Consumer Resources

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Local Consumer Agencies (Government and Private)

This reference guide to important consumer agencies throughout the Greater Bay Area will help ensure you have a consistently positive customer experience. Get up-to-date contact information for a wide range of government and private organizations in 12 different counties.

Problem Resolution and Mediation Hub

This informative section will teach you what to do when you have an issue with a local company and need help with problem resolution.

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Local Consumer Agencies

  • Airlines
    Federal Aviation Administration <br />(800) 835-5322
  • Appliance
    Bureau of Electronic & Appliance Repair<br />(916) 777-0133
  • Automobile
    Dealer Warranty or Registration<br />(800) 777-0133
  • Automobile Repairs
    Bureau of Automotive Repair<br />(916) 255-4200
  • Banks – State, Trust or Foreign
    Department of Banking (800) 622-0620
  • Better Business Bureau
    East Bay (510) 844-2000<br />San Francisco<br />(866) 411-2221<br />San Mateo (866) 411-2221<br />Santa Clara (408) 278-7400
  • Cemetery/Funeral Services
    Cemetery Board<br />(916) 574-7870
  • Charities
    Registry of Charitable Trusts<br />(916) 445-2021
  • Chiropractors
    Board of Chiropractic Examiners<br />(916) 263-5355
  • Consumer Information & Complaints – General
    Department of Consumer Affairs<br />(800) 952-5210
  • Contractors
    Contractors State Licensing Board<br />(800) 321-2752
  • Credit & Debt Counseling
    National Foundation for Credit Counseling<br />(800) 388-2227
  • Credit Bureaus
    Equifax (800) 685-1111<br />Experian (888) 397-3742<br />or (888) EXPERIAN
  • Dangerous Products
    Consumer Product Safety Commission<br />(800) 638-2772
  • Dentists
    Board of Dental Examiners<br />(916) 263-2300
  • Dept. of Transportation
    (202) 366-4000
  • Do-Not-Call Registry and Complaints
    Federal Trade Commission (FTC) <br /> (888) 382-1222
  • Employment
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission <br /> (800) 669-4000
  • Federal Agencies & Consumer Information
    (800) 688-9889
  • Finance – Investments
    Department of Corporations <br /> (415) 927-8559
  • Health Care – Facilities
    Department of Health Services Licensing &amp; Certification <br /> (916) 558-1784
  • Health Care – Professionals
    Medical Board of California<br />(800) 633-2322
  • Insurance
    Department of Insurance<br />(800) 927-4357
  • Internet Links
    Over 2000 links to various government and private consumer resources
  • Legal
    State Bar<br />(800) 843-9053
  • Megan’s Law – Sex Offender Map
    CA Dept. of Justice (DOJ)<br />(916) 227-4974
  • Movers
    California Public Utilities Commission<br />(800) 366-4782
  • Optometrists
    Board of Optometry<br />(800) 712-3000
  • Pest Control
    Structural Pest Control Board<br />(916) 561-8700
  • Pharmacists
    Board of Pharmacy<br/>(916)574-7900
  • Products – Safety
    U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission<br/>(800) 638-2772
  • Professional Licensing Boards
    CA Department of Consumer Affairs<br />(800) 952-5210
  • Real Estate
    Department of Real Estate<br />(916) 557-0864
  • Security & Alarm Companies
    Bureau of Security and Investigative Services<br />(916) 322-4000
  • Senior & Elder Care Issues
    American Association of Retired Persons<br />(877) 434-7598
  • SPAM & Phishing – Email
    Federal Trade Commission (FTC)<br />Submit a Complaint
  • Stock Brokerage Firms & Brokers
    National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.<br />(800) 289-9999
  • Telemarketing, Mail Order, & Internet Fraud
    National Consumer League<br />Fraud Information Center<br />(202) 835-3323
  • TransUnion
    (800) 916-8800
  • Travel Agents
    Department of Justice, Seller of Travel Program<br />(213) 897-8065
  • United States Postal Service
    (800) 275-8777
  • Utilities
    CA Public Utilities Commission<br />(800) 649-7570
  • Vehicle Safety & Recalls
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<br />(888) 327-4236

Thinking and acting through problem resolution

When a conflict arises, tensions are high and to some degree the higher-order mental processes are compromised. Reactions can range from anger and aggressive conduct to unwarranted agreeableness. Both are reactions to fear and helplessness over a loss of traction required to reach an agreement.

The key to hitting the sweet spot of traction in a dispute is to achieve a state of polite assertiveness or a posture of quiet confidence. The path to polite assertiveness is to carefully explore underlying needs and beliefs through the power of curious questions. Questions can be an amazing workaround to derail unproductive mental chatter and usher in quiet confidence via self-knowledge.

1. What beliefs about this work did you hold before starting this project?

2. In your view, what event started this conflict? This could be the point in time when your faith or confidence in the other party was compromised. …

Read full article on "Thinking and Acting Through Problem Resolution"

Diamond Certified Resource's Problem Resolution Support

Mediation: What We Do and Don’t (And Why)

Resolution Consumer
Joy Lanzaro
Director of Mediation & Compliance

The Diamond Certified Resource provides an alternative dispute resolution process per the terms of the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee.

Mediation is a self-directed dispute resolution process. In matters related to contract performance, it can reduce the cost and time required to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

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