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Guide to consumer services
By NANCY PARADIS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
updated September 5, 2003
Appliances
-- Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, Suite 402, 1111 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036; 202 872-5955; www.aham.org click on "Just For Consumers" for buying information, use-and-care help, and repair/service assistance.
-- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association RACCA, 1920 East Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604; (813) 870-2607; www.racca-florida.org (information and referrals).
Automobiles
-- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Lemon Law Hot Line, 800 321-5366 (850) 488-2221 outside of Florida (stay on line and ask for Lemon Law Hot Line); www.800helpfla.com, Information on Florida's Lemon Law, including a list of vehicles "bought back" under Florida's Lemon Law, is available at the Florida Attorney General's http://legal.firn.edu/
-- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, regulates auto repair shops, 800 435-7352 (FLA-HELP); www.800helpfla.com
-- Department of Transportation Auto Safety Hotline, 888 327-4236 or (800) 424-9393 www.nhtsa.dot.gov
-- Center for Auto Safety, 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 330, Washington, DC 20009-5708 202 328-7700; www.autosafety.org
-- CARFAX, to order a report on a car's history using the VIN number; www.carfax.com
Banking
-- Comptroller of the Currency, OCC Customer Assistance Group, 1301 McKinney St., Suite 3450, Houston, TX 77010, 800 613-6743 for questions or complaints regarding national banks and credit card and mortgage company subsidiaries of national banks - a national bank has the word National or the letters N.A. in its official name; www.occ.treas.gov click on customer assistance e-mail customerassistance@occ.treas.gov
-- Office of Thrift Supervision, Attn: Consumer Programs, 1700 G Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20552; 800 842-6929; for problems with a federal savings and loan or a federal savings bank. e-mail: consumer.complaint@ots.treas.gov www.ots.treas.gov
-- Federal Reserve Board, Consumer and Community Affairs Division, 20th and C Streets NW, MS-801, Washington, D.C. 20551; (202) 452-3693;for state-chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System.
-- Federak Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC, Attn: DCA, 550 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20429; 800 934-3342; e-mail consumer@fdic.gov www.fdic.gov for state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System.
-- National Credit Union Administration NCUA, 1775 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314-3428; 703 518-6330; e-mail pacamail@ncua.gov www.ncua.gov
-- Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council FFIEC, to find information about a financial institution that has merged with or been acquired by another institution or has been closed; www.ffiec.gov
-- Florida Department of Financial Services, 101 E. Gaines St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0350 regulates state chartered credit unions, banks, savings and loans, securities firms and dealers, investment advisers, mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers, consumer finance companies including motor vehicle finance and retail installment contractors, cemeteries and funeral homes selling preneed contracts; consumer hotline: (800) 848-3792; TDD: (800) 640-0886; www.dbf.state.fl.us
-- Florida Comptroller's West Central Florida Regional Office, 1313, Tampa St., Suite 615, Tampa, FL 33602, 800 258-8403, (813) 272-2565; www.wcfro.org
Broadcasting
-- Mass Media Bureau, Enforcement Division, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Room 7-C723, Washington, DC 20024; 202 418-7450cq (complaints about television or radio), www.fcc.gov click on Enforcement.
-- Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20554; 888 225-5322 (CALL-FCC) or (888) 835-5322 (TELL-FCC) (TTY); www.fcc.gov (see insert under Cellular Phones)
Business practices
-- Hillsborough County Consumer Protection, 8900 N Armenia Ave., Suite 226, Tampa, FL 33604813-903-3430; www.hillsboroughcounty.org click on "consumer protection" under A-Z Index.
-- Pasco County Consumer Affairs, 7530 Little Road, Suite 140, New Port Richey, FL 34654; 727 847-8110; www.pascofla.com
-- Pinellas County Consumer Protection, 15251 Roosevelt Blvd., Sutie 209, Clearwater, FL 33760 727 464-6200; (727) 464-7988 (to check on charities or bingo); www.pinellascounty.org click on Departments, then Consumer Protection.
-- Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20580; 877 382-4357 (FTC-HELP); www.ftc.gov
-- Better Business Bureaus:
serving West Florida including Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota/Manatee: 800 525-1447 (727) 535-5522 (Pinellas); www.bbbwestflorida.org e-mail info@bbbwestflorida.org serving Central Florida (including Citrus) (407) 621-3300, (800) 275-6614; www.orlando.bbb.org
-- Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 800 435-7352 (HELP-FLA); www.800helpfla.com
-- National Advertising Review Board, 70 West 36th St., 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018; 212 705-0114; www.bbb.org click on "Business Guidance', then "Advertising'
-- State Attorney's Offices:
Citrus, (352) 341-6670
Hernando, (352) 754-4255;
Pasco/Pinellas, (727) 464-6221
Hillsborough, (813) 272-5400
Tampa Attorney General's office, (813) 801-0600 (economic crime).
Cable television
-- Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20554; 888 225-5322 (CALL-FCC), (888) 835-5322 (TELL-FCC) (TTY); www.fcc.gov
Carpet
-- Carpet and Rug Institute, Box 2048, Dalton, GA 30722; 800 882-8846; www.carpet-rug.com (for carpet and rug questions).
-- Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, 2715 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661; 800 835-4624; www.iicrc.org (for referrals to its certified carpet and upholstery cleaners, restoration specialists and carpet inspectors).
Cellular Telephones
-- The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) handles nearly all FCC domestic wireless telecommunications programs and policies. Wireless communications services include Amateur, Cellular, Paging, Broadband PCS, and Public Safety. FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554, 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or by TDD at 1-888-835-5322 (TELL-FCC)
Charities
-- Solicitation of Contributions Section, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 800 435-7352 (HELP-FLA) (for a free Gift Givers Guide); www.800helpfla.com
-- BBB Wise Giving Alliance, formerly National Charities Information Bureau, 4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800Arlington, VA 22203 800 501-6242, (for a free Wise Giving Guide); www.give.org
-- Pinellas County Charitable Solicitation Office, (727) 464-7988.
Child Support
-- Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement, P.O. Box 8030, Tallahassee, FL 32314-8030 800 622-5437; www.state.fl.us/dor/
-- Association for Children for Enforcement of Support free, self-help organization, 2260 Upton Ave., Toledo, OH 43606, 800 738-2237; www.childsupport-aces.org e-mail ACES@Childsupport-ACES.org
-- Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, u.s. dept. fo heatlh and human services administration for cildren and families - acf press office 202-401-9215 - gen'l info number is 202-401-9373; www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/
Condominiums
-- Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Complaints, 1940 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0782, 850 487-1395; www.state.fl.us/dbpr e-mail FLS.CustomerServiceUnit@dbpr.state.fl.us
-- Bureau of Condominiums Hotline, (800) 226-6028 or (800) 226-9101.
Contractors
-- Construction Industry Licensing Board, 1940 North Monroe StreetTallahassee, FL 32399- 0783, 850 487-1395; www.state.fl.us/dbpr (to check on licenses and file complaints).
-- Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Complaints, 1940 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0782; 850 487-1395; www.state.fl.us/dbpr
-- Builders Associations:
Citrus, (352) 746-9028;
Greater Tampa Bay, (covers Hillsborough & Pinellas),(813) 873-1000
Hernando, (352) 596-1114;
Pasco, (727) 375-8922;
-- Citrus County Building Division, Department of Development Services, (352) 527-5310.
-- Hernando County Contractor Licensing Division, Department of Development, (352) 754-4109.
-- Hillsborough County Contractors Licensing, (813) 635-7309, or (813) 635-7308.
-- Pasco County Building Development, Contractor Licensing, (727) 847-2411, ext. 8009.
-- Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board, (727) 536-4720.
Cosmetics
-- Food and Drug Administration, Office of Cosmetics and Colors, 1110 Vermont Ave. HFS-106, Washington, D.C; 888 463-6332 (INFOFDA); www.fda.gov
Credit
-- Consumer Credit Counseling Service offices:
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Florida Gulfcoast, Hernando, 352754-9675, (800) 720-9537; www.cccsfl.org Hillsborough, (813) 289-8923;
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mid-Florida, Inverness, (352) 867-1865, (800) 245-1865;
Consumer Credit Couseling Service of Central Florida and the Florida Suncoast, Pasco and Pinellas, 800 547-0099. -- Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20580; (877) 382-4357 (FTC-HELP); www.ftc.gov (for information and complaints on different types of credit problems such as credit repair scams, advance-fee loan scams, home equity scams, file segregation (illegally shielding one's true credit identity) and identity theft.
