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Companies that manufacture similar products or offer similar services often belong to industry associations. These associations help resolve problems between their member companies and consumers. Most also provide consumer information and education materials through publications and on their web sites.
If you have a problem with a company and cannot resolve it by working directly with that firm, ask if the company is a member of an association. Then, check this section to see if the association is listed. If the association is not included here, your local library has reference materials to help you find the appropriate contact.
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
750 First Street, NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002
202-336-6780
Fax: 202-842-2593
E-mail: acics@acics.org
Web site: www.acics.org
Association of accredited career schools training in business and business-related subjects.
Susie Irvine, Executive Director
American Financial Services Association (AFSA) Education Foundation
919 Eighteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-466-8611
E-mail: susie@afsamail.org
Web site: www.afsaef.org
The AFSA Education Foundation develops personal money management educational materials to help the public understand the credit process, seek help if credit problems occur, and realize the benefits of responsible money management.
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
1401 H Street, NW
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
202-326-5500
Fax: 202-326-5567
Web site: www.autoalliance.org
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Inc. represents the common interests of its members on a broad range of public policy issues. Through the Alliance, members are able to convey this commitment as well as the industry's accomplishments and its positions on issues to the public, the government, the media and other interested parties.
America's Community Bankers (ACB)
900 19th Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
202-857-3103
Fax: 202-296-8716
E-mail: info@acbankers.org
Web site: www.acbankers.org
ACB is the national trade association for 2,000 savings and community financial institutions and related business firms. ACB makes information developed by its members on consumer financial services, housing, finance, and community development available free of charge.
Joan McNeal, Director, Member and Industry Relations
American Apparel Manufacturers Association
2500 Wilson Blvd., Suite 301
Arlington, VA 22201
703-524-1864
Toll free: 1-800-520-2262
E-mail: jmcneal@americanapparel.org
Web site: www.americanapparel.org
Membership: Manufacturers of clothing.
Toni Griffin, Vice President,Corporate Communications
American Arbitration Association
355 Madison Avenue 10th FL
New York, NY 10017
Toll free: 1-800-778-7879
Web site: www.adr.org
A nonprofit public service organization with 37 regional offices across the country. Provides consumer information on request. Check local telephone directory for listing. If there is no office in your area, write or call the office listed above.
American Bankers Association
1120 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-663-5000
Fax: 202-663-7578
Web site: www.aba.com
The American Bankers Association is the largest banking trade association in the country. Its membership includes community, regional, and money center banks as well as savings associations, trust companies, and savings banks. It will provide consumer education materials on request.
Jack Hanna, Director, Section on Dispute Resolution
American Bar Association
740 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-662-1680
Fax: 202-662-1683
E-mail: dispute@abanet.org
Web site: www.abanet.org/dispute
Publishes a directory of state and local alternative dispute resolution programs. Provides consumer information on request.
American Council of Life Insurers
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 500 South
Washington, DC 20004-2599
202-624-2000
Toll free: 1-800-942-4242 (consumer helpline)
Fax: 202-624-2319
Trade association of over 500 insurance companies that provide life insurance, pensions and annuities, long-term care, and disability income insurance.
American Fence Associaiton
2336 Wisteria Drive, Suite 230
Snelville, GA 30078
678-344-6314
Toll free: 1-800-822-4342
Fax: 678-344-6299
E-mail: afa@mindspring.com
Web site: www.americanfenceassociation.com
The AFA is a national trade association for the fence industry and has over 2000 members nationwide. Members are fence contractors, retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and manufacturers.
American Health Care Association
1201 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005-4014
202-842-4444
Toll free: 1-800-321-0343 (purchase publications only)
Fax: 202-842-3860
Web site: www.ahca.org
Membership: State associations of long-term health care facilities. Also, associate business membership program for health related businesses.
