capitol Station
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3164
Nebraska
Mr. Steven A. Malone
Director
Division of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
301 Centennial Mall South
4th Floor
P.O. Box 94757
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-4292
(402) 471-3252 (FAX)
Nevada
Mr. William H. McCrea
State Supervisor
Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures
P.O. Box 11100
Reno, NV 89510-1100
(702) 688-1166
New Hampshire
Mr. Stephen Taylor
Commissioner
Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Weights and Measures
P.O. Box 2042
Concord, NH 03302-2042
(603) 271-3700
New Jersey
Mr. William J. Wolfe
State Superintendent
State Office of Weights and Measures
1261 Routes 1 and 9 South
Avenel, NJ 07001
(908) 815-4840
New Mexico
Mr. Gary West
Director
Division of Standards and Consumer Services
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 30005, Dept. 3170
Las Cruces, NM 88003-0005
(505) 646-1616
New York
Mr. John J. Bartfai
Director
Bureau of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture & Markets
1 Winners Circle
Albany, NY 12235
(518) 457-3452
North Carolina
Mr. N. David Smith
Director, Standards Division
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 27647-Dept. SD
Raleigh, NC 27611
(919) 733-3313
North Dakota
Mr. Alan Moch
Director
Division of Testing and Safety
State Capitol
Bismarck, ND 58505-0480
(701) 224-2413
1 (800) 932-2400 (toll free in ND)
Ohio
John J. Steinberger, Chief
Division of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
8995 East Main Street, Bldg. 5
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
(614) 866-6361
Oklahoma
Mr. O. Ray Elliott
Director
Agricultural Products Division
Department of Agriculture
2800 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-3864, ext. 243
Oregon
Mr. Kendrick J. Simila
Administrator
Measurement Standards
Department of Agriculture
635 Capitol Street, N. E.
Salem, OR 97310-0110
(503) 378-3792
Pennsylvania
Mr. Neil E. Cashman Jr.
Director
Bureau of Ride and Measurement Standards
Department of Agriculture
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 787-9089
Puerto Rico
Mr. Francisco F. Aponte Ortiz
Auxiliary Secretary for Complaints
Department of Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 41059
Minillas Station
Santurce, PR 00940
(809) 721-3190
Rhode Island
Ms. Lynda L. Maurer
Supervising Meteorologist
Mercantile Division
Department of Labor
610 Manton Avenue
Providence, RI 02909
(401) 272-0700
South Carolina
Mr. Carol P. Fulmer
Assistant Commissioner of Consumer Services Division
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 11280
Columbia, SC 29211-1280
(803) 737-2080
South Dakota
Mr. Michael Kumm
Director
Division of Commercial Inspection and Regulation
118 West Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501-2036
(605) 773-3697
Tennessee
Mr. Robert Williams
Standards Administrator
Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 40627
Melrose Station
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 360-0109
Texas
Mr. Ed Price
Director
Weights and Measures Program
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 12847
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-7602
Utah
Mr. Kyle R. Stephens
Director
Division of Regulatory Services
State Department of Agriculture
350 North Redwood Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
(801) 538-7150
Vermont
Mr. Bruce A. Martell
Supervisor
Consumer Assurance Section
Department of Agriculture, Food & Markets
116 State Street
Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620-2901
(802) 828-2436
Virgin Islands
Ms. Joycelyn Encarnacion
Director
Weights and Measures Division
Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Golden Rock Shopping Center
Christiansted
St. Croix, VI 00820
(809) 773-2226
Virginia
Mr. J. Alan Rogers
Program Manager
Office of Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
P.O. Box 1163, Room 403
Richmond, VA 23209-1163
(804) 786-2476
Washington
Mr. Bob Arrington
Program Manager
Weights and Measures
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
(206) 902-1857
West Virginia
Mr. Karl Angell, Jr., Acting Director
Division of Weights and Measures
Department of Labor
570 W. MacCorkle Avenue
St. Alban, WV 25177
(304) 722-0602
Wisconsin
Ms. Merry Fran Tryon
Director
Bureau of Consumer Protection
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
801 West Badger Road
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-2225
1 (800) 422-7128 (toll free in WI)
Wyoming
Mr. Jim Bigelow
Technical Services Manager
Consumer/Compliance Division
Department of Agriculture
2219 Carey Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0100
(307) 777-6591
Military Commissary and Exchange Contacts
Consumers who shop at military commissaries and exchanges and who
have a question or problem should contact the local manager before
contacting the regional offices listed in this section. If your
problem is not resolved at the local level, then write or call the
regional office nearest you. Be sure to discuss the problem with
the local and regional offices before contacting the national
headquarters of a commissary or exchange.
Defense Commissary Agency
Northwest/Pacific Region
Mr. Roy C. Speight, Director
Defense Commissary Agency
Northwest/Pacific Region
Building 9630
Fort Lewis, WA 98433-7300
(206) 967-3487/3364
357-3487/7496 (DSN)
(206) 967-3663/2231 (FAX)
Southwest Region
Mr. Scott E. Simpson, Acting Director
Defense Commissary Agency
Southwest Region
Marine Corps Air Station El Toro
Building 329, P.O. Box 9600
Santa Ana, CA 92709-6000
(714) 726-4277
997-4277 (DSN)
(714) 726-4278/4279 (FAX)
Midwest Region
Col. James H. Scott, USAF
Commander
Defense Commissary Agency
Midwest Region
300 AFCOMS Way
Kelly Air Force Base, TX 78241-6132
(512) 925-6655
945-6655 (DSN)
(512) 925-2619 (FAX)
Central Region
Mr. Cecil E. Saunders, Director
Defense Commissary Agency
Central Region
1140 Gator Boulevard
Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek
Norfolk, VA 23521-2228
(804) 363-3500
680-3500 (DSN)
(804) 363-3565 (FAX)
Southern Region
Mr. John F. McGowan, Director
Defense Commissary Agency
Southern Region
60 West Maxwell Boulevard
Maxwell Air Force Base, AL 36112-6307
(205) 953-6318
493-6318 (DSN)
(205) 953-5388 (FAX)
493-5388 (DSN FAX)
Northeast Region
Mr. Patrick B. Nixon, Director
Defense Commissary Agency
Northeast Region
Huber Road, Building 2257
Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-5220
(301) 677-9782
923-9782 (DSN)
(301) 621-0532 (FAX)
European Region
Col. Jesse D. Tolleson, USA
Commander
Defense Commissary Agency
Europe Region
DeCA-EU-CC
Unit 3060
Kapaun Air Station, Germany
APO AE 09094-3060
(011) 49-631-3523-150
489-7531/7832 (DSN)
(011) 49-631-3523-102 (FAX)
DeCA Headquarters
Maj. Gen. Richard E. Beale, Jr.
Director
Defense Commissary Agency
38th Street and E Avenue
Fort Lee, VA 23801-6300
(804) 734-8717
687-8717 (DSN)
(804) 861-4036 (FAX)
Army and Air Force Exchange Service
k
Atlantic Coastal Region
P.O. Box 650454
Dallas, TX 75265-0454
(214) 277-7203
Central Plains Region
P.O. Box 660320
Dallas, TX 75266-0320
(214) 277-1960
Desert Mountain Region
P.O. Box 660320
Dallas, TX 75266-0320
(214) 277-1901
Mid South Region
P.O. Box 660320
Dallas, TX 75266-0320
(214) 277-1965
North Eastern Region
P.O. Box 660320
Dallas, TX 75266-0320
(214) 277-1934
Pacific Coastal Region
P.O. Box 650429
Dallas, TX 75265-0429
(214) 277-7403
Pacific Northwest Region
P.O. Box 660320
Dallas, TX 75266-0320
(214) 277-1925
Red River Region
P.O. Box 660320
Dallas, TX 75266-0320
(214) 277-7103
South Atlantic Region
P.O. Box 650447
Dallas, TX 75265-0447
(214) 277-7303
U.S. Headquarters
Army and Air Force Exchange Service Headquarters
Store Operations Directorate (SO)
P.O. Box 660202
Dallas, TX 75266-0202
(214) 312-2952
Marine Corps Exchange Service
Regional Headquarters
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Logistics Support
Base, Atlantic
Albany, GA 31704
(912) 435-1471
Marine Corps Exchange
Headquarters Battalion, HQMC
Henderson Hall
Arlington, VA 22214
(703) 979-8420
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Logistics Base
Barstow, CA 92311
(714) 256-8971
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune, NC 28547
(919) 451-2481
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055
(619) 725-6233
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Air Station
Cherry Point, NC 28533
(919) 447-7041
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Air Station
Kanehoe Bay, HI 96863
(808) 254-5871
Marine Corps Exchange
Camp Elmore
U.S. Marine Corps
Norfolk, VA 23511
(804) 423-1187
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Parris Island, SC 29905
(803) 525-3301
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Combat Development Command
Quantico, VA 22134
(703) 640-8800
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Recruit Depot
San Diego, CA 92140
(619) 297-2500
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Air Station--El Toro
Santa Ana, CA 92709
(714) 726-3340
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Air/Ground
Combat Center
Building 1533
Twentynine Palms, CA 92278
(619) 368-6163
Marine Corps Exchange
Marine Corps Air Station
Yuma, AZ 85364
(602) 726-2363
U.S. Headquarters
Head
Marine Corps Exchange
Service Branch
P.O. Box 1834
Quantico, VA 22134
(703) 640-6156
Navy Exchange Service Centers
Commanding Officer
Navy Exchange Service Center
P.O. Box 13
Naval Air Station
Jacksonville, FL 32212
Commanding Officer
Navy Exchange Service Center
Bldg. CD-1, Naval Base
Norfolk, VA 23511-0001
Commanding Officer
Navy Exchange Service Center
Box 133
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860
Commanding Officer
Navy Exchange Service Center
P.O. Box 150
San Diego, CA 92136-5150
Commanding Officer
U.S. Navy Exchange Service Center Europe
PSC 810, Box 33
FPO AE 09619-0033
Federal Information Center
The Federal Information Center (FIC), administered by the General
Services Administration (GSA), can help you find information about
the Federal government's agencies, services and programs. The FIC
also can tell you which office to contact for help with problems.