-- Credit bureaus: Experian, 888 397- 3742; www.experian.com Equifax, (800) 685-1111; www.equifax.com TransUnion, (800) 888-4213; www.transunion.com
Drugs
-- Food and Drug Administration, Office of Consumer Affairs, Parklawn Bldg., 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 888 463-6332 (INFO-FDA); www.fda.gov
Dry cleaning
-- International Fabricare Institute, 12251 Tech Road., Silver Spring, MD 20904; 301 622-1900 (will analyze a damaged garment at the request of a member dry cleaner); www.ifi.org
-- Neighborhood Cleaners Association International, 252 W. 29 St., New York, NY 10001, 212 967-3002 (will analyze a damaged garment for individuals for a fee); www.nca-i.com
Elder affairs
-- Administration on Aging, 330 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201; 800 677-1116 (Eldercare Locator - to find services for an older person in his or her locality); www.eldercare.gov (202) 619-0724 (AoA's National Aging Information Center -- for technical information and public inquiries); www.aoa.dhhs.gov (provides information for older Americans; for links to numerous sites and agencies, click on "information for older persons and families)
-- National Institute on Aging, Building 31, Room 5C27, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2292, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301 496-1752; NIA Information Center, P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057; (800) 222-2225 (to order NIA publications); www.nih.gov/nia
-- Senior helpline, Pinellas (727) 217-8111, Pasco (800)-861-8111, all other (800) 963-5337 (96-ELDER) (access to information regarding elder services and activities within Florida).
-- Florida abuse hotline, (800) 962-2873.
Employment
-- Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Tampa, (813) 626-1177.
-- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour helpline, 4905 W. Laurel, Suite 300, Tampa, FL 33607, 813 288-1242; (This office handles complaints about overtime, minimum wage and family medical leave. It does not deal with complaints about paid vacations, coffee breaks, unemployment or worker's compensation); www.dol.gov
-- Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Florida labor laws, workforce and employment opportunity, (800) 438-4128, (850) 245-7105; Reemployment/Emergency Assistance, REACT, (800) 633-3572.
-- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 501 E Polk St., Room 1020, Tampa, FL 33602; (813) 228-2310 (complaints), (800) 669-4000.
Environment
-- Indoor workplace smoking ban complaints, 850 487-1395; www.state.fl.us/dbpr For businesses besides restaurants and bars, contact the state Department of Health, 1-800-337-3742.
-- Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 3804 Coconut Palm Drive, Tampa, FL 33619; 813 744-6100; or, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399; (850) 245-2118; www.dep.state.fl.us
-- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 3900 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, FL 33811, 863 648-3203; or, 620 South Meridian StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-1600; (850) 488-4676; www.floridaconservation.org emergency reports of boating or fishing accidents, poaching or hunting out of season and alligators, 1-888-404-3922.
-- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement Division, (813) 272-2516.
Federal Information
-- Federal Information Center, 800 688-9889; www.consumer.gov (for links to a broad range of online federal information resources, including tips on avoiding scams).
Food
-- Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Consumer Education Staff, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835 888 463-6332 (INFO-FDA); www.fda.gov
-- Safe Food hotline, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 888 723-3366 (SAFEFOOD); www.cfsan.fda.gov
-- USDA's Meat and Poultry hot line, 800 535-4555; www.fsis.usda.gov
-- Restaurant Complaints: Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants in charge of licensing and inspections, (850) 487-1395, press 3, then 3 again. www.myflorida.com/dbpr
-- Grocery Store Complaints: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, 800 435-7352 (HELP-FLA); www.800helpfla.com
-- Complaints when illness results from eating foods - Environmental Health Divisions, County Health Departments:
Citrus, (352) 527-0068 ext. 240, Virgina Crandall
Hernando, (850) 245-4444
Hillsborough, (813) 307-8000, ext. 5941;
Pasco, (727) 841-4221
Pinellas, (727) 507-4336.
-- Food safety, www.foodsafety.gov
-- International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements IBIDS www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/IBIDS Provides information on dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals and botanicals.
-- Agricultural Research Service's Nutrient Data Laboratory, www.nal.usda.gov/fnic Provides information on what nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, lipids, amino acids, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, etc., are in the foods we eat.
Fuel/gasoline
-- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 800 435-7352 (HELP-FLA); www.800helpfla.com (for complaints about quantity and content of gasoline).