Lisa Snyder, Director, Professional Ethics Division
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza III
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3881
201-938-3175
Fax: 201-938-3367
E-mail: lsnyder@aicpa.org
Membership: Professional organization of accountants certified by the states and territories.
Robert T. Van Hook, CAE, Executive Director
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
1650 King Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-7116
Fax: 703-836-0838
Web site: www.opoffice.org
The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association is a national trade association committed to providing high quality, unprecendented business services and products to O&P professionals. Since our founding in 1917, we have worked diligently to establish ourselves as the voice for O&P businesses. AOPA membership consists of over 1800 O&P companies, suppliers, and affiliates who design, fabricate, fit and supervise the use of orthoses (orthopedic braces) and prostheses (artificial limbs).
Linda High, Director, Consumer Affairs
American Society of Travel Agents, Inc.
1101 King Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-739-8739 (consumer hot line)
Fax: 703-684-8319
Web site: www.astanet.com
Membership: Travel agents.
Gail Raiman, Director, Communications Division
American Textile Manufacturers Institute
1130 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
202-862-0500
Web site: www.atmi.org
Membership: Textile plants which produce a variety of textile products, including fabrics for apparel, home furnishings and industrial fabrics.
Marisa Gordon, Asst. Communications Director
American Toy Institute
1115 Broadway, Suite 400
New York, NY 10010
212-675-1141
Fax: 212-633-1429
Web site: www.toy-tma.com
Membership: American toy manufacturers.
Better Hearing Institute (BHI)
P.O. Box 1840
Washington, DC 20013
703-644-3391
Toll free: 1-800-EAR-WELL
Voice/TDD: 1-888-HEAR-HELP
Fax: 703-684-6048
E-mail: MAIL@betterhearing.org
Web site: www.betterhearing.org
A nonprofit educational organization, BHI informs persons with impaired hearing and the general public about hearing loss and available help through medicine, surgery, amplification, and other rehabilitation. Membership: professionals and others who help persons with impaired hearing.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
Consumer Affairs
1310 G Street, NW
12th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
202-626-4780
Fax: 202-626-4833
Web site: www.bluecross.com
Membership: Local Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in the United States, Canada and Jamaica.
Caroline Ajootian, Director, Consumer Protection Bureau
Boat Owners Association of The United States, BOAT/ U.S.
880 South Pickett Street
Alexandria, VA 22304-0730
703-823-9550
Web site: www.boatus.com
The Consumer Protection Bureau serves as a mediator in disputes between boat owners and the marine industry, BOAT/U.S. also works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to monitor safety defect problems.
Career College Association (CCA)
10 G Street NE
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20002
202-336-6700
E-mail: briann@career.org
Web site: career.org
Membership: Career-specific post secondary education institutions.
Kathryn Sellers, Director of Communications
The Carpet and Rug Institute
301 Holiday Avenue
PO Box 2048
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-3176
Toll free: 1-800-882-8846
Fax: 706-278-8835
Web site: www.carpet-rug.com
Membership: Manufacturers of carpets, rugs, bath mats; suppliers of raw materials and services to the industry.
Robert Fells, Assistant Secretary
Cemetery Consumer Service Council
P.O. Box 2028
Reston, VA 20195-0028
703-391-8407
Fax: 703-391-8416
Industry-sponsored dispute resolution program. Other consumer information about cemetery practices and rules available on request.
Janis McCubbrey, Manager, Consumer Relations
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
Communication and Consumer Services
1700 Broadway
Suite 2100
Denver, CO 80290-2101
303-830-7500
Toll free: 1-888-237-6275
Fax: 303-860-7388
E-mail: mail@cfp-board.org
Web site: www.CFP-Board.org
The CFP Board is a nonprofit professional regulatory organization founded in 1985 to benefit the public by fostering professional standards in personal financial planning. Individuals who meet rigorous certification requirements are certified by the CFP Board to use its federally registered trademarks CFP and Certified Financial Planner. Consumers can call the CFP Board or visit its web site to confirm that a planner is authorized to use the CFP trademarks, to learn if the CFP Board has publicly disciplined a planner, or to lodge a complaint against a CFP practitioner. The Board also provides consumer education information on financial planning, choosing a financial planner and other relevant topics.
