Steering Committee

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Better Business Bureaus (BBBs) are nonprofit organizations supported primarily by local business members. The focus of BBB activities is to promote an ethical marketplace by encouraging honest advertising and selling practices, and by providing alternative dispute resolution. BBBs offer consumer education materials; answer consumer questions; provide information about businesses, particularly whether or not there are unanswered or unsettled complaints or other marketplace problems; help to resolve buyer/seller complaints; and provide information about charities and other organizations that are seeking public donations. You can access the BBB at www.bbb.org to obtain business and charity reports, to file a complaint about a company or charity, or to view scam alerts and information about BBB locations and programs. The BBBOnLine website, www.bbbonline.org, provides information about online merchants that participate in BBB programs to promote consumer confidence on the Internet.

Consumer Federation of America is an association of some 300 nonprofit consumer groups that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, education, and advocacy at both national and state levels. CFA focuses on issues that directly affect consumers’ daily lives, including food and product safety, communications, energy, financial services, housing, insurance, privacy, and fraud.

The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) serves as a trusted one-stop source for answers to questions about consumer problems and government services. FCIC’s "Pueblo, Colorado 81009" is probably one of the best-known addresses in the country. It's where you can write for the free Consumer Information Catalog and hundreds of low cost Federal publications on everything from your home and car to your health and financial questions. You can also get answers to your questions about the Federal Government and information to deal with everyday consumer issue – on the web and over the telephone.

On the FCIC web site, you can view hundreds of publications, find out about the latest product recalls and scams, privacy resources, or read about emerging consumer issues and topics. In addition, access the online edition of the Consumer Action Handbook, designed to help citizens find the best and most direct source for assistance with their consumer problems and questions.

Finally, our National Call Center serves as a single point of contact for individuals with questions about Federal Agencies, programs and services. Call 1-800-FED-INFO, between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT – our staff can answer your questions about all aspects of the Federal government or direct callers to an appropriate contact.

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Consumer Center staff is available to answer questions about FCC rules, regulations and policies, and resolve informal complaints about issues regulated by the FCC. They can be reached at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); or via TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322). Consumers may also join the FCC's Consumer Registry to receive updates on FCC issues of interest. The Consumer Registry web site is located at: www.fcc.gov/registry.

Are You Ready? Here It Comes-The Digital Television Transition, Feb. 17, 2009 www.dtv.gov

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was established by the Communications Act of 1934 as an independent U.S. government agency.  The FCC regulates television, radio, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states and U.S. territories.   The FCC’s staff is organized by function, with seven Bureaus and 10 staff offices.

The FCC’s website at www.fcc.gov, provides consumers with information on all of the above issues regulated by the FCC.  The FCC provides information in Large Print, Braille, Spanish, and other languages upon request.  Consumers may file complaints regarding a telecommunications service or cable service, provider service or phone bill online at www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.  Consumers may contact the FCC toll-free at 1-888-CALL-FCC, or 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY).

On February 17, 2009, television will undergo the biggest change since color was introduced in the 1950s.  On that date, analog television broadcasting will cease, and all full power stations will broadcast only in digital format.  To educate consumers about this change, the FCC has launched a nationwide consumer education program utilizing our web site at www.dtv.gov, and consumer workshops held in conjunction with organizations and groups around the country, and at its headquarters offices.  The switch to digital will allow for: better TV picture/sound and more programming options; and permit the analog spectrum to be re-allocated for Public Safety and advanced wireless services.

Established in 1933 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) promotes confidence in the banking system by insuring deposits in banks and savings associations for up to $100,000. The FDIC examines and supervises state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System (also known as state non-member banks) for compliance with fair lending and other consumer protection laws and regulations.

The FDIC has statutory responsibility to promote and enforce compliance by FDIC-supervised financial institutions with fair lending and other consumer protection laws and regulations. In addition, as part of its responsibility as insurer of bank and thrift institution deposits, the FDIC promotes public understanding of and confidence in the federal deposit insurance system. The FDIC is committed to maintaining a high standard of service for the public. This is accomplished through the following activities:

• Investigating and resolving complaints received from the general public concerning FDIC-supervised institutions.
• Educating consumers and financial institutions about consumer protection laws and regulations and deposit insurance through outreach activities such as seminars.
• Identifying and analyzing trends or problems in financial institutions that may affect consumer rights and protections.

