Consumer
Information
American Association of Retired Persons
AARP - MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
1-888-687-2277
www.aarp.org
AARP - California office - Membership Information
1-866-448-3614
www.aarp.org
AARP 55 ALIVE MATURE DRIVERS PROGRAM
1-888-227-7669
Description: Classes are held at various sites, call for times and locations.
AARP Mobile Unit (van)
230-2701
AARP GRANDPARENT INFORMATION CENTER
(559) 230-2701 or 1-866-448-3615
www.aarp.org
Description: Offers resources for grandparents of all types – those living close by or long distance, grandparents raising grandchildren, step grandparents, or those with visitation issues.
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
1-800-649-7570
www.cpuc.ca.gov
Write: CPUC Consumers Affairs
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
Description: Assists with telecommunications, energy and water service complaints.
TRANSPORTATION - CONSUMER PROTECTION AND SAFETY DIVISION
1-800-894-9444
www.cpuc.ca.gov
Write : CPUC Utility Complaint Intake Unit, Transportation Enforcement Section – Consumer Protection and Safety Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
Description: Assists with complaints about a passenger carrier.
UTILTY SAFETY BRANCH
1-800-755-1447
www.cpuc.ca.gov
Write: CPUC Utility Safety Branch
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
Description: Assists with safety regulations concerning public safety of gas, electric, cable, phone and mobile home parks.
Consumer Miscellaneous Programs
CENTENARIAN GREETINGS FROM THE GOVERNOR
Mail to:
Correspondence Unit
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Eligibility: For people 100 years or older. Allow at least three weeks.
Include: Name / Date of Birth / Address
PERSONAL CENSUS SERVICE
www.census.gov
Mail to:
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
PO Box 1545
Jeffersonville, IN 47131
Description: Census Bureau for lost personal records, i.e.: birth certificates, death certificates.
PERSONAL GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT
1-202-456-5447
FAX - 1-202-395-1232
www.whitehouse.gov/greeting
Or mail to:
Greetings Office
The White House
Attn: Greetings Office
Washington, D.C. 20502-0039
Hours: 9:00 - 5:00pm, Monday – Friday, Eastern Time
Eligibility:
Over 80 years old or couples married for 50 years or more. Allow 6 weeks for delivery. Clearly written or typed
Include:
Name(s)-Mrs., Ms., Mr., Dr. & etc.
Age or year married
Address
Daytime phone number
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
4201 W. Shaw, #107, Fresno CA 93722
222-8111
www.bbb.org
Hours: 9:00 - 4:30pm, Monday – Friday
Eligibility: None
Fee: None
Area Served: Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Madera, Mariposa,
Merced, Mono, Tulare and Bakersfield
Transportation: None
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Languages: Spanish
Description: To file complaints or to learn of complaints regarding local businesses.
BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
(559) 445-5015
4152 W. Swift Ave., Suite 104, Fresno, CA 93722
Hours: 8:00 - 5:00pm, Monday – Friday
Eligibility: None
Fee: None
Area Served: Central San Joaquin Valley
Application Procedure: Call to request a complaint form
Transportation: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Languages: Spanish
Description: Receives auto repair and smog check complaints. Vehicle that do not pass smog test can be retired for up to $1000.
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
SMOG CHECK ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
1-866-272-9642
www.smogcheck.ca.gov
Description: Smog repair assistance and vehicle retirement programs
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
1-800-622-0620
www.dfi.ca.gov
Description: Consumer inquiries or complaints about state chartered banks, credit unions, and other state regulated institutions.
CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSING BOARD
3374 E. Shields Ave., Room E-17, Fresno, CA 93726
1-800-321-2752
www.cslb.ca.gov
(559) 445-5281
Hours: 8:00 - 5:00pm, Monday – Friday
Eligibility: None
Fee: None
Area Served: Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Kings, Mono, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, and Merced counties
Application Procedure: Call for information
Transportation: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Languages: Spanish
Description: Handles investigations from in the area listed and on-line file complaint.
COUNTY CLERK - Fresno County
(559) 488-3476
To obtain copies of birth, marriage, death certificates.