Children's Advertising Review Unit
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
845 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212-705-0124
Fax: 212-308-4743
Web site: www.caru.org
Handles consumer complaints about truth and accuracy of advertising directed to children under 12 years of age.
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
2500 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22201-3834
703-907-7600
Fax: 703-907-7601
Web site: www.ce.org
CEA, a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), represents more than 600 U.S. companies involved in the development, manufacturing and distribution of audio, video, mobile electronics, communications, information technology, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services, that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, these companies account for more than $60 billion in annual sales.
Eva Cry, Information Manager
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
5710 Mineral Point Road
Madison, WI 53701
608-232-8256
Fax: 608-232-8240
E-mail: ecry@cuna,com
Web site: www.cuna.org
Serves more than 90% of credit unions through credit union leagues in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Credit unions are cooperative non-profit financial institutions owned and controlled by members; they belong to credit union leagues, which belong to CUNA.
Direct Marketing Association
Consumer Affairs
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036
202-955-5030
Fax: 202-955-0085
E-mail: consumer@the-dma.org
Web site: www.the-dma.org
Membership: Companies who market goods and services directly to consumers using direct mail, catalogs, telemarketing, magazine and newspaper ads, and broadcast on-line advertising. DMA operates the Consumer Line, Mail Preference Service and Telephone Preference Service. ConsumerLine
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036
202-955-5030
Fax: 202-955-085
E-mail: consumer@the-dma.org
Web site: www.the-dma.org
Handles complaints regarding both DMA members and non-members. Mail Preference Service
P.O. Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
Handles written requests for name removal from most national advertising mailing lists. Sweepstakes Helpline
1111 19th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-861-2475
E-mail: sweepstakes@the-dma.org
Handles complaints related specifically to sweepstakes advertising, including complaints from caregivers of older consumers. Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014
Handles written requests for name and telephone number removal from most national telemarketing lists.
Direct Selling Association (DSA)
1275 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
202-347-8866
Fax: Fax: 202-347-0055
E-mail: info@dsa.org
Web site: www.dsa.org
Membership: Companies that manufacture and distribute consumer products person-to-person and through home-party plans using independent salespeople. All members comply with the DSA Code of Ethics which protects consumers of direct selling products as well as the sellers of the products and opportunities.
Cindy Donahue, Meeting Coordinator
Distance Education and Training Council
1601 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-234-5100
E-mail: detc@detc.org
Membership: Home study (correspondence) schools.
Financial Planning Association
Offices in Atlanta, Denver, and Washington
,
Toll free: 1-800-282-7526
Fax: 404-845-3660
E-mail: fpa@fpanet.org
Web site: www.fpanet.org
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is the membership organization for the financial planning community. Its members are dedicated to supporting the financial planning process in order to help people achieve their goals and dreams. FPA believes that everyone needs objective advice to make smart financial decisions and that when seeking the advice of a financial planner, the planner should be a CFP licensee.
Food Marketing Institute (FMI)
655 15th Street N. W. Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
202-452-8444
Web site: www.fmi.org
FMI conducts programs in research, education, industry relations and public affairs on behalf of its members - grocery retailers and wholesalers.
Terry R. Head, President
Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, Inc.
2320 Mill Road, Suite 102
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-3780
Fax: Fax: 703-684-3784
E-mail: HHGFAA@AOL.com
Web site: www.hhgfaa.org
The Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, Inc. represents movers and forwarders who handle commercial, government and military shipments of household goods. Founded in 1962, now with members in over 150 countries worldwide, HHGFAA is dedicated to fostering an industry-wide commitment to the highest standards of international household goods moving services.
