Consumer Services Guide (CSG)

Consumer Action Edition

The Consumer Services Guide is searchable directory of resources which can help you with consumer problems and questions. There are multiple editions of the ‘Guide’, some which deal with specific issues such as housing or credit. The full directory, the Consumer Service Guide Edition, provides access to all the resources collected by Consumer Action.

Records Found: 71

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Consumer Information



• National Conflict Resolution Center
  The National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) is a full service alternative dispute resolution provider, based in San Diego, California since 1983. NCRC provides and promotes collaborative dispute resolution and conflict management to individuals, organizations and society through education, training and client services.
  
  
• National Fair Housing Advocate
  The National Fair Housing Advocate Online is a resource designed to serve both the fair housing advocacy community and the general public with timely news and information regarding the issues of housing discrimination. This site is maintained by the Tennessee Fair Housing Council.
  
  
• Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), HUD
  HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity administers federal laws and establishes national policies that ensure all Americans have equal access to the housing of their choice. Particular activities carried out by the Office include implementing and enforcing the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws.
  
  
• Office of Recapitalization, (HUD)
  The Office of Recap is responsible for the preservation and recapitalization of federally assisted affordable housing and oversees and processes financial transactions to ensure the long-term physical and financial viability of affordable rental housing. In conducting the business of preservation of affordable housing, Recap is also responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant laws and statutes.
  
  
• Office of The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) (HUD)
  Provides information about The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), a consumer protection statute first passed in 1974. The purposes of RESPA are 1. to help consumers become better shoppers for settlement services and 2. to eliminate kickbacks and referral fees that unnecessarily increase the costs of certain settlement services. Provides information about RESPA's required disclosures and enforcement, how to file a complaint and others.
  
  
• Orange County 211
  2-1-1 Orange County, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, provides a comprehensive information and referral system that links Orange County residents to community health and human services and support. Designated by the California Public Utilities Commission as the provider of this nationally recognized service, 2-1-1 Orange County makes the system available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the 3,000,000 residents of this community.
  
  
• Pasadena Dist. Office of the LA County Dept. of Public Social Services
  Assists residents of Pasadena and Alta Dena with a variety of consumer problems. Handles landlord/tenant disputes including assistance in filling out questions for unlawful detainer civil cases ($10 fee), domestic violence restraining orders (free to local residents, $10 fee to others), income tax forms and civil harassment suits.
  
  
• Project Sentinel
  Project Sentinel is a non-profit agency providing services to help people resolve housing problems. The agency assists home seekers as well as housing providers through counseling, complaint investigation, mediation, conciliation and education. The services are funded by cities and counties in the greater Bay Area and Central Valley. All services are free and confidential.
  
  
• Riverside County Department of Community Action
  Mediates disputes in the following areas: landlord/tenant, harassment, neighbor disputes, small claims, employment, domestic, consumer/business and senior issues. Also assists low-income households with utilities. Other programs include notary, tatoo removal, mentoring, apprenticeship programs and IDA savings-matching.
  
  
• San Francisco Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board (Rent Board)
  Contact with questions about rent control in San Francisco. It may investigate reports of wrongful eviction as defined by city rent laws. This is an agency of the City/County of S.F.
  
  
• San Francisco Tenants Union
  Advises tenants on their rights. Publishes "San Francisco Tenants' Rights Handbook" and "Tenant Times." Drop-in counseling for non-members; phone counseling for members only. Assistance in tenant organizing. Call for hours.
  
  
• Santa Clara County District Attorney
  Complaints are taken in writing. Call for a complaint form or write to the above address detailing the circumstances of your complaint. Provides information and referral; landlord/tenant information also available. Offices in San Jose.
  
  
• Solano County District Attorney
  The mission of the Solano County District Attorney’s Office is to seek and do justice by assisting law enforcement and other public agencies in the investigation of crimes, prosecuting only those crimes which can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, ensuring a fair trial for those accused of crime as well as for victims and witnesses of crimes, advocating to the public and to the…
  
  
• Sonoma County Assessor's Office
  The Sonoma County Assessor's Office is responsible for determining the assessed value of each parcel for property tax purposes in accordance with California's property tax laws.
  
  
• Sonoma County District Attorney
  The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to providing the members of the community with a safe place to live by holding the guilty accountable, protecting the innocent, and preserving the dignity of victims and their families. They shall seek truth and justice in a professional manner, while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
  
  
• Sonoma County Legal Services Foundation
  Information and referral to legal resources. Alternative Dispute Resolution Services.
  
  
• United Policyholders
  A nonprofit organization that provides information about insurance from the consumer’s point of view. They offer help in understanding your insurance policies, as well as tips for making a successful claim, especially after a natural disaster.
  
  
• Utilities Consumers' Action Network (UCAN)
  The Utility Consumers’ Action Network is San Diego’s Non-Profit Utility Watchdog. UCAN protects consumers from abusive practices in the energy, gasoline, telecommunications, water and other areas.
  
  
• Ventura County District Attorney
  Consumer information and advice. Complaints accepted in consumer-merchant disputes where either the consumer or the merchant is located in Ventura County. Some landlord/tenant disputes accepted.
  
  
• Vineyard Workers Services Center
  La Luz Center is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization (Tax ID #68-0228235) dedicated to improving the quality of life in Sonoma Valley by insuring everyone has the opportunity to become productive members of our community. Providing housing assistance and services to farm workers in Sonoma Valley. Bilingual (Spanish-English).
  
  
• West County Community Services (WCCS)
  WCCS operates five critical social services departments serving thousands of youth, adults, and seniors every year. The program departments include: Counseling and Prevention, Adult and Youth Employment, Russian River Senior Resource Center, After School Programs and Emergency Food & Housing Services. Services are provided throughout the region, including Guerneville, Monte Rio, Forestville, Sebastopol, Occidental, Cazadero, and Santa Rosa.
  
  

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