Updated: October 2010

Consumer Information & Assistance

Thirty years after its inception, Consumer Action’s complaint hotline is still ringing. The help desk receives as many as 500 calls and email messages each month about everything from identity theft to handling a product or service dispute, each of which receives a personal response within 24 hours. Assistance is free, and may include information, non-legal advice, and referrals to appropriate complaint-handling agencies.

In most cases, the consumer will receive, at no charge, one or more selections from Consumer Action’s materials library. These publications are available in many languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. This extensive archive of free, translated consumer education tools is a unique effort of Consumer Action, and supports the organization’s goal of providing consumer and financial literacy education across both income and ethnic barriers.

Consumers can reach the hotline by calling (415) 777-9635 (San Francisco) or (213) 624-8327 (Los Angeles). Click here to email the hotline. Assistance is available in English, Spanish and Chinese.