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.

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• Fair Housing Council of Central California
  The Fair Housing Council of Central California is a private organization that facilitates equal access to apartments, homes, mortgage loans, and insurance policies for residents of the Central Valley. As an operating member of the National Fair Housing Alliance, the FHCCC is dedicated to educating the housing industry and community in regard to state and federal housing laws, conducting research into the nature and extent…
  (added December 2006)
• Fair Housing Foundation
  The purpose of the Fair Housing Foundation is to actively support and promote freedom of residence through education, advocacy, and litigation, to ensure that all persons have the opportunity to secure safe and decent housing that they desire and can afford, without regard to their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, familial status, marital status, disability, ancestry, age, source of income or other…
  (added December 2006)
• ECHO Housing Assistance Center
  The Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO Housing) works to provide equal housing opportunities and is dedicated to the prevention and elimination of homelessness. Established as a fair housing agency, ECHO has expanded to a full service housing counseling organization providing services to very low and moderate income clients. Current service programs include: -Fair Housing Services -Tenant/Landlord Counseling Programs -Home Equity Conversion Counseling Program…
  (added December 2006)
• Davis Human Relations Commission
  The Human Relations Commission works to promote cohesiveness and understanding among the members of the community by advising the City Council on the development of programs related to mediating disputes, investigating complaints, and preparing reports on discrimination of all kinds in the city.
  (added December 2006)
• Center for Social Advocacy
  The Center for Social Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) incorporated nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and they are one of San Diego’s oldest civil and human rights organizations. They have stood as advocates for fair housing and mediated tenant/landlord issues, and still do so today. Other issues the Center for Social Advocacy addresses include: hate crime prevention, civil rights of first generation immigrants, human trafficking, youth…
  (added December 2006)
• California State Department of Fair Employment and Housing
  The mission of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing is to protect Californians from employment, housing and public accommodation discrimination, and hate violence. The DFEH's statutory mandate is to protect the people of California from employment, housing and public accommodations discrimination and hate violence pursuant to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Persons Act, and Ralph Civil…
  (added December 2006)
• Bay Area Legal Aid
  Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal) is the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Bay Area. Their seven regional offices work together to provide high quality legal assistance to low-income people regardless of their location, language, or disability. BayLegal is uniquely positioned to help people across county lines. They assist people in the areas of housing, public benefits, health access, and domestic violence.
  (added December 2006)
• Asian Law Caucus (ALC)
  Non-profit legal organization which offers assistance to low-income consumers. Promote, advances and represents the legal and civil rights of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. ALC provides help throughout the Bay Area. Free or low-cost, depending on income.
  (added October 2006)
• Civil Rights Division, (DOJ)
  The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, created in 1957 by the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and national origin. Contact…
  (added October 2006)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
  

  FIMA manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and a range of programs designed to reduce future losses to homes, businesses, schools, public buildings, and critical facilities from floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.

  Mitigation focuses on breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Mitigation efforts provide value to the American people by creating safer communities and reducing loss of life…
  (added October 2006)

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive…
  (added October 2006)
• Federal Reserve Consumer Help
  Contact about complaints against state-chartered banks that belong to the Federal Reserve System. Also answers questions about consumer credit protection laws and regulations.
  (added October 2006)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  Enforces federal consumer protection laws concerning false advertising, deceptive business practices, inaccurate credit reports and handles complaints regarding credit cards, failure of banks to disclose credit terms, denial of credit because of discrimination and inaccurate disclosure of credit reports. May be able to assist with problems of abusive collection agencies.
  (added October 2006)
• Home Improvement Branch, (HUD)
  Facts and pitfalls of home improvement. Sources that can help includes: federal loan programs, community-based programs, and consumer information.
  (added October 2006)
• 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.
  (added October 2006)
• 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.
  (added October 2006)
• 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.
  (added October 2006)
• Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
  The mission of PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents. Founded in 1977, PACER Center was created by parents of children and youth with disabilities to help other parents and families facing similar challenges. Today, PACER…
  (added October 2006)
• People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF)
  People With Disabilities Foundation (PWDF), an IRS § 501(c)(3) public, nonprofit agency whose mission is to provide education and advocacy for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities, so that they can achieve equal opportunities in all aspects of life. PWDF’s Advocacy Program provides legal services in eight San Francisco Bay Area counties. PWDF’s Public Awareness and Education Program presents free educational seminars and sells interactive…
  (added October 2006)
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of San Francisco
  Offers free money management, debt or housing counseling services and comprehensive workshops.
  (added October 2006)
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of the East Bay
  Web site of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service for Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties. They offer free and low-cost counseling to aid consumers with credit and money management issues.
  (added October 2006)
• Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center
  The Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center (APADRC) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides mediation and conflict resolution services to the diverse communities in the Los Angeles area, with a focus on the Asian Pacific Islander Population. They strive to improve human relations and race relations by addressing complex, cross cultural community conflicts and their root causes with community partners through education, training, and…
  (added October 2006)
• California- Insurance Regulator
  Contact about complaints or questions concerning the insurance industry, including brokers and agents. Free rate surveys available to the public. (Also send copies of written complaints about insurance rates to the Attorney General’s office; it is a Proposition 103 watchdog agency. Complaints against HMOs not licensed as insurance companies go to the Department of Corporations.)
  (added October 2006)
• Department of Housing and Community Development
  Contact with complaints about mobilehome sales, dealers and manufacturers, for warranty problems, escrow, contracts, fraud and misrepresentation, health and safety.
  (added October 2006)
• Fresno County District Attorney
  The Business Affairs Unit conducts investigations and prosecutions of consumer protection and fraud cases, business law violations, environmental law violations and major fraud.
  (added October 2006)

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