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Trade and Professional Associations
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 cannot
resolve it by working directly with that firm, ask if the company is a member of an association.
Then, check here to see if the association is listed. If not, your local library has reference
materials to help you find the appropriate contact.
Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
750 First Street, NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002
202-336-6780
Fax: 202-842-2593
E-mail: :[email protected]
Association of accredited career schools training in business and business-related subjects.
AFSA Education Foundation
Susie Irvine, Executive Director
919 Eighteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-466-8611
E-mail:[email protected]
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.
America's Community Bankers (ACB)
900 19th Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
202-857-3103
Fax: 202-296-8716
E-mail: [email protected]
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.
American Apparel Manufacturers Association
Joan McNeal, Director, Member and Industry Relations
2500 Wilson Blvd., Suite 301
Arlington, VA 22201
703-524-1864
Toll free: 1-800-520-2262
E-mail:[email protected]
Membership: Manufacturers of clothing.
American Arbitration Association
Toni Griffin, Vice President,Corporate Communications
355 Madison Avenue 10th FL
New York, NY 10017
Toll free: 1-800-778-7879
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 Automobile Manufacturers Association
1401 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-326-5500
Fax: 202-326-5546
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association members are Chrysler Corporation,
Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. The association provides industry
statistics and educational material on issues affecting the automobile industry.
American Bankers Association
1120 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-663-5000
Fax: 202-663-7578
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.
American Bar Association
Jack Hanna, Director, Section on Dispute Resolution
740 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-662-1680
Fax: 202-662-1683
E-mail: [email protected]
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 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
Membership: State associations of long-term health care facilities. Also, associate business
membership program for health related businesses.
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Lisa Snyder, Director, Professional Ethics Division
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza III
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3881
201-938-3175
Fax: 201-938-3367
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership: Professional organization of accountants certified by the states and territories.
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
Robert T. Van Hook, CAE, Executive Director
1650 King Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-7116
Fax: 703-836-0838
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).
American Society of Travel Agents, Inc.
Linda High, Director, Consumer Affairs
1101 King Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-739-8739 (consumer hot line)
Fax: 703-684-8319
Membership: Travel agents.
American Textile Manufacturers Institute
Gail Raiman, Director, Communications Division
1130 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
202-862-0500
Membership: Textile plants which produce a variety of textile products, including fabrics for
apparel, home furnishings and industrial fabrics.
American Toy Institute
Marisa Gordon, Asst. Communications Director
1115 Broadway, Suite 400
New York, NY 10010
212-675-1141
Fax: 212-633-1429
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:[email protected]
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
Membership: Local Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in the United States, Canada
and Jamaica.
Boat Owners Association of The United States, BOAT/ U.S.
Caroline Ajootian, Director, Consumer Protection Bureau
880 South Pickett Street
Alexandria, VA 22304-0730
703-823-9550
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: [email protected]
Membership: Career-specific post secondary education institutions.
Carpet and Rug Institute
Kathryn Sellers, Director of Communications
301 Holiday Avenue
PO Box 2048
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-3176
Toll free: 1-800-882-8846
Fax: 706-278-8835
Membership: Manufacturers of carpets, rugs, bath mats; suppliers of raw materials
and services to the industry.
Cemetery Consumer Service Council
Robert Fells, Assistant Secretary
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.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
Communication and Consumer Services
Janis McCubbrey, Manager, Consumer Relations
1700 Broadway
Suite 2100
Denver, CO 80290-2101
303-830-7500
Toll free: 1-888-237-6275
Fax: 303-860-7388
E-mail: [email protected]
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 licensed 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 (CARU)
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
845 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212-705-0124
Fax: 212-308-4743
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
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.
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
Eva Cry, Information Manager
5710 Mineral Point Road
Madison, WI 53701
608-232-8256
Fax: 608-232-8240
E-mail: [email protected]
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 (DMA)
Consumer Affairs
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036
202-955-5030
Fax: 202-955-0085
E-mail: [email protected]
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: same as above
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: [email protected]
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:[email protected]
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.
Distance Education and Training Council
Cindy Donahue, Meeting Coordinator
1601 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-234-5100
E-mail: [email protected]
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:[email protected]
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
FMI conducts programs in research, education, industry relations and public affairs
on behalf of its members - grocery retailers and wholesalers.
Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, Inc.
Terry R. Head, President
2320 Mill Road, Suite 102
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-3780
Fax: Fax: 703-684-3784
E-mail: [email protected]
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.
Insurance Information Institute
Communications
Jeanne Salvatore, Vice President, Consumer Affairs
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038
212-669-9241
Toll free: 1-800-331-9146
E-mail: [email protected]
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.
International Association of Lemon Law Administrators
Carol Roberts, Executive Director
RR 3, Box 510
Winthrop, ME 04364
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.
Monument Builders of North America
Greg Patzer, Executive Vice President
3158 South River Road, Ste 224
Des Plaines, IL 60018
847-803-8800
Fax: 847-803-8823
Membership: Cemetery monument retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers; bronze
manufacturers and suppliers. Consumer brochures available on request.
Motorist Assurance Program
Larry Hecker, President
1444 I Street NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
202-712-9042
202-712-9022
1-800-292-4965
Fax: 202-318-0378
E-mail: [email protected]
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.
National Advertising Division (NAD)
Andrea C. Levine, Director
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 Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI)
Cynthia Francis, NACPI President
c/o Arizona Attorney General's Office
400 West Congress, Suite 315
Tuscon, AZ 85701
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.
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.
National Association of Home Builders
William Young, Director, Consumer Affairs/Public Liaison
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-822-0409
Toll free: 1-800-368-5242 (outside DC metro area)
Membership: Single and multi family home builders, commercial builders and others
associated with the building industry.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Federal and International Relations
David Wetmore, Director
444 North Capitol St, NW #701
Washington, DC 20001
202-624-7790
Fax: 202-624-8579
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.
National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS)
Diane Callis, President
3133 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305
703-684-0180
Fax: 703-684-0071
Membership: Private employment agencies.
National Association of Professional Insurance Agents
Ted Besesparis, Director Public Relations
400 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-9340
Fax: 703-836-4933
E-mail: [email protected]
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.
National Food Processors Association
Brian Folkerts, Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-639-5900
Fax: 202-639-5932
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership: Commercial packers of such food products as fruit, vegetables, meat,
poultry, seafood, and canned, frozen, dehydrated, pickled and other preserved food items.
National Futures Association
Laura Oatney, Director, Public Affairs and Education
200 West Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60606-3447
312-781-1370
Toll free: 1-800-621-3570 (outside IL)
Fax: 312-781-1467
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact NFA regarding disputes with futures commission merchants, commodity trading
advisors, commodity pool operators, introducing brokers, and associated individuals.
National Home Equity Mortgage Association
Jeff Zeltzer, Executive Director
1301 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20004
202-347-1210
Fax: Fax: 202-347-1171
E-mail [email protected]
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.
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Nancy White, Director, Communications
13505 Dulles Technology Drive, Suite 2
Herndon, VA 20171-3421
703-713-3800
Fax: 703-713-0727
E-mail: [email protected]
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.
National Turkey Federation
Sherrie Rosenblatt, Director, Department of Public Relations
1225 New York Avenue, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
202-898-0100
Fax: 202-898-0203
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership: Turkey growers, hatcheries, breeders, processors, marketers, and allied
industry firms and poultry distributors.
North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (NASAA)
10 G Street, NE
Suite 710
Washington, DC 20002
202-737-0900
Fax: 202-783-3571
E-mail: [email protected]
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.
Photo Marketing Association
Craig Halverson, Assistant Executive Director
3000 Picture Place
Jackson, MI 49201
517-788-8100
Toll free: 1-800-762-9287
Fax: 517-788-8371
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership: Retailers of photo equipment, film and supplies; firms developing and printing film.
Soap and Detergent Association
Jane Meyer, Director of Consumer Education
475 Park Avneue South
New York, NY 10016
212-924-2944
Fax: 212-924-3052
Membership: manufacturers of soap, detergents, fatty acids and glycerine; raw materials suppliers.
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.
United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
Robert Whitley, President
342 Madison Avenue, Suite 1522
New York, NY 10173
212-599-6599
Fax: 212-599-6744
E-mail: [email protected]
Membership: Wholesale tour operators, common carriers, suppliers, and providers of travel services.