About Us

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The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer protection agency. The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and provides information to help consumers identify and avoid fraud and deception. View and download free information at consumer.ftc.gov, or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or TDD (202) 326-2502. To order free materials for yourself or a group, go to www.ftc.gov/bulkorder. If you have been the victim of fraud or deception, file a complaint with the FTC online at www.ftc.gov/complaint, or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. Although the FTC can't resolve individual disputes, the information you provide can indicate a pattern of violations requiring action by the Commission.

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The Department of Defense is America's oldest and largest government agency. With our military tracing its roots back to pre-Revolutionary times, the Department of Defense has grown and evolved with our nation. The mission of the Department of Defense is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country. The department's headquarters is at the Pentagon.

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) works to make sure that consumers have the information they need to make the best financial decisions for themselves and their families. If you’re looking for more information about the CFPB, visit consumerfinance.gov. Our mission is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans – whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing between credit cards, paying for college, or using other consumer financial products.

The Office of Servicemember Affairs

The Office of Servicemember Affairs (OSA) ensures that military personnel and their families have a voice at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

• We monitor military consumer complaints and the resolution of those complaints.

• We work with federal, state, and local partners to address the financial concerns of servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

• We provide servicemembers, military families, and veterans with the information and tools to make the best financial decisions for themselves and to avoid unfair financial business practices.

Visit consumerfinance.gov/servicemembers for more information on our work.

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Military Saves is a social marketing campaign to persuade, motivate, and encourage military families to save money every month, and to work with leaders and organizations to be aggressive in promoting automatic savings Military Saves is a part of America Saves, the larger nation-wide campaign for all Americans. Military Saves encourages all servicemembers, their families, and civilian employees to “Take the Military Saves Pledge.” Savers who take the pledge can opt to receive a monthly e-newsletter from Military Saves, as well as a quarterly e-newsletter from America Saves. Military Saves also works with defense credit unions, military banks and other non-profit organizations to promote savings and debt reduction.

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The Arizona Attorney General serves as the chief legal officer of the State. The Attorney General is mandated by our constitution and elected to a four-year term by the people of Arizona. The Attorney General's Office represents and provides legal advice to most State agencies; enforces consumer protection and civil rights laws; and prosecutes criminals charged with complex financial crimes and certain conspiracies involving illegal drugs. In addition, all appeals statewide from felony convictions are handled by the Office.

The mission of the Arizona Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section is to:

• Protect the public, including veterans, from consumer fraud, antitrust and anti-competitive conduct;
• Provide advocacy and public education on consumer protection issues with an emphasis on fraud and abuse;
• Enforce tobacco laws and orders and to help reduce underage sale of tobacco products and to provide legal representation in judicial and administrative cases and legal advice and assistance in legislative and rule-making matter to state agencies.

For information and resources to assist Arizona veterans, please visit https://www.azag.gov/veterans.  If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud in Arizona, you may file a consumer complaint here. For consumer inquiries, or to request a complaint form, call (602) 542-5763 (Phoenix), (520) 628-6504 (Tucson), or toll-free outside of metro Phoenix, (800) 352-8431.

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The California Attorney General’s Office enforces laws that protect California servicemembers, veterans, and military families against fraud, false advertising, and other unfair and deceptive business practices. 

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Among the critical missions of Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen is to advocate and represent the interests of the citizens of Connecticut as rigorously as possible. General Jepsen aims to ensure that the quality of life of the state's citizens, especially veterans, is preserved and enhanced. By strictly enforcing consumer protection laws, the Office of the Attorney General protects veterans from fraud, deceptive practices and scams that could otherwise cause harm.

The Consumer Protection Department within the Office of Attorney General focuses on consumer protection through counsel and representation of the Department of Consumer Protection, consumer education and complaint mediation, and investigations, written comments to state and federal agencies, and litigation under various state and federal laws, with a major reliance on the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA).

