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Provides consumer information, referrals and informal complaint resolution services for consumer complaints involving unfair and deceptive business practices.   Assistance includes informal complaint resolution and help directing inquiries and contacts to the appropriate agencies for assistance. Also provides consumer education through online and written materials and speakers who are able to address a variety of consumer protection issues. Topics include: -  Identity theft a private lawsuit may be necessary -  Debt management -  Refund rights   -  Scams -  Foreclosure -  Student loans   Offers options if the business disagrees with the complaint. Cannot compel a firm to resolve a complaint. Options: - Bring a legal action, such as in Small Claims Court. - A private lawsuit may be necessary if the amount claimed is over the limit handled by Small Claims Court. The state Consumer Protection Act allows the plantiff to recover the costs of bringing suit, including attorney’s fees if the suit is successful.

Works to provide consumers the information they need to understand the terms of their agreements with financial companies. Also: -  Writes rules, supervises companies and enforces federal consumer financial protection laws -  Restricts unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices within financial companies -  Takes consumer complaints about financial companies -  Promotes financial education -  Monitors financial markets for new risks to consumers -  Enforces laws that outlaw discrimination and other unfair treatment in consumer finance  Provides information on a wide range of topics of interest to consumers dealing with financial companies, including:   -  Paying for college and student loans -  Planning for retirement -  Owning a home -  Protections against credit discrimination -  Trouble paying a mortgage -  Preventing financial exploitation of older adults -  Consumer financial challenges affecting service members and veterans   Receives confidential reports from whistleblowers who have information about companies or individuals that are violating federal consumer financial laws. Provides information on website in several languages; responds to telephone inquiries from consumers.

Independent regulatory agency enforces federal consumer protection and antitrust laws on behalf of the general public.   Investigates complaints regarding unfair, deceptive or anti-competitive business practices. These practices may include: -  False advertising -  Unfair credit practices -  Misleading packaging -  Mail-order problems -  Price fixing    Cannot act on behalf of individual consumers, but collects information from individuals about problems with businesses.   Develops resource guides to help consumers find the appropriate agencies to contact about consumer-related matters. These guides contain lists of nonprofit, state and local agencies for the states in each federal region.   Brochures are available on a wide variety of topics of interest to consumers. Brochures are available in Spanish and English.

Provides complaint investigation services about products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard or are potentially dangerous to children.   Consumers may call the National Hotline or visit website to report a potentially dangerous product or to report a product-related injury. Following a thorough investigation, the Commission determines if the product constitutes a public hazard. Product changes may then be required and fines may be levied against the non-conforming corporations.   The National Hotline has Spanish-speaking capabilities.   Does not regulate the safety of the following:   -  Automobiles, trucks or motorcycles -  Boats or airplanes -  Tires -  Car seats -  Firearms or ammunition -  Food or alcohol -  Cosmetics -  Drugs