Simply call the telephone number below for your metropolitan area
or state. All the "800" numbers on this list are toll free.
These "800" numbers are only for the states and cities listed. If
you are not calling from one of these areas, please dial (301)
722-9000.
Users of Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD/TTY) may call
toll-free from any point in the United States by dialing 1 (800)
326-2996.
Alabama
Birmingham, Mobile
1 (800) 366-2998
Alaska
Anchorage
1 (800) 729-8003
Arizona
Phoenix
1 (800) 359-3997
Arkansas
Little Rock
1 (800) 366-2998
California
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Ana
1 (800) 726-4995
Sacramento
1 (800) 726-4995
Colorado
Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo
1 (800) 359-3997
Connecticut
Hartford, New Haven
1 (800) 347-1997
Florida
Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg,
Tampa, West Palm Beach
1 (800) 347-1997
Georgia
Atlanta
1 (800) 347-1997
Hawaii
Honolulu
1 (800) 726-4995
Illinois
Chicago
1 (800) 366-2998
Indiana
Gary
1 (800) 366-2998
Indianapolis
1 (800) 347-1997
Iowa
All locations
1 (800) 735-8004
Kansas
All locations
1 (800) 735-8004
Kentucky
Louisville
1 (800) 347-1997
Louisiana
New Orleans
1 (800) 366-2998
Maryland
Baltimore
1 (800) 347-1997
Massachusetts
Boston
1 (800) 347-1997
Michigan
Detroit, Grand Rapids
1 (800) 347-1997
Minnesota
Minneapolis
1 (800) 366-2998
Missouri
St. Louis,
1 (800) 368-2998
All other locations
1 (800) 735-8004
Nebraska
Omaha
1 (800) 366-2998
All other locations
1 (800) 735-8004
New Jersey
Newark, Trenton
1 (800) 347-1997
New Mexico
Albuquerque
1 (800) 359-3997
New York
Albany, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, Syracuse
1 (800) 347-1997
North Carolina
Charlotte
1 (800) 347-1997
Ohio
Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo
1 (800) 347-1997
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Tulsa
1 (800) 366-2998
Oregon
Portland
1 (800) 726-4995
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
1 (800) 347-1997
Rhode Island
Providence
1 (800) 347-1997
Tennessee
Chattanooga
1 (800) 347-1997
Memphis, Nashville
1 (800) 366-2998
Texas
Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio
1 (800) 366-2998
Utah
Salt Lake City
1 (800) 359-3997
Virginia
Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke
1 (800) 347-1997
Washington
Tacoma
1 (800) 726-4995
Wisconsin
Milwaukee
1 (800) 366-2998
Selected Federal Agencies
Many Federal agencies have enforcement and/or complaint-handling
duties for products and services used by the general public.
Others act for the benefit of the public, but do not resolve
individual consumer problems.
Agencies also have fact sheets, booklets and other information
which might be helpful in making purchase decisions and dealing
with consumer problems. If you need help in deciding where to go
with your consumer problem, check the index at the end of this book
or call the nearest Federal Information Center listed on page 104.
The Federal agencies listed below respond to consumer complaints
and inquiries.
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 1331 F
Street, N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1111
(202) 272-5434
1 (800) 872-2253 (toll free)
Commission on Civil Rights
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Civil
Rights Commission." If it does not appear, call the appropriate FIC
number (see page xx), or contact:
Commission on Civil Rights
624 9th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20425
1 (800) 552-6843 (toll free-complaint referral outside DC) (202)
376-8513 (complaint referral in DC)
(202) 376-8116 (TDD--nationwide complaint referral)
(202) 376-8128 (publications)
(202) 376-8312 (public affairs)
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
2033 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20581
(202) 254-3067 (complaints only)
(202) 254-8630 (information)
Consumer Information Center (CIC)
CIC publishes the free Consumer Information Catalog which lists
more than 200 free and low-cost Federal booklets on a wide
variety of consumer topics. For a free copy of the Catalog, write
to Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, or call (719) 948-
4000.
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Agricultural Marketing Service
Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 720-7047
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Public Information
Department of Agriculture
Federal Building, Room 613
6505 Belcrest Road
Hyattsville, MD 20782
(301) 436-7799
Cooperative Extension Service
Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 720-0987
Or consult county or city government listings in your local
telephone directory
for the number of your local Cooperative Extension Service
office.
Farmers Home Administration
Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 720-4323
Food and Nutrition Service
Department of Agriculture
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 305-2276
Human Nutrition Information Service
Department of Agriculture
Federal Building
Rooms 360 and 364
6505 Belcrest Road
Hyattsville, MD 20782
(301) 436-8617, 7725
Inspector General's Hotline
Office of the Inspector General
Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 23399
Washington, DC 20026
(202) 690-1622
1 (300) 424-9121 (toll free)
Meat and Poultry Hotline
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 720-3333 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 535-4555 (toll free voice/TDD outside DC)
Office of the Consumer Advisor
Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
(202) 720-3975
Office of Public Affairs
Visitor Information Center
Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
Department of Commerce
Bureau of the Census
Customer Services
Data User Services Division
Washington, DC 20233
(301) 763-4100
Office of Consumer Affairs
Department of Commerce
Room 5718
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 377-5001
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Office of Weights and Measures
Administration Building A617
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
(301) 975-4004
National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of Trade and Industry Services
Department of Commerce
1335 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 713-2355 (inspection and safety)
Constituent Affairs
National Weather Service
Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20901
(301) 713-0258
Metric Program
Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Building 411 Room A146
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
(301) 975-3690
Patent and Trademark Office
Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20231
(301) 305-8341
Department of Defense
Office of National Ombudsman
National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
1555 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22209-2405
(703) 696-1391
1 (800) 336-4590 (toll free outside DC)
Provides assistance with employer/employee problems for members of
the Guard and Reserve and their employers.
Department of Education
Clearinghouse on Disability Information
Department of Education
C Street, S.W., Room 3132
Washington, DC 20202-2524
(202) 205-8241
(202) 205-8723 (TDD)
Consumer Affairs Staff
OIIA
Department of Education
Room 3061
Washington, DC 20202
(202) 401-3679
Federal Student Financial Aid Information Centers
Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
P.O. Box 84
Washington, DC 20044
1 (800) 433-3243 (toll free)
National Clearinghouse on Bilingual Education Hotline
Department of Education
1118 22nd Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 467-0867
1 (800) 321-NCBE (toll free outside DC)
Office of Public Affairs
Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
(202) 401-5986
Department of Energy
For information about conservation and renewable energy:
National Appropriate Technology Assistance Service
Department of Energy
P.O. Box 2525
Butte, MT 59702-2525
1 (800) 428-1718 (toll free in MT)
1 (800) 428-2525 (toll free outside MT)
Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service
Department of Energy
P.O. Box 3048
Merrifield, VA 22116
1 (800) 523-2929 (toll free)
Office of Scientific and Technical Information
Department of Energy
P.O. Box 62
Oak Ridge, TN 37831
(written inquiries only)
Office of Consumer and Public Liaison
Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
(202) 586-5373
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Weatherization Assistance
Inquiries:
Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
(202) 586-2204
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
AIDS Hotline
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
1 (800) 342-AIDS (toll free)
1 (800) 344-7432 (toll free for Spanish speaking)
1 (800) 243-7889 (toll free Spanish TDD)
Cancer Hotline
1 (800) 4-CANCER (toll free)
During daytime hours, callers in California, Florida, Georgia,
Illinois, Northern New Jersey, New York and Texas may ask for
Spanish-speaking staff members.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Health and
Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration." If it
does not appear, call the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or
contact:
Consumer Affairs and Information Staff
Food and Drug Administration
(HFE-88)
Department of Health and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 16-63
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-3170
Division of Beneficiary Services
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)
Department of Health and Human Services
6325 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21207
1 (800) 638-6833 (toll free)
(This is a taped answering service; a specialist will return your
call.)