Funerals
-- Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Complaints, 1940 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0782; 850 487-1395; www.state.fl.us/dbpr (DBPR licenses funeral directors and embalmers)
-- Funeral and Cemetery Hotline, Department of Financial Services, 800 342-2762 takes complaints about pre-need sales and trust funds); www.dbf.state.fl.us West Central Region: 1313 North Tampa Street, Suite 615, Tampa, FL 33602; (813) 899 6181.
-- Funeral Service Consumer Assistance Program, (800) 662-7666 (for assistance regarding funeral services already received).
-- National Funeral Directors Association, 800 228-6332 (for general information); www.nfda.org
Health care
-- Complaints about quality of care or bills from health care facilities hospitals, nursing homes, ACLFs, home health care companies and HMOs: Agency for Health Care Administration, Consumer Assistance Unit, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32308-5403, (888) 419-3456; www.fdhc.state.fl.us (AHCA licenses and regulates health care facilities.)
-- Medical Quality Assurance/Consumer Services Unit of AHCA, 888 419-3456, to check licenses, complaints about the quality of health care, find out whether any disciplinary action has been taken against a health care practitioner (doctor, dentist, nurse, chiropractor, etc.) (DOH licenses and regulates health care professionals, but AHCA takes complaints and conducts investigations on behalf of DOH); www.doh.state.fl.us click on practitioner profiling for information on physicians.
-- Florida Abuse Hotline, (800) 962-2873 (for information or concerns about suspected abuse or neglect).
-- www.floridahealthstat.com source for information on health care facilities, hospital data, provider information, children's health and links to health-care related pages.
-- Florida Local Advocacy Council (volunteer organization for protecting the human rights of clients of the Department of Children and Families, Department of Health and Agency for Health Care Administration):
Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee: (800) 638-2144; (813) 558-5790;
Citrus and Hernando: (352) 330-2177, ext. 6279;
statewide: (800) 342-0825;
-- Medicare Beneficiary Helpline: (800) 844-0795.
-- U.S. Inspector General's fraud, waste and abuse hot line, (800) 424-9121 (for complaints about U.S. Department of Agriculture programs).
-- County Medical Societies:
Citrus, (352) 344-9822;
Hillsborough, (813) 253-0471;
Pasco, (727) 869-7341;
Pinellas, (727) 541-1159.
Health studios/gyms; dance studios
-- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 800 435-7352 (FLA-HELP); www.800helpfla.com
Hearing Aids
-- International Hearing Society, 16880 Middlebelt Rd. Ste. 4, Livonia, Michigan 48154; 800 521-5247; (734) 522-7200; www.ihsinfo.org/
-- Agency for Health Care Administration, Consumer Services Unit, P.O. Box 1400, Tallahassee, 32317-4000; 888 419-3456 (complaints); www.fdhc.state.fl.us
Insurance
-- Department of Financial Service, Office of Insurance Regualation consumer assistance helpline: 800 342-2762; www.fldfs.com/
Internet fraud
-- Internet Fraud Complaint Center: www.ifccfbi.gov
Landlord-tenant disputes
See also legal assistance.
-- Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, Suite 520, Bromley Building, 3725 W Grace St., Tampa, FL 33067-4822; (850) 487-1395.
-- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 800 435-7352 (to get a free copy of Florida's landlord/tenant law); www.800helpfla.com
-- Florida Public Interest Research Group, 704 W Madison St., Tallahassee, FL 32304, send $10 for an easy-to-understand Renters' Rights Handbook; (850) 224-3321; the handbook is also available on the www.pirg.org/floridapirg
-- Bay Area Apartment Association, 4509 George Road, Tampa, FL 33634; (813) 882-0222.
Lawyers
-- American Bar Association, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611; 800 285-2221; www.abanet.org
-- Florida Bar Association, 651 E. Jefferson StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-2300, 850 561-5600(850) 561-5834 (for consumer pamphlets); (800) 342-8011, (850) 561-5844 (for lawyer referral); (850) 561-5839, press 2 (for complaints against attorneys);www.flabar.org
Legal assistance
-- Mediation services:
Hillsborough, (813) 272-5642;
Pasco, (727) 847-8174;
Pinellas, (727) 582-7250.
-- Small Claims Courts:
Citrus, (352) 341-6430
Clearwater, (727) 464-3267;
Hernando, (352) 540-6445
Hillsborough, (813) 276-8100;
St. Petersburg, (727) 582-7771.
