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.

Website: https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Free_Legal_Information2&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=25365

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.

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