Hill-Burton Free Hospital Care Hotline
1 (800) 492-0359 (toll free in MD)
1 (800) 638-0742 (toll free outside MD)
Inspector General's Hotline
HHS/OIG/Hotline
P.O. Box 17303
Baltimore, MD 21203-7303
1 (800) 368-5779 (toll free)
National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect
Department of Health and Human Services
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
(202) 205-8586
National Health Information Center
Department of Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 1133
Washington, DC 20013-1133
(301) 565-4167 (Washington Metro Area)
1 (800) 336-4797 (toll free)
National Runaway Switchboard
1 (800) 621-4000 (toll free)
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20447
(202) 401-9373
Office for Civil Rights
Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20201
(202) 619-0403
1 (800) 368-1019 (toll free outside DC)
1 (800) 537-7697 (toll free TDD)
Office of Prepaid
Health Care
Operations and Oversight
HCFA
Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave., S.W.
Room 423 HHH
Washington, DC 20201
(202) 619-3555
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Department of Health and Human Services
701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 272-3421
Second Surgical Opinion Program
Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC 20201
(202) 690-8056
Social Security Administration
1 (800) SSA-1213 (toll free)
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD Fraud Hotline
(202) 708-4200
1 (800) 347-3735 (toll free outside DC)
Interstate Land Sales Registration Division
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Room 6278
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-0502
Manufactured Housing and Construction Standards Division
Department of Housing and Urban Development
L'Enfant Plaza
Room 3214
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 755-7430
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Room 5100
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-4252
1 (800) 669-9777 (toll free-Hotline complaints)
Office of Single Family Housing
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Room 9282
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-3175
Office of Affordable
Housing Program
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Room 7164
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-2685
Title I Insurance Division
Department of Housing and Urban Development
L'Enfant Plaza
Room 3214
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 755-7400
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Department of the Interior
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-3010
Bureau of Land Management
Department of the Interior
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-5717
Office of the Secretary
Department of the Interior
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-3171
National Park Service
Department of the Interior
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-4917
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
Washington, DC 20240
(202) 208-5634
United States Geological Survey
Department of the Interior
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22092
(703) 648-4427
Department of Justice
Antitrust Division
Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 514-2401
Civil Rights Division
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Justice
Department, Civil Rights Division." If it does not appear, call the
appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or contact:
Civil Rights Division
Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 514-2151
(202) 514-0716 (TDD)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Justice
Department, Drug Enforcement Administration." If it does not
appear, call the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or contact:
Drug Enforcement Administration
Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20537
(202) 307-8000
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Look inside the front cover of your telephone directory for the
number of the nearest FBI office. If it does not appear, look under
"U.S. Government, Justice Department, Federal Bureau of
Investigation." You also may contact:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Department of Justice
Washington, DC 20535
(202) 324-3000
Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Justice
Department, Immigration and Naturalization Service." If it does
not appear, call the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or
contact:
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Department of Justice
425 I Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20536
(202) 514-4316
(202) 514-2783 (TDD)
Department of Labor
1 (800) 326-2577 (toll free, 24-hour TDD)
Office of the American Workplace
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-6045
Coordinator of Consumer Affairs
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-6060 (general inquiries)
Employment and Training Administration
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Labor
Department, Employment and Training Administration." If it does not
appear, call the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or contact:
Employment and Training Administration
Director, Office of Public Affairs
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-6871
Employment Standards Administration
Office of Public Affairs
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-8743
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Office of Information
and Public Affairs
Department of Labor
Ballston Towers #3
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 235-1452
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Labor
Department, Occupational Safety and Health Administration." If it
does not appear, call the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or
contact:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Office of Information and Consumer Affairs
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-8148
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and
Training
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-9116
1 (800) 442-2VET (toll free-- Veterans' Job Rights Hotline Office
of Labor Management Standards
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-5823
Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration
Office of Program Services
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-8776
Women's Bureau
The Work and Family Clearinghouse
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-4486
1 (800) 827-5335 (toll free)
Employers may contact this office for information about dependent
care (child and/or elder care) policies.
Women's Bureau
The Workforce Quality Clearinghouse
Department of Labor
Washington, DC 20210
(202) 219-4486
1 (800) 347-3741 (toll free outside DC)
Employers may contact this office for information about workplace
quality resources, e.g., employee training and skills
development.
Department of State
Overseas Citizen Services
Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
(202) 647-3666 (non-emergencies)
(202) 647-5226 (emergencies)
Passport Services
Washington Passport Agency
1425 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20524
(202) 647-0518
Visa Services
Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
(202) 633-1225
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Air Safety:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Community and Consumer Liaison Division
FAA (APA-200)
Washington, DC 20591
(202) 267-3484
1 (800) FAA-SURE (toll free outside DC)
Airline Service Complaints:
Office of Intergovernmental and Consumer Affairs (I-25)
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-2220
Auto Safety Hotline:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (NEF-11)
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-0123
(202) 755-8919 (TDD)
1 (800) 424-9393 (toll tree outside DC)
1 (800) 424-9153 (toll free TDD outside DC)
Boating Safety Classes:
Boat U.S. Foundation
880 S. Pickett Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 823-9550
1 (800) 336-2628 (toll free)
Boating Safety Hotline:
United States Coast Guard (G-NAB-5)
2100 2nd Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001
(202) 267-0780
1 (800) 368-5647 (toll free)
Oil and Chemical Spills:
United States Coast Guard
National Response Center (G-TGC-2)
2100 2nd Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001
(202) 267-2675
1 (800) 424-8802 (toll free)
Railway Safety:
Federal Railroad Administration
Office of Safety (RRS-20)
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-0522
Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Treasury
Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms." If it does
not appear, call the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or
contact:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Department of the Treasury
Room 5500
650 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20226
(202) 927-8500
To report lost or stolen explosives, or to report explosive
incidents or bombings, call:
(202) 566-7777
(202) 789-3000
1 (800) 287-4867 (toll free outside DC)
Bureau of Engraving
and Printing
Congressional and Media Affairs Division
Department of the Treasury
14th and C Streets, S.W.
Room 533M
Washington, DC 20228
(202) 874-2778
Bureau of the Public Debt
Public Affairs Officer
Office of the Commissioner
Department of the Treasury
999 E Street, N.W., Room 553
Washington, DC 20239-0001
(202) 219-3302
Comptroller of the Currency
The Comptroller of the Currency handles complaints about national
banks, i.e., banks that have the word "National" in their names or
the initials "N.A" after their names. For assistance, look in your
telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Treasury
Department, Comptroller of the Currency." If it does not appear,
call the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or contact:
Comptroller of the Currency
Compliance Management
Mail Stop 7-5
Washington, DC 20219
(202) 874-4820
Financial Management Service
Office of Legislative
and Public Affairs
Department of the Treasury
401 14th Street, S.W.
Room 555
Washington, DC 20227
(202) 874-6740
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Treasury
Department, Internal Revenue Service." If it does not appear, call
the appropriate FIC number (see page xx).
Office of Thrift Supervision
(former Federal Home Loan Bank Board) The Office of Thrift
Supervision handles complaints about savings and loan
associations and savings banks. For assistance, contact:
Office of Thrift Supervision
Consumer Affairs
1700 G Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20552
(202) 906-6000
1 (800) 842-6929 (toll free outside DC)
United States Customs Service
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Treasury
Department, U.S. Customs Service." If it does not appear, call the
appropriate FIC number (see page xx).
To report fraudulent import practices, call U.S. Customs
Service's Fraud Hotline:
1 (800) ITS-FAKE (toll free)
To report drug smuggling activity, call U.S. Customs Service's
Narcotics Hotline:
1 (800) BE- ALERT (toll free)
United States Mint
Customer Relations Division
Department of the Treasury
10001 Aerospace Road
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 436-7400
United States Savings Bonds Division
Department of the Treasury
Office of Public Affairs
800 K Street, N.W.
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20226
(202) 377-7716
1 (800) 4US-BOND (toll free recording)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
For information about VA medical care or benefits, write, call or
visit your nearest VA facility. Your telephone directory will list
a VA medical center or regional office under "U.S.
Government, Department of Veterans Affairs," or under
"U.S.Government, Veterans Administration." You also may contact
the offices listed below.
For information about benefits:
Veterans Benefits Administration (27)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20420
1 (800) 827-1000 (toll free)
For information about
medical care:
Veterans Health Administration (167C)
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20420
(202) 535-7208
For information about burials, headstones or markers, and
presidential memorial certificates:
National Cemetery System (40H)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20420
(202) 535-7855
For consumer information or general assistance:
Consumer Affairs Service (075B)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20420
(202) 535-8962
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Asbestos Information
(202) 554-1404 (hotline)
(202) 260-7849
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know
Information-Hotline Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
1 (800) 535-0202 (toll free outside AK and DC)
General Information
Environmental Issues
1 (800) 759-4372 (toll free-CO, MO, ND, SD, UT, WY residents only)
(303) 293-1603
Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse
1 (800) 438-4318 (toll free)
(301) 585-9020
(301) 588-3408 (on-line service - modem)
Inspector General's Whistle Blower Hotline
(202) 260-4977
1 (800) 424-4000 (toll free outside DC)
National Pesticides Telecommunications Network (NPTN)
1 (800) 858-7378 (toll free)
1 (800) 858-PEST (toll free outside TX)
Office of Public Liaison
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-4454
Public Information Center PIC (PM-211B)
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-2080 (general
information)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RCRA/Superfund/UST Hotline
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
(703) 412-9810
1 (800) 424-9346 (toll free
outside DC)
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
1 (800) 426-4791 (toll free outside DC)
Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Information Service
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 554-1404
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission." If it does not appear, call
the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or contact:
Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
1801 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20507
(202) 663-4900
1 (800) 669-4000 (toll free/ file-a-charge information)
1 (800) 800-3302 (toll free TDD)
1 (800) 669-3362 (toll free/ request publications)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Complaints about telephone systems:
Common Carrier Bureau
Informal Complaints Branch
Federal Communications Commission
2025 M Street, N.W.
Room 6202
Washington, DC 20554
(202) 632-7553
General Information:
Consumer Assistance Branch
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W.