COUNTY CLERK – Madera County
675-7703
To obtain copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates.
Dealership complaints
(559) 488-4024
To file complaints against car dealerships and DMV Investigations.
DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
1625 N. Market Blvd., #N112, Sacramento, CA 95838
1-800-952-5210
www.dca.ca.gov
Description: Handles complaints regarding vehicle repairs, smog checks, cosmetology, credit cards, laws protecting consumers, prizes & lotteries, retail, tenant-landlord and more.
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
655 W. Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
1-800-777-0133
2103 Shaw Ave., Clovis, CA 93611
1-800-777-0133
6420 N. Blackstone, Fresno, CA 93710
1-800-777-0133
www.dmv.ca.gov
Hours: 8:00 - 5:00pm, Monday – Friday, extended hours at some offices
Eligibility: 15½ years and older
Fee: Varies
Area Served: State of California
Application Procedure: Telephone or in person
Transportation: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Languages: All languages
Description: Driver and auto licensing.
DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE
(559) 445-5009
Description: To file complaints against real estate agents/companies.
FRESNO-MADERA AREA AGENCY ON AGING
3837 N. Clark St., Fresno, CA 93726
(559) 600-4405 or 1-800-510-2020
www.fmaaa.org
Email - services@fmaaa.org
Area Served: Fresno and Madera counties
Description: Plans, coordinates and advocates a comprehensive delivery system to meet the needs of people 60 years and older. Provides information about services available to seniors and disabled individuals.
FRESNO-MADERA OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM
(559) 224-9177
www.valleycrc.org/ombudsman.htm
3845 N. Clark Ave., #201, Fresno, CA 93726
Description: Advocates for residents of long term care facilities.
FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE OF CENTRAL CA
P.O. Box 101, Fresno, CA 93707
(559) 268-2181 or (559) 291-3818
Description: Provides consumer information and assures simplicity and fair charges for after death services.
HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO) HOTLINE
1-800-400-0815 or 1-888-466-2219
www.hmohelp.ca.gov
Description: For consumer complaints against HMO insurance agencies.
PROPERTY TAX POSTPONEMENT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
BLIND OR DISABLED
1-800-952-5661
www.sco.ca.gov
Description: Seniors 62+ or disabled may qualify for a program that postpones property taxes.
VOTER SERVICES
(559) 488-3246
2221 Kern St., Fresno, Ca 93721
Tax Assistance
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA LEGAL SERVICES
(559) 570-1200 or 1-800-675-8001
www.centralcallegal.org
1401 N. Fulton, suite 700 Fresno CA, 93721
Hours: Call for days and times of tax clinics
Eligibility: Low income Fresno County residents
Fee: None
Area Served: Fresno County
Application Procedure: Call for appointment
Transportation: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Languages: Call for information
Description: Free legal assistance to low income clients, includes help with examinations or audits, collections, appeals, innocent spouse relief and earned income tax credit.
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS)
1-800-829-3676 Forms / Publications
1-800-829-4477 Information / Refunds
1-800-829-1040 Problem Resolution
www.irs.gov
TAX AIDE PROGRAM/VITA PROGRAM (AARP)
(559) 453-4405 or 1-800-510-2020
Hours: Call the Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging, Senior Information & Assistance Program for days and times of tax clinics.
Eligibility: Seniors 50 years and older and low-income Fresno and Madera County residents
Fee: None
Area Served: Fresno and Madera counties
Application Procedure: Call for appointment between February through April
Transportation: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Languages: Call for information
Description: Trained AARP volunteers help those eligible to file simple tax returns
TAXPAYER ADVOCATE SERVICE
1-877-777-4778 or 1-800-829-1040
www.irs.gov/advocate
Description: TAS is an independent organization within the IRS. Assist taxpayers who are experiencing economic harm, such as not being able to provide necessities like housing, transportation, or food; taxpayers who are seeking help in resolving problems is not working as it should. This service is free. You may be eligible for this type of help if you have tried to resolve your tax problem through normal IRS channels and have gotten nowhere.
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