-- Free legal services for qualified, low-income residents:
Citrus, (352) 726-8512 Hernando, (352) 796-7238;
Hillsborough, (813) 232-1343;
Dade City, (352) 567-9044;
New Port Richey, (727) 847-5495;
North Pinellas, (727) 443-0657;
South Pinellas, (727) 821-0726.
-- Lawyer Referral Services:
Hillsborough, (813) 221-7780;
Clearwater, (727) 461-4880;
St. Petersburg, (727) 821-5450;
West Pasco, (727) 848-7433.
for all other areas: Florida Bar Association, (800) 342-8011.
Legal assistance - civil rights
-- American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, 4500 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 340 Miami, FL 33137, 305 576-2336; (800) 775-2258 (ACLU) (to order publications); www.aclufl.org
-- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 501 E Polk St., Timberlake Federal Building Annex, Rm. 1020, Tampa, FL 33602, 813 228-2310, (800) 669-4000; www.eeoc.gov
-- Equality Florida formerly the Human Rights Task Force of Florida, (813) 870-3735; http://eqfl.org
-- Florida Commission on Human Relations, 2009 Apalachee ParkwaySuite 100Tallahassee, Florida 32301; 850 488-7082, (800) 342-8170 (for forms to file a discrimination complaint) http://fchr.state.fl.us
-- Human Relations/Community Affairs Departments:
North Pinellas, (727) 562-4060;
Pinellas, (727) 893-7345;
Tampa, (813) 274-5835;
Hillsborough, (813) 272-6554.
-- Department of Corrections, Inmate Grievances, (850) 488-0094.
-- Florida Justice Institute (private organization dealing with prisoner mistreatment), 200 S Biscayne Blvd., Suite 2870, Miami, FL 33131, (305) 358-2081.
Legislation
-- For information on the status (but not interpretations) of current or past bills:
-- Florida Legislative hotline, 800 342-1827; www.leg.state.fl.us
-- U.S. Legislative information, 202 225-1772; www.clerk.house.gov
Magazine subscriptions
-- Publishers Clearing House Consumer Magazine Action Line for subcription complaints, including those not purchased through Publishers Clearing House, (800) 645-9242; www.pch.com
Mail
-- U.S. Postal Service, Consumer Advocate, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260-2200, 202 268-2284, (800) 275-8777 (ASK-USPS); www.usps.com
-- U.S. Postal Inspector, (813) 281-5200.
-- Direct Marketing Association, 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, 202 955-5030 (for complaints regarding mail, phone or Internet transactions); www.the-dma.org click on consumers.
-- Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512 to have your name removed from the following types of national (not local mail: catalogs, major non-profit solicitations, financial services, book and music clubs, magazine and sweepstakes offers, major retailers); www.the-dma.org click on consumers.
Mobile homes
-- Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida Inc., P.O. Box 5350, Largo, FL 33779-5350; 727 530-7539; www.fmo.org
-- Florida Manufactured Housing Association, 2958 Wellington Circle N, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32308, 850 222-4011; www.fmha.org
-- Mobile Home Construction, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 5701 E Hillsborough Ave., Suite 228, Tampa, FL 33610, 813 740-4298, ext 226 (regulates mobile homes and recreational vehicle construction; helps consumers with structural problems during first year warranty period); www.hsmv.state.fl.us
-- Bureau of Mobile Home Regulation, Divison of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums and Mobile Homes, (850) 488-2221.
Moving companies
-- Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services; 800 435-7352 (HELP-FLA) (for complaints against intrastate movers and to get a copy of its Household Moving Within Florida guide before hiring a local/intrastate mover); www.800helpfla.com
-- For interstate moves between states, the moving company must, by law, provide you with a free booklet, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. It is available on the Department of Transportation's Office of Motor Carriers'; www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/
moving.htm.
Pest control
-- Florida Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (850) 922-4177; http://doacs.state.fl.us/aes-ent/ (pest control, contact field offices listed below first).
