Resources for
Consumers
Introduction
The following compendium of resources for consumers is a work in progress project of the Council of the Consumer and Commercial Law Section.
The resources listed are for informational purposes only and inclusion here is not intended as an endorsement.
Section A lists sources of general consumer protection information and Section B resources focus on specific topics including identity theft, insurance, foreclosures, student loans and information of special interest to older Texans and Texas veterans.
SECTION A – CONSUMER PROTECTION (GENERAL)
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS – CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION
- Accepts consumer complaints (by mail and online)
- Provides general information on a wide range of topics including current scams
Phone: (800) 621-0508
Website: https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/consumer-protection
CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU (CFPB)
- Accepts consumer complaints; seeks response from the company and informs consumer of response
- Publishes a Consumer Complaint Database
- Provides general information on a wide range of topics
Phone: (855) 411-2372
Consumer complaints: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Resources for consumers and businesses: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/compliance/compliance-resources/other-applicable-requirements/debt-collection/
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION – BUREAU OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
- Accepts complaints from consumers but does not resolve individual complaints
- Accepts reports of alleged fraud: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Provides information on a wide range of consumer topics and reports on recent enforcement activities; rulemakings and hearings
- Operates one-stop resource for identity theft victims: Identify Theft Recovery Steps — (report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov)
Phone: 1 (877) FTC-HELP
Website: consumer.ftc.gov
NATIONAL CONSUMER LAW CENTER
- Maintains guides, brochures, and fact sheets to help consumers understand their rights.
- Responds to request for assistance from legal advocates representing older Americans and litigation project works primarily on impact cases affecting low-income consumers
- Publishes multi-volume Consumer Credit and Sales Legal Practice Series for advocates
- Publishes “Surviving Debt (2023) with detailed information for consumers in responding to debt collectors and dealing in general with credit card debt, student loans, and credit reports. See, library.nclc.org
Website: https://www.nclc.org
TEXAS CONSUMER CREDIT COMMISSIONER
- Offers a complaint resolution process to assist consumers in resolving complaints and disputes concerning pawn transactions; secondary mortgages and home equity loans; motor vehicle sales financing; property tax loans; payday and auto title loans; debt management and debt settlement providers; crafted precious metal dealers and licensed lenders.
- Operates its Consumer Assistance Helpline to answer consumer questions
- Provides consumer brochures on wide variety of credit products
- Website features detailed “Guide to Financial Literacy and Education Resources”
Phone: 1 (800) 538-1579 (Consumer Assistance Helpline) | (512) 936-1700 (General Line)
TEXAS LAW HELP
- Maintains a website dedicated to providing free, reliable legal information for low income Texans
- Website features include:
- Easy-to-read materials on a wide range of topics, including evictions and Covid-related issues and disaster relief
- Self-help forms and guides including how to navigate virtual court
- Live Chat during hours and dates noted at website
- Posts calendars noting dates, locations and times that local neighborhood legal clinics and volunteer attorney programs are available.
Website: https://texaslawhelp.org/
TEXAS.GOV
- Provides comprehensive directory of all Texas state agencies
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING
Accepts complaints related to various types of licensed activities, including those listed below:
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Architectural Barriers
- Athletic Trainers
- Auctioneers
- Barbering
- Behavior Analysts
- Boiler Safety
- Code Enforcement Officers
- Combative Sports
- Cosmetologists
- Dietitians
- Driver Education and Safety
- Dyslexia Therapy
- Electricians
- Elevator / Escalator Safety
- For-Profit Legal Services
- Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers
- Industrialized Housing and Buildings
- Laser Hair Removal
- Licensed Breeders
- Massage Therapy
- Midwives
- Mold Assessors and Remediators
- Offender Education Programs
- Orthotists and Prosthetists
- Podiatry
- Polygraph Examiners
- Professional Employer Organizations
- Property Tax Consultants
- Property Tax Professionals
- Responsible Pet Owner
- Sanitarians
- Service Contract Providers
Website: https://tdlr.texas.gov/complaints/
TEXAS STATE LAW LIBRARY
- Responds to common consumer questions on its frequently asked legal questions page
- Maintains links to consumer resources
- Posts calendars with upcoming dates for general legal hotlines and names and phone numbers of sponsoring organizations
Phone: (512) 463-1722
Website: https://sll.texas.gov/self-help/consumer-information/
YOUR LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION
- Check YOUR local bar association’s website.
- Many post lists of local resources and information regarding legal services, clinics and legal lines offered in the community.
- For a comprehensive roster of local bar associations, see:
https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Local_Bar_Services
SECTION B – SPECIAL TOPICS
IDENTITY THEFT/PRIVACY
IDTHEFT.GOV (AN FTC WEBSITE)
- Helps ID theft victims create an Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on specifics of the situation
- Accepts ID theft reports from consumers concerned that their personal information is being used to open new accounts, make purchases, etc.
- Provides checklists and sample letters to assist consumers recovering from ID theft
- Explains credit freezes and alerts and how to obtain these from the three main credit reporting agencies.
Equifax: (800) 685-1111
Experian: (888) 397-3742 TTY: (800) 972-0322
TransUnion: (800) 888-4213
ANNUALCREDITREPORT.COM
- Portal through which consumers can obtain a free copy of their credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting company.
- Free reports provided as mandated by federal law are available only through this centralized source. Consumers who contact the credit reporting agency directly will be charged for a credit report.