Room 254
Washington, DC 20554
(202) 632-7000
(202) 632-6999 (TDD)
Complaints about radio or television:
Mass Media Bureau
Complaints and Investigations
Federal Communications Commission
2025 M Street, N.W.
Room 8210
Washington, DC 20554
(202) 632-7048
Complaints about cable programming rates:
Federal Communications Commission
Cable Form Request 329
P.O. Box 18238
Washington, D.C. 20036
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
FDIC handles questions about deposit insurance coverage and
complaints about FDIC-insured state banks which are not members of
the Federal Reserve System. For assistance, look in your telephone
directory under "U.S. Government, Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation." If it does not appear, call the
appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or contact:
Office of Consumer Affairs
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20429
(202) 898-3536
(202) 898-6726 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 934-3342 (toll free outside DC)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Look in your telephone directory under U.S. Government, Federal
Emergency Management Agency. If it does not appear, call the
appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or contact:
Federal Insurance Administration
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Washington, DC 20472
(202) 646-2780
1 (800) 638-6620 (toll free)
Office of Disaster Assistance Programs
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street, S.W.
Room 705
Washington, DC 20472
(202) 646-3615
U.S. Fire Administration
Federal Emergency Management Agency
NETC
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
(301) 447-1080
(202) 646-2449
Federal Maritime Commission
Office of Informal Inquiries and Complaints
800 N. Capitol Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20573
(202) 523-5807
Federal Reserve System
The Board of Governors handles consumer complaints about state-
chartered banks and trust companies which are members of the
Federal Reserve System. For assistance, look in your telephone
directory under U.S. Government, Federal Reserve System, Board of
Governors," or "Federal Reserve Bank." If neither appears, call
the appropriate FIC number (see page xx) or contact:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Division of Consumer and Community Affairs
Washington, DC 20551
(202) 452-3693
(202) 452-3544 (TDD)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Federal
Trade Commission." If it does not appear, call the appropriate FIC
number (see page xx) or contact:
Correspondence Branch
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, DC 20580
(written complaints only)
Public Reference Section
Federal Trade Commission
6th & Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 130
Washington, DC 20580
(202) 326-2222 (publications)
General Services Administration (GSA)
Business Service Centers
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, General
Services Administration." If this does not appear, call the
appropriate FIC number (see page xx).
Consumer Information Center (see page xx)
Federal Information Center
(see page xx)
Federal Information
Relay Service
7th & D Streets, S.W.
Room 6040
Washington, DC 20407
(202) 708-9300 (TDD)
1 (800) 877-8339 (toll free voice/TDD outside DC)
Surplus Federal Property Sales
Look in your telephone directory under "U.S. Government, General
Services Administration." If it does not appear, call the
appropriate FIC number (see page xx).
Government Printing Office (GPO)
Government Publications:
Publications Service Section
Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402
(202) 512-2457
Subscriptions to Government Periodicals:
Subscription Research Section
Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402
(202) 512-2303
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)
Office of Compliance and Consumer Assistance
Washington, DC 20423
(202) 927-5500
National Archives and Records Administration
User Services Division
National Archives and Records Administration
Washington, DC 20408
(202) 501-5400
(301) 713-6800
(202) 501-5404 (TDD)
Federal Register
National Archives and Records Administration
Washington, DC 20408
(202) 523-4534
(202) 523-5229 (TDD)
National Archives and Records Administration
8th and Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20408
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
(202) 501-5404 (voice/TDD)
National Credit Union Administration
The National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund provides federal
insurance for nearly 13,000 credit unions. Look in your
telephone directory under "U.S. Government, National Credit Union
Administration." If it does not appear, call the appropriate FIC
number (see page xx) or contact:
National Credit Union Administration
1775 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3428
(703) 518-6300
National Labor Relations Board
Office of the Executive Secretary
1099 Fourteenth Street, N.W.
Room 11600
Washington, DC 20570
(202) 273-1940
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20555
(301) 504-2240 (OPA)
(301) 492-7000 (24-hour)
(301) 492-4626 (TDD)
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
2020 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-4026
(202) 326-4000
(202) 326-4179 (TDD)
Postal Rate Commission
Office of the Consumer Advocate
Postal Rate Commission
1333 H Street, N.W.
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20268
(202) 789-6830
President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
1331 F Street, N.W.
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004-1107
(202) 376-6200
(202) 376-6205 (TDD)
Railroad Retirement Board
844 North Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2092
(312) 751-4500
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Office of Filings, Information and Consumer Services
450 5th Street, N.W.
(Mail Stop 2-6)
Washington, DC 20549
(202) 272-7440 (investor complaints)
(202) 272-7450 (filings by corporations and other regulated
entities) (202)
272-5624 (SEC Information Line--general topics and sources of
assistance)
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Office of Consumer Affairs
409 Third Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20416
(202) 205-6236
1 (800) U-ASK-SBA (toll free-information)
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Public Relations
400 West Summit Hill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37902
(615) 632-7196 (voice)
(615) 751-8500 (TDD)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Call the CPSC hotline to report a hazardous product or product-
related injury between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., weekdays. Recorded
messages on safety recommendations and product recalls are
available at all times. Call or write:
Product Safety Hotline
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
1 (800) 638-CPSC (toll free)
1 (800) 638-2772 (toll free)
1 (800) 638-8270 (toll free TDD)
United States Information Agency
301 4th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20547
(202) 619-5151 (voice)
(202) 619-5156 (TDD)
United States Postal Service
If you experience difficulty when ordering merchandise or
conducting business transactions through the mail, or suspect that
you have been the victim of a mail fraud or
misrepresentation scheme, contact your postmaster or local Postal
Inspector. Look in your telephone directory under "U.S.
Government, Postal Service U.S." for these local listings. If they
do not appear, contact: Chief Postal Inspector
United States Postal Service
Washington, DC 20260-2100
(202) 268-4298
(202) 268-4299
For consumer convenience, all post offices and letter carriers have
postage-free Consumer Service Cards available for reporting mail
problems and submitting comments and suggestions. If the problem
cannot be resolved using the Consumer Service Card or through
direct contact with the local post office, write or call: Consumer
Advocate
United States Postal Service
Washington, DC 20260-6720
(202) 268-2284
(202) 268-2310 (TDD)
Federal TDD Directory
This section lists Federal government offices that have
Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDDs). These offices can
respond to questions and complaints from persons with speech and
hearing impairments. If you are a voice user, the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) will relay the call for you. Call
FIRS at 1 (800) 877-8339 (toll free) or (202) 708-9300 in
Washington, D.C., and a relay operator will come on the line.
Additional TDD numbers are published in the U.S. Government TDD
Directory, available free by writing the Consumer Information
Center, Item 573X, Pueblo, CO 81009.
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 1331 F
Street, N.W.
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004-1111
(202) 272-5434 (voice/TDD)
(202) 272-5449 (TDD)
Central Intelligence Agency
Office of Equal Employment Opportunity
Deaf and People with Disabilities Program
Washington, DC 20505
(703) 874-4457 (TDD)
(703) 874-4464 (voice)
Commission on Civil Rights
624 9th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20425
1 (800) 552-6843
(202) 376-8116 (TDD)
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
2033 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20581
(202) 254-3570 (TDD - complaints)
(202) 254-7448 (TDD - information)
Congressional TDD Numbers
United States House of Representatives
Congressional Telecommunications for the Deaf (TDD message relay
service-to leave messages for Representatives)
(202) 225-1904 (TDD)
Subcommittee on Select Education
Majority Office, Rep. Owens
(202) 226-7532 (voice/TDD)
United States Senate
Senate Special Services
(202) 224-4049 (TDD)
Senate Human Resources
(202) 224-7806 (TDD)
Committee on Labor and Human Resources
(202) 224-1975 (TDD)
Subcommittee on Disability Policy
Sen. Harkin
(202) 224-3457 (TDD)
Minority Office
Sen. Durenberger
(202) 224-9522 (TDD)
Department of Agriculture
14th Street and Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
Central Employment and Selective Placement Office
(202) 720-2436 (voice/TDD)
Meat and Poultry Hotline
1 (800) 535-4555 (toll free voice/TDD)
Department of the Army
Civilian Personnel Office
Fort Myer, VA 22211-5050
(703) 696-3181 (voice/TDD)
Department of Commerce
Information Locator
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-2000 (voice)
(202) 482-4670 (TDD)
Office of Personnel
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Room 5005
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-3706 (TDD-recorded job information line)
(202) 482-5138 (voice)
(202) 482-5246 (TDD)
Bureau of the Census
Population Division
Statistical Information Staff
FOB #3
Room 2373
Washington, DC 20233
(301) 763-5020 (TDD)
Demographic Surveys Division
Consumer Expenditures Survey
Programming Branch
FOB #3, Room 3449
Washington, DC 20233
(301) 763-4113 (TDD)
(301) 763-2383 (TDD)
Economic Programming Division
FOB #4, Room 1200
Washington, DC 20233
(301) 763-1537 (voice)
(301) 763-5355 (TDD)
Housing and Household Economic Statistics
Iverson Mall, Room 416
3737 Branch Avenue
Temple Hills, MD 20748
(301) 763-8574 (voice)
(301) 763-8530 (TDD)
Center for International Research
Health Study Branch
Washington Plaza 2, Room 208
Washington, DC 20233
(301) 763-4086 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 735-2258 (toll free TDD)
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Public Information Office
1441 L Street, N.W.
Room 1025
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 606-9900 (voice)
(202) 606-5335 (TDD)
International Trade Administration
Office of Commercial Information Management
Office of Promotion Services
14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Room 1310
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-5752 (TDD)
Trade Information Center
1 (800) 872-8723 (toll free voice)
1 (800) 833-8723 (toll free TDD)
Minority Business Development
Communications Division
14th Street and Constitution Avenues, N.W.