The FDIC enhances its outreach efforts through its website, www.fdic.gov, which provides the public with ready access to FDIC consumer information, press releases, statistics on banking and other material. Electronic issues of the FDIC Consumer News, a quarterly newsletter for consumers on topics of interest to them also is readily accessible through this website. New information is continually added to the home page as it becomes available. Links to other federal agencies and other resources have been included on the home page to enhance its usefulness. Frequently requested consumer brochures on topics such as correcting bank account errors, safe Internet banking, and preventing ID theft are also available. Consumers also are able to pose questions about the regulations or file complaints about state non-member banks through the website.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the nation's consumer protection champion. The FTC works For The Consumer to prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide the information to identify and avoid fraud and deception.

The FTC publishes free brochures on a variety of consumer related issues. For a complete list of publications go to www.ftc.gov and click on Consumer Protection, or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD (202) 326-2502.

Consumers who have been the victim of fraud or deception may file a complaint online with the FTC at www.ftc.gov, or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. Although the Commission cannot resolve individual disputes, the information you provide may indicate a pattern of possible law violations requiring action by the Commission.

The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) counts among its members the Attorneys General of the 50 states and the District of Columbia and the chief legal officers of the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Attorneys General are the chief legal officers in their respective states and serve as counselors for state government agencies and the legislature and as representatives of the public interest. It is often said that Attorneys General occupy the intersection of law and public policy, dealing in areas as diverse as consumer protection, drug policy, and environmental protection. Through NAAG, Attorneys General are drawn together to work collectively on legal and public policy issues of common concern.

NACAA works aggressively to support and promote the public agencies responsible for ensuring an equitable and informed marketplace. It fosters a forum for lively exchange on the issues of the day, advances consumer education, and promotes equity in relationships between consumers and businesses.

Today, with a quarter century of results behind it, NACAA focuses on emerging consumer issues in North America and around the globe. NACAA members exchange creative new approaches to consumer education. Through dialogue and advocacy, they help formulate and modify consumer laws, policies and regulations. NACAA helps its members meet the challenges posed by new technologies and develop effective methods for reaching a changing population.

To assist the consumer, NACAA’s website provides consumer education tips and information about filing a complaint with state consumer protection and other government officials.

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America 's oldest consumer organization. Its mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. NCL offers educational materials on a wide variety of subjects. Among the programs that NCL operates is LifeSmarts, www.lifesmarts.org, a consumer knowledge contest for teenagers, and the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch, www.fraud.org, which provides advice to consumers about telemarketing and Internet fraud and relays information from consumers about suspected scams to law enforcement agencies.

The OCC was created by Congress to charter, regulate, and supervise all national banks. It also supervises the federal branches and agencies of foreign banks. The OCC ensures a stable and competitive national banking system by working toward four objectives:

• To ensure the safety and soundness of the national banking system.
• To foster competition by allowing banks to offer new products and services.
• To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OCC supervision, including reducing regulatory burden.
• To ensure fair and equal access to financial services for all Americans.

The OCC's nationwide staff of examiners conducts on-site reviews of national banks and provides sustained supervision of bank operations.  The agency issues rules, legal interpretations, and corporate decisions concerning banking, bank investments, bank community development activities, and other aspects of bank operations.  National bank examiners supervise domestic and international activities of national banks, perform corporate analyses, and evaluate bank management's ability to identify and control risk.

Customer Assistance

The OCC’s Customer Assistance Group helps customer resolve issues with their national banks.  Customer Assistance Specialists can answer questions, provide guidance, and when necessary, intercede with banks on behalf of customers.  Specialists are available 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern, Monday through Friday, at 1-800-613-6743 or by e-mail at Customer.Assistance@OCC.Treas.Gov.

HelpWithMyBank.gov answers common banking questions, based on thousands of questions that the OCC’s Customer Assistance Group receives each year.  Topics include credit cards, interest rates, check cashing, late payments, mortgages, and many others.  HelpWithMyBank.gov also makes it easier to contact the OCC, to check if your institution is a national bank, and to find whom to contact if it is not. 

More information is available on the Web at http://www.helpwithmybank.gov.  For more about the OCC, visit www.occ.gov.

Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is one of our country's oldest federal law enforcement agencies. The United States Postal Inspection Service has a long, proud and successful history of fighting criminals who attack our nation's postal system and misuse it to defraud, endanger or otherwise threaten the American public. As the law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is tasked with the enforcement of over 200 federal laws covering investigations of crimes that adversely affect or fraudulently use the U.S. Mail and postal system.

Since 1775, the United States Postal Service (USPS) and its predecessor, the Post Office Department, have connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency that visits more than 146 million homes and businesses every day, the Postal Service is the only service provider delivering to every address in the nation. It receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of $72 billion, it is the world’s leading provider of mailing and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world’s mail volume – some 213 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year – and serves ten million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide.