Nonprofit and Consumer Protection Organizations

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Consumer Action (CA)

221 Main Street, Suite 480

San Francisco, CA 94105

Telephone: 415-777-9635

Website: www.consumer-action.org

CA refers consumers to complaint-handling agencies through its free hotline; publishes educational materials on credit banking, insurance, utilities, and HMOs (in a number of languages); and provides outreach and technical assistance to a national network of community-based and government agencies.

Consumer Federation of America (CFA)

1620 I Street NW, Suite 200

Washington DC 20006

Telephone: 202-387-6121

Website: www.consumerfed.org

CFA promotes consumer education by disseminating information to the public on consumer issues such as managing consumer debt, banking and product safety.

Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB)

P.O. Box 4503 Iowa City, Iowa 52244

Telephone: 855-411-CFPB (2372); Español (855) 411-CFPB (2372); or TTY/TDD (855) 729-CFPB (2372);

Fax: 855-237-2392

Website: www.consumerfinance.gov

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (Dodd-Frank Act) established the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB is working to give consumers the information they need to understand the terms of their agreements with financial companies. It is also working to make regulations and guidance as clear and streamlined as possible so providers of consumer financial products and services can follow the rules on their own.

Among other things, the CFPB:

  • Conducts rule-making, supervision, and enforcement for Federal consumer financial protection laws;
  • Restricts unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices;
  • Takes consumer complaints;
  • Promotes financial education;
  • Researches consumer behavior;
  • Monitors financial markets for new risks to consumers; and
  • Enforces laws that outlaw discrimination and other unfair treatment in consumer finance.

If you believe you may have been a target of deceptive practices related to a bank account or service, credit card, credit reporting, money transfer, mortgage, student loan or vehicle or consumer loan, you may submit a complaint to the CFPB at www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint or at (855) 411-2372.

Hope Coalition America (HCA)

HOPE GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS

707 Wilshire Boulevard, 30th Floor

Los Angeles, California 90017

Telephone: 877-592-HOPE (4673) or 213-891-2900

Fax: 213-489-7511

Website: www.operationhope.org

HOPE Coalition America is the national emergency preparedness and assistance division of Operation HOPE, Inc. The coalition is a collaboration of senior executives and professionals from the banking and financial services, insurance, higher education, social service, and community services agencies, which provide financial and economic guidance and assistance to individuals and small businesses affected by emergencies and disasters.

The HCA has two useful publications: the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) helps you to create detailed listings of your important personal contact, financial and legal information; and the companion document, the Personal Disaster Preparedness Guide (PDPG), guides you through survival and recovery information and the steps you should take prior to an emergency. Both publications are available in English and Spanish free of charge on their website.