CFA is first and foremost an advocacy organization, working to advance pro-consumer policy on a variety of issues before Congress, the White House, federal and state regulatory agencies, and the courts. Its staff works with public officials to promote beneficial policies, to oppose harmful policies, and to ensure a balanced debate on important issues in which consumers have
a stake.

CFA is also an educational organization, disseminating information on consumer issues to the public and the media, as well as to policy makers and other public interest advocates. Conferences, reports, books, brochures, news releases, a newsletter, and a web-site all contribute to CFA's education program.

Finally, CFA is a membership organization, providing support to national, state, and local organizations committed to the goals of consumer advocacy and education. Most member organizations are consumer advocacy and education groups -- national, state, or local -- or consumer cooperatives -- credit unions, rural electrics, housing co-ops, and other member-owned service organizations.

On the FCIC web site, you can view hundreds of publications, find out about the latest product recalls and scams, privacy resources, or read about emerging consumer issues and topics. In addition, access the online edition of the Consumer Action Handbook, designed to help citizens find the best and most direct source for assistance with their consumer problems and questions.

Finally, our National Call Center serves as a single point of contact for individuals with questions about Federal Agencies, programs and services. Call 1-800-FED-INFO, that’s (1-800-333-4636) between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT -- our staff can answer your questions about all aspects of the Federal government or direct callers to an appropriate contact.

The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 as a U.S. government agency independent of the Executive Branch and directly responsible to Congress. The FCC regulates broadcast and cable television, satellite, pagers, wireless telephones, as well as radio, telegraph and wireline telephones in all of the 50 states and U.S. territories.

On our Web site, www.fcc.gov/cgb, you can view over one hundred consumer fact sheets and alerts on subjects ranging from VoIP to charges on your phone bill to DTV to closed captioning. You can also sign up for our Consumer Information Registry and receive e-mail alerts immediately after new consumer information is available on topics you choose. Our on-line complaint forms make it easy to file telephone related or indecency complaints.

Our FCC Kidszone, www.fcc.gov/cgb/kidszone, is a fun place to learn for kids of all ages. In addition to answering telecommunications questions in a clear and simple format and defining terms that you might hear and not understand, the Web site contains lots of interactive games and puzzles, surveys, telecom factoids and much more. Learning is The Name of the Game at the FCC.

Established in 1933 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation promotes confidence in the banking system by insuring deposits in banks and savings associations for up to $100,000. The FDIC examines and supervises state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System (also known as state non-member banks) for compliance with fair lending and other consumer protection laws and regulations.

The FDIC has statutory responsibility to promote and enforce compliance by FDIC-supervised financial institutions with fair lending and other consumer protection laws and regulations. In addition, as part of its responsibility as insurer of bank and thrift institution deposits, the FDIC promotes public understanding of and confidence in the federal deposit insurance system.
The FDIC is committed to maintaining a high standard of service for the public. This is accomplished through the following activities:

• Investigating and resolving complaints received from the general public concerning FDIC-supervised institutions.
• Educating consumers and financial institutions about consumer protection laws and regulations and deposit insurance through outreach activities such as seminars.
• Identifying and analyzing trends or problems in financial institutions that may affect consumer rights and protections.

The FTC publishes free brochures on a variety of consumer related issues. For a complete list of publications go to www.ftc.gov and click on Consumer Protection, call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357); TDD (202) 326-2502, or write for Best Sellers, Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.

Consumer who have been the victim of fraud or deception may file a complaint online with the FTC at www.ftc.gov, or call 1-877-FTC-HELP. Although the Commission cannot resolve individual disputes, the information you provide may indicate a pattern of possible law violations requiring action by the Commission.

Today, with a quarter century of results behind it, NACAA focuses on emerging consumer issues in North America and around the globe. NACAA members exchange creative new approaches to consumer education. Through dialogue and advocacy, they help formulate and modify consumer laws, policies and regulations. NACAA helps its members meet the challenges posed by new technologies and develop effective methods for reaching a changing population.

To assist the consumer, NACAA’s website provides consumer education tips and information about filing a complaint with state consumer protection and other government officials.

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America 's oldest consumer organization. Its mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. NCL offers educational materials on a wide variety of subjects. Among the programs that NCL operates is LifeSmarts, www.lifesmarts.org, a consumer knowledge contest for teenagers, and the National Fraud Information Center/Internet Fraud Watch, www.fraud.org, which provides advice to consumers about telemarketing and Internet fraud and relays information from consumers about suspected scams to law enforcement agencies.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent establishment of the U.S. Government. Created in 1775 by the Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General, the organization that would later become the Post Office Department and today's Postal Service, is the second oldest department of the United States of America . Handling more than 700 million pieces of mail a day, the Postal Service provides mail service in the United States to virtually everyone, everywhere, every day, with regular service six days a week and Express Mail service on Sundays and holidays. USPS also serves 7 million retail customers a day through a retail network of more than 37,000 Post Offices, and millions more each day on usps.com.