Jeanne Salvatore, Vice President, Consumer Affairs
Insurance Information Institute
Communications
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038
212-669-9241
Toll free: 1-800-331-9146
E-mail: jeannes@iii.org
Web site: www.iii.org
The National Insurance Consumer Helpline is a resource for consumers with automobile, homeowners and life insurance questions. The Helpline is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time. Spanish-speaking operators also available.
Carol Roberts, Executive Director
International Association of Lemon Law Administrators
89 Annabessacook Drive
Winthrop, ME 04364
Web site: www.ialla.net, www.TheLemonLaw.org
This organization supports and promotes government agencies that administer motor vehicle warranty and related laws, through the publication of a newsletter, consumer and industry education, and other intergovernmental activities.
Greg Patzer, Executive Vice President
Monument Builders of North America
3158 South River Road, Ste 224
Des Plaines, IL 60018
847-803-8800
Fax: 847-803-8823
Web site: www.monumentbuilders.org
Membership: Cemetery monument retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers; bronze manufacturers and suppliers. Consumer brochures available on request.
Larry Hecker, President
Motorist Assurance Program
7101 Wisconsin Ave
Suite 1200
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-634-4955
Fax: 202-318-0378
E-mail: map@motorist.org
Web site: www.motorist.org
MAP accredits those auto repair shops that apply and follow industry developed standards for inspecting vehicles as well as meet other requirements, handles inquiries/disputes between accredited shops and customers and offers information to consumers about how to locate a repair shop how to talk to a technician and how to gain satisfaction from auto repair shops.
Andrea C. Levine, Director
National Advertising Division (NAD)
A Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
845 Third Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10022
212-754-1320
Fax: 212-832-1296
Handles complaints about the truth and accuracy of national advertising.
National Association of Funeral Directors
P.O. Box 486
Elm Grove, WI 53122-9486
Toll free: 1-800-662-7666
Third party dispute resolution program for complaints regarding funeral homes.
William Young, Director, Consumer Affairs/Public Liaison
National Association of Home Builders
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-822-0409
Toll free: 1-800-368-5242 (outside DC metro area)
Web site: www.nahb.com
Membership: Single and multi family home builders, commercial builders and others associated with the building industry.
David Wetmore, Director
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Federal and International Relations
444 North Capitol St, NW #701
Washington, DC 20001
202-624-7790
Fax: 202-624-8579
Web site: www.naic.org
NAIC is the organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the four U.S. territories. One of its primary functions is consumer protection. It produces a number of guides which are distributed to insurance departments and directly to consumers upon request.
Diane Callis, President
National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS)
3133 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
703-684-0180
Fax: 703-684-0071
Web site: www.napsweb.org
Membership: Private employment agencies.
Ted Besesparis, Director Public Relations
National Association of Professional Insurance Agents
400 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-9340
Fax: 703-836-4933
E-mail: tedbe@pianet.org
Web site: www.PIANET.com
Provides consumers practical advice on personal insurance buying through its national outreach program.
National Association of Security Dealers
Office of Dispute Resolution
125 Broad Street
36th Floor
New York, NY 10004
212-858-4400
Fax: 212-858-4429
Third-party dispute resolution for complaints about over-the-counter stocks and corporate bonds.
Brian Folkerts, Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications
National Food Processors Association
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-639-5900
Fax: 202-639-5932
E-mail: nfpa@nfpa-food.org
Web site: www.nfpa-food.org
Membership: Commercial packers of such food products as fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, and canned, frozen, dehydrated, pickled and other preserved food items.
Larry Dyekman, Director of Communications and Education
National Futures Association (NFA)
200 West Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60606-3447
312-781-1370
Toll free: 1-800-621-3570 (outside IL)
Fax: 312-781-1467
Web site: www.nfa.futures.org
Contact NFA regarding disputes with futures commission merchants, commodity trading advisors, commodity pool operators, introducing brokers, and associated individuals.
