Consumer Info: Numbers & Websites

 

Sometimes a simple phone call or letter can solve a problem.

Try this list of useful and helpful websites, phone numbers, and addresses for all types of consumer problems, including how to get yourself off telemarketer or junk-mail lists.

 

 

 

 

Consumer Information

Useful phone numbers and links to websites

Asbestos related problems

• Asbestos Action Program: (800) 688-9889

Automobile related problems

• Autoline: (800) 955-5100
• Auto Safety Hotline: (800) 424-9393
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Charities

• American Institute of Philanthropy
• Better Business Bureau (BBB Wise Giving Alliance)
• Consumer Affairs (reports on usage of funds): (804) 786-2042
• Federal Trade Commission - Charity Fraud
• GuideStar (database of non-profit organizations)
• National Charities Information Bureau

Computer Viruses

• CERT Coordination Center (clearing house for all computer virus information)

Consumer product recalls

• Consumer Product Safety Commission : (800) 638-2772
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Consumer protection

• Consumer Information Center
• Consumer Resource Handbook
• Consumer World
• Federal Trade Commission
• Identity Theft
• State of Virginia office: (804) 786-2042
• U.S. Consumer Gateway
• Virginia Beach office: 426-5836

Corporations

• State Corporation Commission : (804) 371-9733

Dry-cleaning related problems

• Better Business Bureau : 531-1300

Employment related problems

• EEOC: (800)872-3362
• OSHA : 441-3820
• Labor Department (employer/employee issues): 455-0891
• Virginia Department of Labor
• Virginia Employment Commission

Environment/recycling

• EPA Hotline: (800) 424-9346
• SPSA: 420-4700

Food and Drug Information

• FDA: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
• FDA: Consumer Drug Information

Fraud

• National Fraud Information Center: (800) 876-7060

Health/safety issues

• Food and Drug Administration (food and drug safety claims): 441-3326
• FDA state office: (804) 379-1627

Housing/Renter's related problems

• Better Business Bureau : 531-1300
• Consumer Affairs, state office : (804) 786-2042
• State Board of Contractors : (804) 367-8500
• Food and Drug Administration (unsafe housing): 441-3326
• Virginia Fair Housing Office
• U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Renter's Kit

Insurance related problems

• Virginia Bureau of Insurance: (804) 371-9741

Internet Fraud

• Internet Crime Complaint Center

Junk Mail

• Mail Preference Service (remove yourself from mailing lists)

Legal/lawyer related problems

• Virginia State Bar: (804) 775-0500

Medical/physician related issues

• Check a physician's license: 662-9908
• File a complaint against a physician: (800) 533-1560
• HealthFinder: US Department of Health and Human Services
• State Pharmacy Board: (pharmacy complaints): (804) 662-9921
• State Board of Dentistry: (800) 533-1560
• Virginia Department of Health Professions

Renter's concerns

• See H ousing

Senior citizen concerns

• American Association of Retired Persons : (202) 434-2277
• Long-term Care Ombudsman Program: (800) 552-3402

Social Security Benefits

• Social Security Administration
• Estimate Social Security Benefits

Telemarketers 

• Telephone Preference Service (remove yourself from telemarketer lists)
• National "Do Not Call' Registry

Utility related problems

• State Utilities Board: (800) 552-7945

Veterans concerns

• Virginia Department of Veteran Affairs: (800) 488-8244