Room 6707
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-4572 (TDD)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Library and Information
Service Division
Main Library
Administration Building E106
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
(301) 975-3052 (voice)
(301) 975-2812 (TDD)
Personnel Office
Administration Building Room A123
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
(301) 975-3007 (voice/TDD)
National Technical Information Service
Publication and Subscription Division and Bookstore/Sales
(703) 487-4639 (voice)
(703) 487-4053 (TDD)
National Weather Service
National Meteorological Center
World Weather Building
Room 307
Washington, DC 20233
(301) 443-8910 (voice/TDD) (official business--no forecasts)
Office of the Secretary
Office of Civil Rights Programs
Planning and Systems Division
Herbert C. Hoover Building
Room 6010
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-5691 (voice/TDD)
Patent and Trademark Office
Office of Personnel
2011 Crystal Drive
Crystal Park 1, Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 305-8231 (voice)
(703) 308-6645 (TDD)
Office of Publications
2011 Crystal Drive
Crystal Park 1, Suite 513
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 305-8263 (voice)
(703) 305-8377 (TDD)
Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
Captioning and Adaptation Branch
330 C Street, S.W., Room 4629
Washington, DC 20202
(202) 205-9172 (voice)
(202) 205-0169 (TDD)
Goals 2000
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
1 (800) USA-LEARN (toll free)
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research 330 C
Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
(202) 205-8134 (voice)
(202) 205-8198 (TDD)
Office of Civil Rights
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
(202) 205-5413 (voice)
(202) 205-8663 (TDD)
Office of Deafness and Communicative Disorders
C
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
(202) 205-8352 (voice/TDD)
Rehabilitation Services Administration
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202
(202) 205-5482 (voice)
(202) 205-8298 (TDD)
Department of Health and Human Services
Handicapped Employment Program
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
(202) 475-0073 (TDD)
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Parklawn Building
Rockville, MD 20857
Personnel
(301) 443-1970 (voice/TDD)
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
(301) 443-1818 (TDD)
Office of the Secretary
Personnel Office
(202) 619-3540 (voice/TDD)
Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
(202) 863-0101 (TDD)
1 (800) 537-7697 (toll free TDD)
Social Security Administration
6401 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21235
(301) 965-4404 (TDD)
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20410
(202) 708-1455 (TDD)
1 (800) 927-9275 (toll free TDD)
Department of the Interior
18th and C Streets, N.W.
Washington, DC 20240
Personnel Office
(202) 208-4817 (TDD)
Department of Justice
10th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 514-2000 (voice)
(202) 514-1888 (TDD)
FBI Tours
(202) 324-3447 (voice)
(202) 324-1016 (TDD)
Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
1 (800) 326-2577 (toll free, 24-hour TDD)
Office of Civil Rights
(202) 219-7090 (voice/TDD)
Department of the Navy
Human Resource Office
1921 Jefferson Highway
Arlington, VA 22241-5363
(703) 607-2696 (TDD)
Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Personnel Office
(202) 647-7256 (voice/TDD)
Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Public and Consumer Affairs (NOA-40)
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-9550 (voice)
(202) 755-7687 (TDD)
Department of the Treasury
Bureau of the Public Debt
13th and C Streets, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 287-4097 (TDD)
Internal Revenue Service
1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20224
(202) 708-9300 (TDD)
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20420
(202) 233-2459 (voice/TDD)
(202) 233-6276 (voice/Handicapped Services)
Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-2090 (voice)
(202) 260-3658 (TDD)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
1801 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20507
(202) 663-4494 (TDD)
1 (800) 800-3302 (toll free TDD)
Executive Office of the President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
(202) 456-6213 (TDD)
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20554
(202) 632-7000 (voice)
(202) 632-6999 (TDD)
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
550 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20429
(202) 898-6726 (voice/TDD)
1 (800) 925-4618 (toll free voice/TDD)
Federal Reserve Board
20th and C Streets, N.W.
Washington, DC 20551
(202) 452-3544 (voice/TDD)
General Services Administration
18th & F Streets, N.W.
Washington, DC 20405
Clearinghouse on Computer Accommodation
(202) 501-4906 (voice/TDD)
Council on Accessible Technology (COAT)
(202) 501-2010 (TDD)
Federal Information Relay Service
(202) 708-9300 (TDD)
1 (800) 877-8339 (toll free voice/TDD outside DC)
Interstate Commerce Commission
Constitution Avenue and 12th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20423
(202) 927-5721 (TDD)
Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20540
Main Switchboard (202) 707-6200 (TDD)
National Reference Service (202) 707-4210 (TDD)
Visitor Services (202) 707-9956 (TDD)
Copyright Information (202) 707-6737 (TDD)
Special Events and
Public Programs (202) 707-9955 (TDD)
National Library Service for
the Blind and Physically
Handicapped
1241 Taylor Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20542 (202) 707-0744 (TDD)
Merit Systems Protection Board
1120 Vermont Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20419
(202) 653-8898 (voice)
(202) 653-8896 (TDD)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546
Personnel Office
(202) 358-0000 (General information)
(202) 358-3723 (TDD - Equal Opportunity)
(202) 358-1255 (TDD - Management Systems and Facilities)
Greenbelt Personnel Office
(301) 286-3729 (voice/TDD)
National Archives and Records Administration
Multimedia and Publications Distribution Division
Washington, DC 20408
1 (800) 788-6282 (toll free voice)
(301) 763-4385 (TDD)
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 1001
Washington, DC 20004-1107
(202) 267-3846 (voice)
(202) 267-3232 (TDD)
National Endowment for the Arts
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20506
(202) 682-5496 (voice/TDD)
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Stafford Place
Arlington, VA 22230
(703) 306-1234 (voice)
(703) 306-0090 (TDD)
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555
(301) 492-4626 (voice/TDD)
Office of Personnel Management
1900 E Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20415
Equal Employment Opportunity Division
(202) 606-2460 (voice/TDD)
Job Employment Center
(202) 606-0848 (TDD)
The President's Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities 1331 F St., N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004-1107
(202) 376-6205 (TDD)
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
(202) 272-2552 (voice/TDD)
Small Business Administration
409 Third Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20416
(202) 205-7333 (TDD)
Smithsonian Institution
Accessibility Program
Arts & Industries Building
Room 1410
Washington, DC 20560
(202) 786-2414 (TDD)
(202) 357-1729 (TDD - Visitor Information Line)
Tennessee Valley Authority
400 West Summit Hill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37902
(615) 751-8500 (TDD)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
1 (800) 638-8270 (TDD)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20215
(202) 225-1904 (TDD)
United States Information Agency
301 4th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20547
(202) 619-5157 (voice)
(202) 619-5156 (TDD)
United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza West, S.W.
Washington, DC 20260
(202) 268-2310 (voice/TDD)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4049, 4075 (TDD)
TDD Operator Services and TDD Relay Services
TDD Operator Services
Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals who use a
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD, also called a TTY or
TT) can get assistance for calls to a TDD number by calling
Operator Services for the Deaf: 1 (800) 855-1155 (toll free). If
you need assistance and you have TDD equipment, this number will
put you in touch with a TDD operator who can help you with the
following:
o calling card calls (with an accepted telephone calling card); o
collect calls (paid for by the person you are calling); o person-
to-person calls (a call to a specific person);
o third-party calls (calls billed to a number other than the one
you are calling to or from);
o calls from a public phone (only calling card, collect, person-
to-person or third-party); and
o directory assistance (provide the person's name, street
address, city and state).
Telecommunications Relay Services
Telecommunications relay services are a way to link telephone
conversations between hearing individuals, using a standard (voice)
telephone, and hearing- and speech-impaired individuals, using a
TDD. Relay services allow hearing individuals to call TDD numbers
and allow hearing- and speech-impaired individuals to call standard
(voice) telephone numbers. Calls can be made from a standard
(voice) telephone number to a TDD number or from a TDD number to a
standard (voice) telephone number.