Jeff Zeltzer, Executive Director
National Home Equity Mortgage Association
1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20004
202-347-1210
Fax: Fax: 202-347-1171
E-mail: jzeltzer-de@nhema.org
Web site: www.nhema.org
Founded in 1974, NHEMA is committed to keeping consumers informed and able to take advantage of the benefits afforded by home equity mortgages. Today, NHEMA represents 350 member companies in all 50 states, employing tens of thousands of people and providing needed credit to millions of Americans. NHEMA has a free consumer website designed to help borrowers borrow smart and avoid problems: www.borrowsmart.com
Nancy White, Director, Communications
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
13505 Dulles Technology Drive, Suite 2
Herndon, VA 20171-3421
703-713-3800
Fax: 703-713-0727
E-mail: nwhite@asecert.org
Web site: www.asecert.org
ASE is an independent, national nonprofit organization founded in 1972 to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive repair professionals. More than 424,000 ASE-certified technicians work in dealerships, independent repair shops, service stations, auto parts stores, fleets and schools. ASE publishes several consumer publications about auto maintenance and repair.
Sherrie Rosenblatt, Director, Department of Public Relations
National Turkey Federation
1225 New York Avenue, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
202-898-0100
Fax: 202-898-0203
E-mail: info@turkeyfed.org
Web site: www.eatturkey.com
Membership: Turkey growers, hatcheries, breeders, processors, marketers, and allied industry firms and poultry distributors.
Michael Kaiser, NACPI President
North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI)
c/o Georgia Office of Consumer Affairs
#2 M. L. King Jr. Drive, Plaza Level East
Atlanta, GA 30334
NACPI provides training and support for consumer protection investigators in government agencies at all levels. NACPI does not investigate individual consumer complaints, but helps investigators share information of mutual concern.
North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc.
10 G Street, NE
Suite 710
Washington, DC 20002
202-737-0900
Fax: 202-783-3571
E-mail: general@nasaa.org
Web site: www.nasaa.org
NASAA is an international organization devoted to investor protection. Its membership consists of the 66 state, provincial and territorial securities administrators in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. In the United States, NASAA is the voice of the 50 state securities agencies responsible for the grass-roots investor protection, investor education and efficient capital formation.
Craig Halverson, Assistant Executive Director
Photo Marketing Association Internatonal
3000 Picture Place
Jackson, MI 49201
517-788-8100
Toll free: 1-800-762-9287
Fax: 517-788-8371
E-mail: chalverson@pmai.org
Web site: www.pmai.org
Membership: Retailers of photo equipment, film and supplies; firms developing and printing film.
RV Consumer Group
PO Box 520
Quilcene, WA 98376
Order Desk: 1-800-405-3325
E-mail: rvgroup@rv.org
Web site: www.rv.org
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to the safety of recreational vehicles. We are not aligned or affiliated with the RV industry. We offer books and memberships to help consumers with the selection of buying RVs.
Nancy Bock, Director of Consumer Affairs
The Soap and Detergent Association
1500 K St NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-2900
Fax: 202-347-4110
Web site: www.cleaning101.com
The Soap and Detergent Association is the non-profit trade association representing over 100 North American manufacturers of household, industrial and institutional cleaning products; their ingredients; and finished packaging. SDA members produce more than 90% of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S. Free/low cost educational materials are available to consumers and educators on handwashing, asthma education, fabric care, hard surface cleaning and the safe, effective and responsible use of household cleaning products.
Tire Association of North America
11921 Freedom Drive, Suite 550
Reston, VA 20190
703-736-8082
Toll free: 1-800-876-8372
Membership: Independent tire dealers and retreaders.
Robert Whitley, President
United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
342 Madison Avenue, Suite 1522
New York, NY 10173
212-599-6599
Fax: 212-599-6744
E-mail: USTOA@aol.com
Membership: Wholesale tour operators, common carriers, suppliers, and providers of travel services. |
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