Phone: (877) 322-8228
NO CALL REGISTRY
Register your home or mobile phone for free by going to:
DONOTCALL.GOV (MANAGED BY FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION – FCC)
TEXASNOCALL.COM (MANAGED BY PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS – PUC)
- Accept consumer registration for no call registries
- Accept complaints against telemarketers who call registered numbers
Website to register on Texas No Call list: www.TexasNoCall.com
Website to register on federal no call list: www.donotcall.gov
PRIVACY RIGHTS CLEARINGHOUSE
- Accepts complaints of privacy violations and poor privacy practices
- Operates a Question Center where consumers can request information on ways to protect their privacy
- Maintains a collection of consumer privacy information and education resources including quick tips, infographics, and short videos.
Website: https://privacyrights.org/submit-complaint
INSURANCE
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
- Accepts insurance complaints against insurance companies, agents and adjusters including: health, auto, home, TWIA, flood and life/annuity
- Operates a consumer help line to answer consumer questions
- Maintains a collection of educational information for consumers
Phone: (800) 578-4677
Website: www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/get-help-with-an-insurance-complaint.html
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
- Handles questions, complaints, or disputes regarding insurance obtained through a “self-insured” employer (typically a large company or one with locations in multiple states or countries)
Phone: (972) 850-4500 | (866) 444-EBSA (3272)
Website: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/
HEALTH CARE INSURANCE AND BENEFITS COVERAGE
CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES – CMS.GOV
- Maintains a list of sources of assistance for consumers with questions related to coverage under the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid and Children’s Medicaid (CHIP):
Website: www.cms.gov/CCHO.Resources/Consumer-Assistance
- Hosts portal to assist consumers in finding and comparing health care coverage options:
Portal website: CMS.GOVHealthCare.gov’s Plan Finder
HOUSING AND FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- Maintains website with roster of resources available for homeowners concerned about foreclosure.
Website: https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/homeownerships/foreclosure/resources.htm
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)
- Offers free counseling through certified HUD approved “Foreclosure Intervention Counseling” organizations
Website listing Texas counselors: https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/index.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=TX&filterSvc=dfc
Phone: (800) 569-4287
OLDER TEXANS
TEXAS LEGAL SERVICES CENTER (TLSC)
- Offers free legal advice via a Legal Hotline hotline for Texans over the age of 60 who receive Medicare
Phone: (800) 622-2520
Website: https://www.tlsc.org/legalhotline
TEXAS YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
- Publishes guide on topics and law which especially affect older Texans including planning for retirement and avoiding consumers scams. Guide includes detailed list of resources for seniors.
SLBA – STUDENT LOAN BORROWER ASSISTANCE
- Provides detailed information and lists of resources to assist borrowers and advocates representing borrowers with cancellation of student loans, management of repayment, responses to debt collectors, and evaluation of bankruptcy option
Website: https://www.studentloanborrowerassistance.org/resources/referral
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
- Responds to complaints and concerns about the Department’s contracted collections agencies
- Maintains a Default Resolution Group call center to respond to questions related to individual loan status and repayment of loans in default
Websites: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/default/collections#contact-collection-agency
Website and Phone Number for Default Resolution Group: https://ifap.ed.gov/ifap/helpContactInformationDetailedList.jsp?contactname=Default%20Resolution%20Group
Phone: (800) 621-3115
FEDERAL STUDENT AID OMBUDSMAN GROUP
- For federal student aid programs, including Direct Loans, Federal Family Education Loans and Perkins Loans assists consumers by helping to:
- resolve discrepancies with loan balances and payments;
- resolve issues with Federal Pell Grant disbursements or overpayments;
- review TEACH Grant conversions to loans;
- explain loan interest and collection charges;
- identify options for resolving issues related to consolidation, service quality, default status, bankruptcy, income tax refund offsets, and other concerns;
- clarify requirements for loan deferment or forbearance and loan cancellation or discharge; and
- identify loan repayment options.
- Group does not serve as an advocate, accept payments, or accept complaints about private student loans.
Phone: (877) 557-2575
Website: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/disputes
VETERANS
TEXAS VETERANS PORTAL
- Maintains a website with a comprehensive listing of resources available to help veterans with a wide range of issues including legal and financial issues including:
- Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans provides pro bono legal clinics statewide for military veterans who cannot afford or do not have access to the legal services they need. - Military Service Records
How to request Military Service Records including a DD 214, separation documents, personnel records, replacement medals, and medical records. - Driver License and Identification Cards
The Texas Department of Public Safety offers veteran designations on driver licenses and ID cards, and fee exemptions for disabled veterans. - Veterans Housing Assistance Program
The Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP) aids eligible Texas Veterans in purchasing a home with a competitive, low-interest loan with little or no down payment. - Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans
Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans provides pro bono legal clinics statewide for military veterans who cannot afford or do not have access to the legal services they need. - Veterans Home Improvement Program
The Texas Veterans Home Improvement Program (VHIP) provides below-market interest rate loans to qualified Texas Veterans for home repairs and improvement to their existing homes. - Office of Public Utility Counsel Military Resources
The Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) partners with Texas military installations and other governmental entities and service organizations to provide assistance to military personnel and their families who are shopping the electric market, locating local and statewide utility assistance, and employing energy efficiency and conservation measures around their homes. - Property Tax Exemption
Texas offers disabled veterans and their surviving spouses various partial or total exemptions from appraised property values used to determine local property taxes.
- Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans
VETERANS LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT (A PROJECT OF TLSC)
- Provides no cost legal assistance to low-income Texas veterans and their families.
- Areas of representation are limited to civil matters, including consumer protection, bankruptcy, Veterans benefits, family law, employment, housing, expunction, and military discharge upgrades
Hotline phone: (800) 622-2520
Website: https://www.tlsc.org/vets
Phone: (800) 622-2520
SMALL BUSINESS INFORMATION
GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Publishes a comprehensive handbook of information and resources for small businesses
- Handbook available at: https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/business/smallbusinesshandbook.pdf
Phone: (512) 936-0080
Website: www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com