Local Telecommunications Relay Services
To comply with the "Telecommunications" portion of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), a number of states have begun to
operate their own local relay services to link hearing and
hearing- and speech-impaired individuals in their local areas.
Consult your telephone directory for information on the use,
services provided and dialing instructions for your local relay.
Federal Information Relay Service
The Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) is available for the
general public seeking information from Federal agencies and for
Federal employees conducting official government business. FIRS
provides a link between both hearing and hearing- and speech-
impaired individuals. To use the FIRS, call 1 (800) 877-8339 (toll
free - voice or TDD). The FIRS operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays.
Books for Blind and Physically Handicapped Persons
The Library of Congress has a free reading program for blind and
physically handicapped individuals. Books, magazines and other
publications are available in Braille and/or audio recordings to
persons who cannot hold a book or see to read regular print.
Special playback equipment is available on loan from the Library of
Congress. Cassettes and records can be ordered from
approximately 158 cooperating libraries. Anyone who is medically
certified as unable to hold a book, or who is unable to read
ordinary print because of a visual handicap, may borrow and return
these materials, postage-free. For more information, send name and
address to: National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped, The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20542.
Recording for the Blind (RFB) is a national, non-profit
organization providing recorded textbooks, library services and
other educational resources to people who cannot read standard
print because of a visual, physical or perceptual disability. RFB
has an 80,000-volume lending library of audio books. RFB's E-Text
collection, books on computer disk, comprises more than 500 titles,
ranging from computer manuals and works of literature to an
assortment of reference works, including dictionaries, law books
and a thesaurus. RFB also offers a software reading
program for IBM computers which works in conjunction with RFB's
electronic books. RFB's line of high-quality adapted recorders,
for example, the Talkman IV, V and VI and Desktalk, are
affordable, lightweight and readily available. There is a
one-time, lifetime registration fee of $37.50 (U.S. dollars). For
more information or to request an application, call or write:
Recording for the Blind, 20 Roszel Road, Princeton, NJ 08540, (609)
452-0606, 1 (800) 221-4792 (toll free).
Index
This alphabetical index will help you find the right organization
to contact about your complaint. First, look for the specific
topic, for example, Cars. Under this topic heading, there will be
one or more contacts followed by the Handbook page numbers, where
you will find an address and/or telephone number for each contact.
Sometimes you will be directed to See another entry for a list of
contacts. See also references direct you to other topics that
might be related to your problem and help you locate the right
contact. This index also lists all sections in the Handbook.
Abuse. See Alcohol; Child abuse and neglect; Drugs
Accountants
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards
Advertising (fraudulent and deceptive practices)
Children's Advertising Review Unit, CBBB
Direct Marketing Association
Federal Trade Commission
National Advertising Division, CBBB
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Aging. See also Retirement
Social Security Administration
State Agencies on Aging
American Association of Retired Persons
Agriculture. See Farm programs; Food; Health
Agriculture, Department of (USDA)
Aid to Families with Dependent Children
(AFDC)--check local telephone directory for public welfare or
social services office
AIDS Hotline
Aircraft, airlines
Federal Aviation Administration, DOT
Office of Intergovernmental and Consumer Affairs, U.S. Department
of Transportation
Alcohol
abuse
National Health Information Center
beverage labeling and ingredients
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
Aliens
Immigration and Naturalization Service
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
American Indians. See Native Americans
Animal care and veterinary services
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA
humane societies--check local telephone directory
quarantine
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
veterinary drugs
Food and Drug Administration
Apartments
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Appliances
dispute resolution
Major Appliance Consumer Action Panel (MACAP)
energy efficiency labeling
Federal Trade Commission
safety
Product Safety Hotline, CPSC
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Arbitration. See also specific industries and products
American Arbitration Association
Better Business Bureaus
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Trade Association and Other Dispute Resolution Programs
Attorneys. See Lawyers
Automobiles. See Cars
Bankruptcy. Consult your telephone directory under "U.S.
Government." Check all U.S. Courts and District Courts listings
for references to bankruptcy.
Banks and Banking. Banks are regulated by one or more agencies.
Check the Department of Treasury listing in the "Selected Federal
Agencies" section on page 105 to learn which agency to contact.
Consumer Tip
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Better Business Bureaus
Bilingual education. See Education
Bill collection. See Credit
Black lung benefits
Mine Safety and Health Administration, xxx
Blind. See Disabled
Boats and boating
recalls, safety
Boat Owners Association of the United States (BOAT/US)
Boating Safety Hotline, U.S. Coast Guard
Bonds. See Investments
Broadcasting (radio and television)
Federal Communications Commission
Brokers (stocks and bonds). See Investments
Builders (homes). See Housing
Buses (baggage, rates, and service)
Interstate Commerce Commission
State Utility Commissions
check with your State and Local Consumer Protection Offices,
starting on page 70, for other contacts.
Business opportunities. See Franchises
Cameras and photography equipment
Photo Marketing Association
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Campgrounds
Consumer Tip
Cancer Hotline
Car manufacturers
Carpeting. See Rugs
Cars
Consumer Tips:
Car Repair
Buying a Used Car
Buying from a Private Individual
Buying from a Dealer
Buying a New Car
Credit and Sublease Brokers
Car Leasing
Lemon Laws
Vehicle Repossessions
Renting a Car
advertising
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
dispute resolution
Automotive Consumer Action Program (AUTOCAP)
BBB Auto Line
Chrysler Motors Customer Center
Ford Dispute Settlement Board
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
manufacturers
emissions standards
Environmental Protection Agency Public Information Center fuel
economy standards
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
fuel economy testing and labeling
Environmental Protection Agency Public Information Center
imported car standards
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
U.S. Customs Service
insurance
Insurance Information Institute
State Insurance Regulators
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
leasing
Consumer Tip
lemon laws
Consumer Tip
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
new cars
Consumer tip
odometer tampering and fraud
Auto Safety Hotline
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
pedestrian safety
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
repairs
Consumer Tip
BBB Auto Line
National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
repossessions
Consumer Tip
safety
Auto Safety Hotline
Center for Auto Safety
tires
National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association
used cars
Consumer Tip
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Catalog shopping
Direct Marketing Association
Cemeteries
Cemetery Consumer Service Council
Monument Builders of North America
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery System
Census Data
Bureau of the Census
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Charitable organizations (reports on) Council of Better Business
Bureaus
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Chemical and oil spills. See Environment
Child abuse and neglect
National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect
Child care
Information for employers
Women's Bureau--the Work and Family Clearinghouse
check local government listings in your telephone directory under
"Family" or "Children" for information about licensing
requirements for child care facilities in your area
Child support enforcement
Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support
Enforcement
Children
Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU)
Citizenship applications
Immigration and Naturalization Service
City government
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Civil rights. See also Discrimination; specific departments in
"Selected Federal Agencies" section on page 105
Commission on Civil Rights
Clothing
American Apparel Manufacturers Association
American Textile Manufacturers Institute
care labeling
Federal Trade Commission
children's sleepwear
(flammability standards)
Product Safety Hotline
Coins. See also Investments
U.S. Mint
Collection Agencies. See Credit
Commerce, Department of
Commissaries
Military Commissary and Exchange Contacts
Commission on Civil Rights
Commodity futures and options. See also Investments
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Complaints. See Consumer complaints
Construction (homes). See Housing
Consumer complaints
Better Business Bureaus
Corporate Consumer Contacts
Federal Information Center
Call for Action
banking and telecommunications Consumer Action
sample complaint letter
Selected Federal Agencies
State, County and City Government Consumer Protection Offices
strategies
Trade Association and Other Resolution Programs
Consumer education. See also National Consumer Organizations
American Council on Consumer Interests
National Coalition for Consumer Education
National Institute for Consumer Education
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Consumer Federation of America
Consumer Information--check the Table of Contents of this Handbook
for more information
Consumer Information Center (CIC)
Consumer organizations
Refer to list beginning on page 56
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Consumer protection offices
State, County and City Government
Consumer Protection Offices
Consumer Tips:
Car Repair, Purchase, Renting and Other Concerns
Mail Order
Mail Fraud
Telemarketing
Calls That Cost: 900 Numbers and Other Pay-Per-Call Services
Door-to-Door Sales
Home Improvement
Home Financing
Home Equity Credit Lines
Reverse Mortgages
Selecting a Financial Institution
Credit
Consumer Privacy
Advance Fee Scams
Health Clubs
Dating Clubs
Timeshares/Campgrounds
Travel Scams
Product Safety and Recalls
Nutrition Labeling
Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
Cooperative Extension Service
Corporate Consumer Contacts
Correspondence Schools. See Education
Cosmetics (labeling and safety)
Food and Drug Administration
County government
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Courts
small claims
Credit
billing
Consumer Tip
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
counseling
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
credit cards
Consumer Tip
bank issued. See also Banks
National Credit Union Administration
Selected Federal Agencies
State Banking Authorities
all other credit cards
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
harassment
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
information
Bankcard Holders of America
repair
Consumer Tip
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
reporting
Consumer Tip
Federal Trade Commission
unions
National Credit Union Administration
Cruise ships. See also Travel
Federal Maritime Commission
Currency
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Customs
U.S. Customs Service
Dating Clubs/Matchmakers
Consumer Tip
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Day care. See Child care
Debts. See Bankruptcy; Credit
Defense, Department of
Dentists. See Health care professionals
Departments of U.S. Government. See specific departments in
"Selected Federal Agencies"
Detergents. See Soap
Diet programs. See Weight loss programs
Direct deposit
Financial Management Service
Direct marketing
Direct Marketing association (DMA)
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
U.S. Postal Service
Disabled/handicapped persons
benefits
Social Security Information
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
communications
Federal TDD Directory
Operator Assistance
education
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Clearinghouse on Disability Information
job training and employment
President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
Disasters (natural)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Weather Service
U.S. Geological Survey
Discrimination
child care
Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
credit. See also Banks
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
employment
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
general
Commission on Civil Rights
Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
lending. See Banks
Medicare/Medicaid
Health Care Financing Administration
mortgages
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
State and Local Consumer Protection Agencies
nursing homes
Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
social service programs
Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
dispute resolution
Better Business Bureaus
Trade Association and Other Dispute Resolution Programs
Distilled spirits. See Alcohol
Doctors. See Health care professionals
Door-to-door sales. See Direct selling
Drinking water
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
State Utility Commissions
misrepresentations
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Drug Enforcement Administration
Drugs
abuse
National Health Information Center
illegal
Drug Enforcement Administration
Narcotics/Drug Smuggling Hotline
information, labeling, and safety for prescription and non-
prescription drugs
Food and Drug Administration
orphan
National Health Information Center
veterinary
Food and Drug Administration
Dry cleaning
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Education
bilingual
National Clearinghouse on Bilingual Education Hotline
correspondence (home study)
Federal Trade Commission
National Home Study Council
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
disabled children
Clearinghouse on Disability Information
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
financial aid (federal)
Federal Student Financial Aid Program
native Americans
Bureau of Indian Affairs
school lunch programs
check local telephone directory for school board or
superintendent of schools
school lunch program standards
Food and Nutrition Service
special education programs
Clearinghouse on Disability Information
trade and technical (vocational) schools
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
U.S. Department of Education Hotline
veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs
Education, Department of
Elderly. See Aging
Electronic funds transfer. See also Banks
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Emergency preparedness. See also Disasters
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Emission control standards. See Cars
Employment
agencies
Federal Trade Commission
National Association of Personnel Services
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
benefits
Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration
discrimination, equal employment opportunity
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
President's Committee on Employment of people with Disabilities
labor disputes
American Arbitration Association
Bureau of Labor-Management Relations
National Labor Relations Board
relocation, training, and assistance
Employment and Training Administration
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
unfair labor practices
Employment Standards Administration
National Labor Relations Board
wage issues (garnishment, minimum and overtime)
Employment Standards Administration
workers' compensation
Employment Standards Administration
workforce quality resources
The Work and Family Clearinghouse
The Workforce Quality Clearinghouse
workforce economic changes
Employment Standards Administration
workplace safety
Employment Standards Administration
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
workplace technological changes
Employment Standards Administration
Energy. See also Power plants; Utilities
alternative fuels
Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service
check local telephone directory for state energy conservation
office
conservation
Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service
National Appropriate Technology Assistance Service
costs and billing
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
State Utility Commissions
efficiency labeling
Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service
Federal Trade Commission
heating fuel information
Department of Energy
safety
Product Safety Hotline
oil spills
National Response Center, U.S. Coast Guard
regulation
State Utility Commissions
State Weights and Measures Offices
renewable and solar
Conservation and Renewable Energy Inquiry and Referral Service
National Appropriate Technology Assistance Service
Tennessee Valley Authority
weatherization assistance
National Appropriate Technology Assistance Service
Energy, Department of
Environment
hazards
Asbestos Hotline
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Information
Hotline
National Pesticides Telecommunications Network
National Response Center, U.S. Coast Guard
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)/ Superfund/UST
Hotline
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Toxic Substances Control Act Assistance Information Service
information
Environmental Protection Agency Public Information Center
program fraud, waste or abuse
Environmental Protection Agency, Inspector General's Whistle
Blower Hotline
Environmental Protection Agency
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
Consumer Tip
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Explosives
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Fabrics. See also Clothing
American Textile Manufacturers Institute
content labeling
Federal Trade Commission
Family records
National Archives and Records Administration
Farm programs
farm loans
Farmers Home Administration
fraud, waste or abuse
Department of Agriculture, Inspector General's Hotline
information
Cooperative Extension Service
Department of Agriculture, Office of Public Affairs
Farmers Home Administration
Federal agencies
Federal Information Centers
Federal TDD Directory
Federal notices and regulations
Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Federal property
monuments, parks
National Park Service
surplus sales
General Services Administration
Federal Trade commission
Financial aid to students. See Education
Financial planning
International Association for Financial Planning
Fire
insurance
State Insurance Regulators
prevention
Product Safety Hotline
U.S. Fire Administration
Firearms
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Fireworks
Product Safety Hotline
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Fish and seafood. See Food and nutrition
Fishing
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fitness. See Health
Flammable fabrics. See Clothing; Fabric
Flood insurance. See Insurance
Food and Drug Administration
Food and nutrition
assistance programs
Food and Nutrition Service
fish and seafood
National Marine Fisheries Service
Seafood Safety Hotline, FDA
food stamps
Food and Nutrition Service
check local telephone directory for public welfare or social
services office
grading
Agricultural Marketing Service
information and advocacy. See also National Consumer
Organizations
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Community Nutrition Institute
Public Voice for Food and Health Policy
meat and poultry labeling, quality, safety and inspection Food
Safety and Inspection Service, Meat and Poultry Hotline nutrition
labeling
Consumer Tip
Food and Drug Administration
Human Nutrition Information Service
packaging, labeling, quality and safety (except meat and poultry)
Food and Drug Administration
program fraud, waste or abuse
Department of Agriculture, Inspector General's Hotline
school lunch program
check local telephone directory for school board or
superintendent of schools
school lunch program standards
Food and Nutrition Service
Seafood Safety Hotline, FDA
tampering
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Food and Drug Administration
turkey
Food Safety and Inspection Service
National Turkey Federation
Franchises/Business opportunities
Better Business Bureaus
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Fraud. See also specific topics, such as Mail, Telemarketing
Federal Trade Commission
National Fraud Information Center
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Fraudulent advertising. See Advertising
Fuel economy standards. See Cars
Funeral
Cemetery Consumer Service Council
Federal Trade Commission
Monument Builders of North America
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs
Futures. See Investments
Gas. See Natural gas; Energy
Gasoline pumps. See Weights and measures
Genealogy. See Family records
General Services Administration
Government checks
Financial Management Service
Government Printing Office
Government publications
Consumer Information Center
Government Printing Office
National Archives Records Administration, Publications Service
Selected Federal Agencies
Guarantees. See Warranties/guarantees
Handicapped persons. See Disabled
Hazardous substance spills and waste. See Environment
Health
AIDS Hotline
Cancer Hotline
Clubs
Consumer Tip
discrimination in services
Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
doctors. See Health care professionals
elderly. See Aging; Medicaid; Medicare; Medigap; Nursing homes
employment benefits
Pension and Welfare Benefit Administration
exercise and fitness
National Health Information Center
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
fraud
Federal Trade Commission
Food and Drug Administration
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
Office of Prepaid Health Care
health spas
Consumer Tip
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
hospital care for the indigent
Hill-Burton Free Hospital Care Hotline
hospital certification
Inspector General's Hotline
information
National Health Information Center
insurance disputes
State insurance Regulators
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
job health and safety
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
long-term health care facilities. See Nursing homes
medical devices
Food and Drug Administration
medical records
Consumer Tip
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
medicines (prescription and over-the-counter). See Drugs
patient education
Food and Drug Administration
preferred provider organizations (PPOs)
Office of Prepaid Health Care
prescription drugs
Food and Drug Administration
rare diseases
National Health Information Center
services for the disabled
Federal TDD Directory
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
surgery
Second Surgical Opinion Program
veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health and Human Services, Department of
Health care professionals (doctors, dentists, nurses,
technicians, therapists)
Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Health care reform
Families USA
Health insurance. See Insurance
Hearing impairment. See also Disabled
Better Hearing Institute
Federal TDD Directory
fraud
Federal Trade Commission
Food and Drug Administration
Hearing Industries Association
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Home equity, home improvement loans. See Banks; Home mortgages;
Credit
Home Financing
Consumer Tip
Home improvements/remodeling
Consumer Tip
National Association of Home Builders
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Home mortgages. See also Banks
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Mortgage Bankers Association of America
credit discrimination
Consumer Tip
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Office of Thrift Supervision
FHA Mortgages
Office of Single Family Housing
insurance
Insurance Information Institute
Office of Single Family Housing
State Insurance Regulators
Home study. See Education
Homeowners insurance. See Home mortgages; Insurance
Hospitals. See Health
Hotels and motels
American Hotel and Motel Association
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Hotlines (federal)
Check subject headings and/or "Selected Federal Agencies"
Housing. See also Home equity loans; Home improvement loans; Home
mortgages; Loans; Apartments
discrimination
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Housing and Urban Development, Department of (HUD)
Housing loans. See Home mortgages
Hunting
National Park Service
Immunizations
Safety
Food and Drug Administration
Immigration (misleading advertising)
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Immigration and Naturalization Service
Insurance
National Insurance Consumer Organization
business
Insurance Information Institute
car. See cars
dispute resolution
American Arbitration Association
Better Business Bureaus
State Insurance Regulators
flood
Federal Emergency Management Agency
health and life
American Council of Life Insurance
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
State Insurance Regulators
loan
Title I Insurance Division
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
mortgage
Insurance Information Institute
Office of Single Family Housing
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
State Insurance Regulators
unemployment
Employment and Training Administration
veterans' life insurance
Department of Veterans Affairs
Interior, Department of
Internal Revenue Service
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)
Investments. (Coins; Commodity futures and options; Mutual funds;
Stocks and bonds; etc.)
