Kathie Gummere Recommends…
Some Incredibly Useful Websites
How to Report Frauds and Scams
Fraud is pervasive, and fraudsters are bold and shameless. If you have been scammed by a door-to-door solicitor or ripped off by a shady contractor, contact your local police and your state attorney general or district attorney. For other types of scams refer to the following list of federal watchdog agencies. Depending on your issue, you may need to involve several of these, plus local authorities.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
ftc.gov/complaint
877-382-4357
This is the agency to contact to report identity theft, abusive debt collectors and most types of fraud. Once you file a complaint, you will be provided with a reference number that you will use when contacting the agency for updates to your case. The FTC does not respond back to you or work to resolve your individual case. However, your complaint will be entered into a database that the FTC and civil and criminal enforcement agencies use to track the patterns of scams and build their cases against perpetrators of scams. Always report your complaint to your state’s attorney general and local law enforcement in conjunction with filing your FTC report.
NATIONAL DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
donotcall.gov
888-382-1222
This site is for reporting unsolicited sales calls. Once you add your phone number to the registry, after 31 days you can report unwanted calls. Your information will be pooled to help catch violators. This site only addresses sales calls. Legitimate charities, survey firms, political candidates and debt collectors are not included in Do Not Call rules.
CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU
consumerfinance.gov/complaint
855-411-2372
For complaints about shady business practices and suspicious financial products. This includes loans, bank services, ID theft, credit reporting, debt collection and payment cards. The CFPB directly forwards complaints to the company, which has 15 days to respond and 60 days to resolve. For credit cards, bank ATM cards and debit cards that are lost, stolen or used fraudulently, contact the issuer directly.
INTERNET CRIME COMPLAINT CENTER
ic3.gov/complaint
Internet based scams, including online auctions, investment and sales fraud, hacking and phishing, internet extortion and scam emails should be reported to this agency, which is operated by the FBI. The IC3 does not directly investigate claims, but it does forward complaints to the appropriate regulatory and law enforcement agencies.
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How to Get Meaningful Access to Justice in Arizona
Access legal information and the court system through an Arizona specific virtual legal information resource center. AzCourtHelp provides self-help resources including, access to court calendars, links to court forms with simplified instructions for use, links to legal aid organizations and much more.
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Credit
To get a free credit report:
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
Credit problems? Visit this website for important information on how to choose a credit counselor and how to manage your debt.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/credit-loans-and-debt/credit-and-debt
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Powers of Attorney
Have you been given role of Power of Attorney or Fiduciary? Not sure what your job entails?
https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201310_cfpb_lay_fiduciary_guides_agents.pdf
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Trusts
Have you been given the role of Trustee under a revocable Living Trust? Not sure what your job entails?
https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201310_cfpb_lay_fiduciary_guides_trustees.pdf
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Emergency Preparedness
Learn how to prepare for emergencies such as wildfires and floods:
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Elder Resources
Need help in caring for an elder? Lots of information and resources at:
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