• Consumer Resources

    Credit
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    Credit Bureaus
       - Experian
       - Trans Union
       - Equifax
    888-397-3742
    800-916-8800
    800-685-1111
    www.experian.com
    www.transunion.com
    www.equifax.com    		 These are the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States.
    Annual Credit Report 877-322-8228 www.annualcreditreport.com AnnualCreditReport.com is a centralized service for consumers to request free annual credit reports. It was created by the three nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies.
    Do Not Call Registry 888-382-1222 www.donotcall.gov Register your phone number on the Do Not Call Registry to be removed from telemarketing lists.
    Opt-Out Prescreen 888-567-8688
    TDD: 877-730-4105     		www.optoutprescreen.com Opt-Out Prescreen enables consumers to opt out of receiving credit card applications and offers in the mail. Registration is active for five years.
    Seniors
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) 888-687-2277 www.aarp.org AARP is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives.
    Loan Modification Scam Alert 888-995-4673 www.loanscamalert.org The Loan Modification Scam Alert is an online resource where seniors can learn how to spot mortgage scams and how to report them.
    Benefits Check Up – National Council on the Aging n/a www.benefitscheckup.org The Benefits Check Up website houses an online directory where seniors can locate and enroll in programs to help pay for prescription drugs, utility bills, meals, health care and other needs.
    Housing
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD Counseling Line) 800-569-4287 www.hud.gov HUD’s website is a comprehensive resource for buying and selling homes, consumer rights and help for the homeless.
    Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. 800-624-4298 www.enterprisefoundation.org Working with a national network of 2,500 non-profit partners, Enterprise creates opportunities for affordable homes, safer streets and access to jobs and childcare.
    Hope Now 888-995-HOPE (4673) www.hopenow.com Hope Now represents a group of lenders, housing counselors and others who are available to help homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments.
    Making Home Affordable n/a www.makinghomeaffordable.gov Making Home Affordable is a federal program aimed at curbing foreclosures. It offers modifications and refinances to qualified homeowners, as well as localized resources.
    Employment
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    Career One Stop Centers 877-872-5627 www.servicelocator.org Operated by the U.S. Department of Labor, regional offices of Career One Stop provide resources and training programs to individuals facing serious barriers to employment.
    Food
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    Feeding America Food Bank Network 800-771-2303 www.feedingamerica.org Feeding America is the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization. Its 200+ member food banks and food-rescue organizations serve all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
    Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 800-221-5689
    703-305-2062     		www.fns.usda.gov FNS offers resources and advice on good nutrition and food shopping. Information on food stamp services is also available.
    Government and NGOs
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    Small Business Association 800-827-5722 www.sba.gov An independent agency of the Federal government to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small business concerns.
    National Humane Society 202-452-1100 www.humanesociety.org A resource for local agencies, and other organizations that helps to protect, feed and provide health care for unwanted pets, and other animals.
    GovBenefits.gov 800-333-4636 www.govbenefits.gov GovBenefits.gov is the official benefits website for the U.S. government. It contains information on more than 1,000 benefit and assistance programs.
    2-1-1 United Way 211 www.211us.org Spearheaded by the United Way and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems, 2-1-1 is a telephone number that connects consumers with community services.
    Bankruptcy & Legal Aid
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    American Bar Association (ABA) n/a www.abanet.org The ABA provides an index of lawyers and law firms categorized by location and practice. Click on “Public Resources,” then “Find Legal Help.”
    Find Law n/a www.findlaw.com Find Law provides a lawyer search in addition to detailed information about legal issues like bankruptcy, family law and employment law.
    National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) n/a www.naca.net NACA is a non-profit association of lawyers committed to promoting justice for consumers. Its members represent those victimized by fraudulent, abusive and predatory business practices.
    Health & Medical
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 877-267-2323 www.cms.hhs.gov The CMS website offers detailed information on Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Plan).
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 877-696-6775 www.hhs.gov The HHS is the federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 800-232-4636 www.cdc.gov The CDC provides information to enhance health decisions, and it promotes health through partnerships with state governments and other organizations.
    InsureKidsNow.gov 877-543-7669 www.insurekidsnow.gov InsureKidsNow.gov provides information on free and low-cost health insurance for children up to age 18.
    Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) 888-477-2669 www.pparx.org The PPA helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need for free or nearly free.
    Needy Meds n/a www.needymeds.com Needy Meds helps consumers locate patient assistance programs in their respective states. It also offers valuable coupons and discount cards to assist with cost reductions on medications.
    Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE) 800-234-1317 www.coverageforall.org The FHCE offers resources to help consumers find health insurance coverage.
    Mental Health & Addiction
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) 866-615-6464 www.nimh.nih.gov The NIH is the largest scientific organization worldwide dedicated to researching the understanding, treatment and prevention of mental disorders.
    National Mental Health Information Center (NMHIC) 800-789-2647 www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov NMHIC was developed as a resource for users of mental health services and their families, the general public, policy makers, providers and the media.
    National Suicide Prevention Hotline 800-273-8255 www.save.org Suicide Awareness Voices Education operates the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The organization offers 24/7 phone counseling to individuals in a suicide crisis.
    Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 212-870-3400 www.aa.org AA is a twelve-step program for men and women who wish to stop drinking alcohol.
    Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 818-773-9999 www.na.org Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, NA is a twelve-step program for recovery from drug addiction.
    Gamblers Anonymous 888-424-3577 www.gamblersanonymous.org Gamblers Anonymous is a twelve-step program for problem gamblers.
    Student Loans
    Name Phone No. Website Description
    Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project n/a www.studentloanborrowerassistance.org The National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project educates borrowers and their families about options and rights related to student loans.