The Service Tree lists all services in "branched" groups, starting with the very general and moving to the very specific. Click on the name of any group name to see the sub-groups available within it. Click on a service code to see its details and the providers who offer that service.
Consumer Protection Agencies
Related services
Nonprofit organizations sponsored by private, local businesses which provide general information about products or services, reliability reports, background information regarding local businesses and records of the companies' complaint handling performances. Most Better Business Bureaus accept complaints against businesses and help to resolve disputes through mediation or binding arbitration utilizing volunteer arbitration panels.
Government Consumer Protection Agencies
Consumer protection offices that are part of federal, state, county or city governments which receive, investigate and resolve through direct action or referral to law enforcement or regulatory agencies, consumer complaints that are a result of transactions in the marketplace. Most government consumer affairs offices also publish and disseminate a large selection of consumer education materials, initiate studies to improve standards of conduct for businesses and consumers, and analyze and recommend changes in consumer protection legislation.
Associations formed by individual businesses in a particular industry that join together to assist one another with business problems, to promote their industry, to offer consumer information, and, in some cases, to handle consumer complaints. Some trade associations have established third-party dispute resolution programs to arbitrate disputes that cannot be resolved by the associations.
Radio, television or newspaper-sponsored programs, often referred to as "Action Lines" or "Hotlines", which intervene on behalf of consumers utilizing their power and influence in the community and the threat of adverse publicity to persuade offending merchants, businesses or professionals to take swift corrective action.