Securities and Exchange Commission
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Justice, Department of
Job assistance, training, health and safety. See Employment
Labeling and packaging. See Appliances; Clothing; Cosmetics; Drugs;
Energy; Fabrics; Food and Nutrition; Weights and Measures
Labor, Department of
Landlord-tenant. See State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Lawyers, legal assistance
American Bar Association
Leasing
Consumer Tip
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Libraries
Licensing boards (occupational and professional)
Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Life Insurance. See Insurance
Limited Partnerships. See Investments
Liquor. See Alcohol
Loans. See also Banks; Credit; Home equity loans; Home improvement
loans; Home mortgages
advance fee
Consumer Tip
discrimination
Comptroller of the Currency
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Federal Reserve System
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Office of Thrift Supervision
farm
Farmers Home Administration
FHA mortgages
Office of Single Family Housing
FmHA insured
Farmers Home Administration
fraud/misleading advertising
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
insurance. See Insurance
settlement costs
Office of Single Family Housing
small business
Small Business Administration
Long-term health care. See Also Aging
Health; Nursing homes
American Health Care Association
Magazine subscriptions
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Subscription Research Section, Government Printing Office
Mail fraud and misrepresentation
U.S. Postal Service
adding or removing names from mailing lists
Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service
Measurements. See Weights and Measures
Meat and poultry. See also Food and Nutrition
Meat and Poultry Hotline, USDA
Medals (national)
U.S. Mint
Medicaid
complaints
Social Security Administration, HHS
discrimination
Health Care Financing Administration, HHS
fraud
HHS Inspector General's Hotline
hospital and nursing home certification
HHS Inspector General's Hotline
policy information
Health Care Financing Administration
Medical care. See Health
Medical devices
Food and Drug Administration
Medicare
complaints, general
Social Security Administration
discrimination
Health Care Financing Administration
eligible PPOs
Office of Prepaid Health Care
fraud
Office of Prepaid Health Care
hospital and nursing home certification
HHS Inspector General's Hotline
policy information
Health Care Financing Administration
Medicines. See Drugs
Medigap
American Council of Life Insurance
Health Care Financing Administration
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Metric system
Metric Programs, Department of Commerce
Military services. See also Veterans
National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
Military Commissary and Exchange Offices
Minimum wage. See Employment
Mobile homes. See also Housing
Manufactured Housing and Construction Standards Division
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Money market/mutual funds. See Investments
Monuments. See Cemetery
Mortgages. See Home mortgages
Motels. See Hotels and motels
Motor vehicles. See Cars
Moving and storage companies
interstate (between states)
Interstate Commerce Commission
intrastate (inside the state)
State Utility Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Mutual funds. See Investments
National Consumer Organizations
National Consumers League
Natural gas
American Gas Association
Nursing homes
certification
Health Care Financing Administration
discrimination
Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
information
American Health Care Association
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Department of Veterans Affairs
Nutrition. See Food and nutrition
Occupational and professional licensing boards. See Licensing
Oil resources. See Energy
Overtime pay. See Employment
Package Tours. See Travel
Parks (national)
National Park Service, Department of the Interior
Passport Services
Department of State
Patent and Trademark Office
Department of Commerce
Pension insurance, plans
Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, Department of Labor
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Personnel consultants. See Employment agencies
Pesticides
National Pesticides Telecommunications Network, EPA
Pets. See Animal care and veterinary services
Pharmaceuticals. See Drugs
Pharmacies
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Photo finishing. See Cameras and Photographic equipment
Physical fitness. See Health
Physical handicaps. See Disabled/handicapped persons
Physicians. See Health care professionals
Poisoning
National Pesticides Telecommunications Network, EPA
Political advertising
Federal Communications Commission
Pollution
Environmental Protection Agency
Post offices/postal service
closing appeals
Postal Rate Commission
complaints (including mail fraud)
U.S. Postal Service
postal rates
Postal Rate Commission
Poultry. See Food and nutrition
Power plants. See also Energy; Utilities
electric
State Utility Commissions
nuclear
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
State Utility Commissions
Privacy protection
Consumer Tip
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Product safety and recalls
Consumer Tip
Consumer Product Safety Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Prostheses
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
Public Citizen
Public Voice for Food and Health Policy
Pyramid schemes
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Radio (broadcast, regulation, licenses)
Federal Communications Commission
Radioactive materials
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Radiological products
Food and Drug Administration
Railroads
employee benefits
Railroad Retirement Board
hazardous freight and cargo/safety
Federal Railroad Administration, DOT
rates, service, and claims
Interstate Commerce Commission
Real estate
interstate
Interstate Land Sales Registration Division, HUD
practices and settlement procedures
Office of Single Family Housing
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Recalls. See Cars; Boating; other consumer products
Consumer Tip
Auto Safety Hotline
Product Safety Hotline, CPSC
processed food, drugs, medical devices
refer to white pages of your local telephone book for regional
office of U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Rehabilitation, vocational
Federal TDD Directory
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
Remodeling. See Home improvements
Rent control
check with your State or Local Consumer Protection Office for
contacts
Rent-To-Own
Consumer Tip
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Repairs and repair facilities. See Cars; other specific products
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Resorts. See Hotels and motels; Travel; Timeshares
Retirement benefits/plans. See also Pension plans
Social Security Administration
Rugs
Carpet and Rug Institute
misleading advertising and sales
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Runaway children
National Runaway Switchboard, HHS
Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Safety. See Product Safety
Sales, "going-out-of-business"
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Sale advertisements and flyers
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Sample Complaint Letter
Savings and loan associations. See also Banks and Banking
Office of Thrift Supervision
Savings Bonds
Bureau of the Public Debt
U.S. Savings Bond Division
School lunch programs
check telephone directory for school board or superintendent of
schools
School lunch program standards
Food and Nutrition Service
Schools. See Education
Seafood. See food and nutrition
Securities. See Investments
Securities and Exchange Commission
Senior citizens. See Aging
Small Business Administration
Small Claims Courts
Soap
The Soap and Detergent Association
Social Security. See also Aging benefits
Social Security Administration
Social services. See also Aging; Disabled/Handicapped; Health:
Welfare
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
Speech impairment. See Disabled/Handicapped
Sports, sports equipment
Product Safety Hotline
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Standards (product)
National Institute of Standards and Technology
State Agencies on Aging
State Banking Authorities
State, County, & City Government Consumer Protection Offices
State Insurance Regulators
State Utility Commissions
State Vocational and Rehabilitation Agencies
State Weights and Measures Offices
Stocks and bonds. See Investments
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration
Surgery. See Health
Surplus property sales (Federal)
General Services Administration
Survivor benefits
Department of Veterans Affairs
Social Security Administration
Taxes
federal
Internal Revenue Service
Telecommunications devices for the deaf
Federal TDD Directory
Operator assistance
Telemarketing. See also Direct marketing
Consumer Tip
Alliance Against Fraud in Telemarketing
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Telephone service
Consumer Tip
local service
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
long distance service
Federal Communications Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Tele-Consumer Hotline
Television
broadcast and cable regulations
Federal Communications Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Timeshares/campgrounds
Consumer Tip
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Tires
National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association
Toy safety
Product Safety Hotline
Toy Manufacturers of America
Trade
domestic
Federal Trade Commission
international
Department of Commerce, Office of Consumer Affairs
Consumers for World Trade
Trade and technical schools. See Education
Trade Association and Other Resolution Programs
Transportation, Department of
Travel
Consumer Tip
fraud
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Passport Services, Department of State
travel agents
U.S. Tour Operators Association
American Society of Travel Agents, Inc.
Treasury, Department of the
U.S. Government Offices. See Selected Federal Agencies
U.S. Public Interest Research Group
Unemployment. See Employment
Used cars. See Cars
Utilities. See also Energy; Power plants
State Utility Commissions
Veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs
Visually impaired. See Disabled; Rehabilitation
Vocational schools. See Education
Wages (garnishment, minimum wage, overtime pay)
Employment Standards Administration
Warranties/Guarantees
Federal Trade Commission
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Water. See Drinking water
Weight loss programs
Cooperative Extension Service
Federal Trade Commission
Food and Drug Administration
State and Local Consumer Protection Offices
Weights and measures
National Institute of Standards and Technology
State Weights and Measures Offices
Welfare
Social Security Administration
check telephone directory for public welfare or social services
office
Workers' compensation. See Employment
Writing a Complaint Letter
.