-- State entomologists:
Citrus, Hernando, Pinellas and Pasco: (727) 507-4152
Hillsborough: (727) 507-4151
-- National Pesticides Information Center, 800 858-7378 (for concerns about pesticide toxicity); http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn
Product safety
-- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission hotline, 800 638-2772; www.cpsc.gov
Professional regulation
-- Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 1940 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0782; 850 487-1395; www.state.fl.us/dbpr This department licenses, regulates and inspects 198 professions and businesses as authorized by the Florida Legislature, including hotels and restaurants, various construction and building trades, numerous service industry positions, land sales, condominiums and mobile homes, alcohol and tobacco, pari-mutuel wagering, at-need funeral homes and funeral directors, and excluding health-care and medical-related fields and retail establishments.
Real estate
-- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate, Complaint Section, 400 W Robinson St., Suite N308, Orlando, FL 32801, 407 245-0800; www.state.fl.us/dbpr
Recycling
-- Citrus, (352) 527-7670;
-- Hernando, (352) 754-4112;
-- Hillsborough, (813) 272-5680;
-- Pasco, (727) 847-8041;
-- Pinellas, (727) 464-7500.
State information
--www.myflorida.com links to state departments, agencies and other information
State sales tax
-- Department of Revenue, 6302 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33619, 813 744-6582; or 19337 U.S. 19 N, Suite 200, Clearwater, FL 34624-3149, (727) 538-7400; or (800) 352-3671, www.state.fl.us/dor/
Sweepstakes contests
-- Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services, 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500, 800 435-7352; www.800helpfla.com
Telephone companies
-- Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850, 800 342-3552; www.floridapsc.com (intrastate telephones).
-- Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20554; 888 225-5322 (CALL-FCC), (888) 835-5322 (TELL-FCC) (interstate and wireless telephone service); www.fcc.gov
Telephone solicitors
-- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 800 435-7352 (HELP-FLA); www.800helpfla.com (for complaints and inclusion on the "No Sales Solicitation" calls list).
-- National Do Not Call list, to restrict most telemarketers from calling your residence or wireless phone, 888 382-1222; www.donotcall.gov
-- National Fraud Information Center, c/o National Consumers League1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006; 800 876-7060; www.fraud.org
-- Telemarketing Preference Serice, Direct Marketing Association, 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, 202 955-5030 (to have your name put on a list to reduce the number of national, commercial telemarketing calls); www.the-dma.org click on consumers.
Transportation/Travel
-- Air travel complaints: Aviation Consumer Protection Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room 4107, C-75, 400 Seventh St. SW, Washington, DC 20590, 202 366-2220; www.dot.gov/airconsumer
-- Airline safety: Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, 800 322-7873; www.faa.gov
-- Buses: Federal Transit Administration, 400 Seventh St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20590, 202 366-4043; www.fta.dot.gov
-- Railroads: Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20590, 202 493-6024 (safety issues only); www.fra.dot.gov
-- Cruise complaints: Federal Maritime Commission, 800 N Capitol St. NW, Room 970, Washington, DC 20573-0001; 202 523-5807; www.fmc.gov
-- American Society of Travel Agents ASTA, 1101 King St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 739-2782; www.astanet.com
-- U.S. Tour Operators Association, 275 Madison Ave., Suite 2014, New York, NY 100163, 212 599-6599; www.ustoa.com
Unclaimed property
-- Unclaimed Property, Florida Department of Financial Services, 888 258-2253; (850) 488-7777 (outside of Florida); www.fltreasurehunt.org (provides links to other states and agencies).
Utilities
-- Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850, 800 342-3552; www.floridapsc.com (investor-owned water and waste water, electric, natural gas).
White House Greetings Office
-- White House Greetings Office, The President, Attn. Greetings Office, Room 39, White House, Washington, D.C. 20500.
For birthdays (80 years and above), weddings or anniversaries (50 years and above), include the individual's or couple's name and title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.), address, and month, day and year of birth or marriage.
For the birth of a child, include the child's full name, date of birth, parents' complete name and titles and parents' address.
For acknowledgements of graduations, scouting awards and bar/bat mitzvahs, include individual's name, address, name of award/occasion and date of presentation/occasion.
For condolences/sympathy cards, include individual's name, date and circumstances of death, name(s) and address(es) of family member(s) to whom the card will be sent.
Requests should be sent six weeks prior to the event, except obviously, in the case of a birth or death.
In those cases, a card will be sent within six weeks of notification.
You may also request that a photo of the president be included.
Mail or fax the request to: The President, Attn. Greetings Office, White House, Washington, DC 20500-0039; fax: (202) 395-1232.
The status of a requested greeting cannot be checked except in the case of a 100th birthday.
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