Consumer Services Guide (CSG)

Consumer Action Edition

The Consumer Services Guide is searchable directory of resources which can help you with consumer problems and questions. There are multiple editions of the ‘Guide’, some which deal with specific issues such as housing or credit. The full directory, the Consumer Service Guide Edition, provides access to all the resources collected by Consumer Action.

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• Ventura County District Attorney
  Consumer information and advice. Complaints accepted in consumer-merchant disputes where either the consumer or the merchant is located in Ventura County. Some landlord/tenant disputes accepted.
  
  
• Veribanc, Inc.
  VERIBANC® provides safe and sound bank ratings on all U.S. federally insured financial institutions in "plain English". Detailed research and risk analysis are also available. For over 29 years, their bank rating system has helped consumers, business people, and government offices manage banking risk and protect their deposits and investments against bank failure and fraud.
  
  
• Vermont - Attorney General
  The Consumer Protection Unit of the Attorney General’s Office investigates and prosecutes violations of Vermont’s consumer laws, which prohibits businesses from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The consumer protection staff represents the State of Vermont, and through the State, the public, by: * through the Consumer Assistance Program (“CAP”), using a “letter-mediation” process to resolve individual consumer complaints. * investigating serious or…
  
  
• Vermont - Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  Contact for pre-purchase inquiry and complaint information on local businesses. Takes complaints on companies and arbitrates problems and disputes. Monitors and reviews local advertising and tracks and reports on charitable organizations.
  
  
• Vermont - Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration
  The Department promotes and assures the financial health, stability, quality and integrity of Vermont financial service providers and health care entities. Refer to the website for various email addresses on the individual area - Banking, Insurance, Securities, and Health Care.
  
  
• Vermont - Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
  Vermont DMV site has been created to help you renew or register for a drivers license, find DMV forms, practice tests, drivers ed & traffic schools, auto insurance, or just about anything else related to Vermont DMV.
  
  
• Vermont - Public Service Board
  The Public Service Board is a three member, quasi-judicial board that supervises the rates, quality of service, and overall financial management of Vermont's public utilities: electric, gas, telecommunications and private water companies. The board also supervises cable television companies, although federal law preempts most authority to regulate cable rates or programming.
  
  
• Vermont - Weights and Measures Office
  State Weights and Measures Offices enforce laws and regulations about the labeling, weight, measure or count of packaged items including food and household products. These offices also regulate the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices in supermarket, gas stations, taxicabs, etc. Some city and county offices have weights and measures functions in addition to the state offices listed below that might be listed under either…
  
  
• Veteran's Employment and Training Service - DOL
  VETS provides Veterans with the resources and services to succeed in the 21st century work force by maximizing their employment opportunities, protecting their employment rights and meeting labor-market demands with qualified Veterans.
  
  
• Veterinary Medical Board
  The mission of the Veterinary Medical Board (VMB) is to protect consumers and animals through development and maintenance of professional standards, licensing of veterinarians and registered veterinary technicians, and diligent enforcement of the California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
  
  
• Vineyard Workers Services Center
  La Luz Center is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization (Tax ID #68-0228235) dedicated to improving the quality of life in Sonoma Valley by insuring everyone has the opportunity to become productive members of our community. Providing housing assistance and services to farm workers in Sonoma Valley. Bilingual (Spanish-English).
  
  
• Virgin Islands - Division of Banking and Insurance
  The mission of the Division of Banking and Insurance is to serve and protect the public interest by aggressively enforcing the insurance, securities and banking laws in the Virgin Islands, while at the same time, assisting the insurance and banking industries to better serve the public.
  
  
• Virgin Islands - Lieutenant Governor
  The website contains relevant information about several important government divisions and agencies, including Corporations & Trademarks, Office of the Tax Assessor, Division of Banking & Insurance, Recorder of Deeds, Passport and Medicare.
  
  
• Virgin Islands - Public Services Commission
  The mission of the Public Services Commission is to regulate all public utilities operating in the territory to ensure a fair and reasonable rate of return while providing the rate payers with the highest quality service in a safe, consistent and efficient manner.
  
  
• Virgin Islands - Weights and Measures Office
  State Weights and Measures Offices enforce laws and regulations about the labeling, weight, measure or count of packaged items including food and household products. These offices also regulate the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices in supermarket, gas stations, taxicabs, etc. Some city and county offices have weights and measures functions in addition to the state offices listed below that might be listed under either…
  
  
• Virginia - Attorney General
  The Attorney General enforces state and federal consumer protection laws, keeping Virginians safe from things like identity theft, consumer fraud and telemarketing scams, and enforces antitrust laws that protect businesses and consumers from behavior that defeats healthy competition. The Attorney General also provides consumer alerts and educational materials that are designed to increase consumer awareness of scams, and help our citizens, particularly our seniors, protect…
  
  
• Virginia - Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  Contact for pre-purchase inquiry and complaint information on local businesses. Takes complaints on companies and arbitrates problems and disputes. Monitors and reviews local advertising and tracks and reports on charitable organizations.
  
  
• Virginia - Bureau of Insurance, State Corporation Commission
  The Consumer Services Division is responsible for gathering and responding to consumer inquiries regarding insurance company or producer activities.
  
  
• Virginia - Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
  Virginia DMV site has been created to help you renew or register for a drivers license, find DMV forms, practice tests, drivers ed & traffic schools, auto insurance, or just about anything else related to Virginia DMV.
  
  
• Virginia - Division of Securities and Retail Franchising, State Corporation Commission
  The Virginia Division of Securities and Retail Franchising is responsible for the regulation of securities, broker-dealers, broker-dealer agents, investment advisers and their representatives. It is also responsible for the registration of franchises and trademarks in Virginia. The Division answers inquiries, provides investor education programs, handles complaints, performs audits, and conducts investigations regarding any code violation or misconduct relating to Securities and Retail Franchising.
  
  
• Virginia - Weights and Measures Office
  State Weights and Measures Offices enforce laws and regulations about the labeling, weight, measure or count of packaged items including food and household products. These offices also regulate the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices in supermarket, gas stations, taxicabs, etc. Some city and county offices have weights and measures functions in addition to the state offices listed below that might be listed under either…
  
  
• Virginia – Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch (DCCS)
  The Consumer Affairs Branch (CAB) is a clearinghouse of information for consumers, businesses, tenants and landlords. CAB provides voluntary mediation for consumers who are unable to resolve a complaint with a business regarding a transaction that occurred in Fairfax County, and tenants who have an issue with a landlord in Fairfax County. Information, community outreach, and referrals regarding Virginia consumer protection laws and Virginia tenant-landlord…
  
  
• Visa Services (Dept. of State)
  For information on U.S. visas for foreigners.