To learn more about the Office of Attorney General or to file a consumer complaint with the Connecticut Attorney General, visit http://www.ct.gov/AG

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Attorney General Beau Biden, Delaware’s chief law enforcement officer, has broad responsibility to combat crime, safeguard families, fight fraud, and protect consumers in the First State. In meeting this mission, Attorney General Biden is supported by an experienced and highly respected senior leadership team consisting of the Chief Deputy Attorney General, Chief of Staff, State Prosecutor, State Solicitor, and Directors of the Family and Fraud & Consumer Protection Divisions. Each of the more than 400 staff who work in the Office of the Attorney General are committed to the common goal of serving all Delawareans with integrity and dedication. Deputy Attorneys General, with critical support from criminal investigators, social workers, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff prosecute criminal cases, enforce environmental laws, provide counsel to state agencies, ensure the public's access to open government, protect the abused, and much more.

CONSUMER PROTECTION UNIT

The Consumer Protection Unit is responsible for enforcing Delaware consumer protection statutes and protecting the general public from consumer frauds and scams. In addition to pursuing enforcement action against those who violate our consumer protection laws, the CPU also participates in community outreach and consumer education events, engages in consumer advocacy, and actively contributes to coordinated state and federal consumer protection investigations and initiatives.

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The Idaho Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division enforces various consumer laws, including Idaho’s Consumer Protection Act, Competition Act, Telephone Solicitation Act, Pay-Per-Telephone Call Act and Charitable Solicitation Act. These laws protect consumers, businesses and the marketplace from unfair or deceptive acts and practices. The Attorney General seeks to fulfill this charge efficiently and economically through education, mediation and enforcement. The Consumer Protection Division’s library of consumer publications covers topics including automobiles, charities, credit & loans,

home improvement, landlord/tenant, retail purchases, travel, and more.

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The Illinois Attorney General's Military and Veterans Rights Bureau is dedicated to ensuring that veterans and active duty military servicemembers receive the benefits they have earned by serving our country. The bureau provides men and women with the information they need to understand their rights and programs to help obtain them.  For more information and assistance, contact the Military and Veterans Rights Hotline at 1-800-382-3000.

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The Indiana Attorney General’s Office offers multiple programs to protect veterans through our consumer protection division.  The Attorney General’s website also includes information on protecting military servicemembers

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The Kansas Attorney General supports our military men and women and their families through consumer protection efforts. The Kansas Consumer Protection Act provides extra protection for members of the armed forces and National Guard on active duty, or in active reserve units, and family members of deployed service personnel. 

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The Kentucky Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection enforces the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act which protects Kentucky from  "unfair, false, misleading or deceptive acts or practice in trade or commerce." The Office brings lawsuits in the public interest to obtain consumer redress and civil penalties in a range of matters including but not limited to automobile sales, telemarketing sales - including Do-Not- Call list violations, business opportunities, charitable solicitations, debt collection, truth in lending, privacy, recreation and retirement land sales, internet sales, pharmaceutical drugs and for-profit schools. The Office of Consumer Protection also serves as a clearinghouse for consumer complaints and helps resolve citizens' complaints involving consumer transactions. The Office also conducts educational programs to teach consumers, seniors and schoolchildren about their consumer rights, how to avoid being victimized by scam artists and how to be better consumers.

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The Attorney General's Office enforces certain federal and state laws protecting the rights of veterans and service members. If you are a veteran or are currently serving in the United States Military, including the National Guard or Reserves, there are laws designed to protect you against discrimination in employment, help you avoid credit or foreclosure problems, and maximize your healthcare, disability, and education benefits.  Our Veterans' Resource Guide, is one central location where you can find information about resources available to veterans, military service members, and their families. Much of the information it contains has already been made available to the public by the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services and the Secretary of the Commonwealth, among other state and federal agencies and organizations. Compilation of this guide would not have been possible without the work both of those offices have already done to make these resources accessible.

Helping ensure that Massachusetts veterans and their families have access to the full range of benefits and services offered to them, Attorney General Martha Coakley created an office-wide task force in 2011 focused on this effort. The task force coordinates resources and services for veterans across the AG’s Office on relevant issues they may face upon returning from deployment overseas, such as consumer, health care, and employment issues. The office developed and is using a special designation for veterans and active duty military members on its Civil Rights , Consumer, Insurance/Investment, and Health Care complaint forms.  Working together with the Department of Veterans Services (DVS), front-line employees in the AG’s Office received training on how to best handle complaints with this special designation and learn when it is proper to refer complaints to DVS.

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The Michigan Attorney General supports veterans through consumer protection and other initiatives, including enforcement actions where appropriate. The Attorney General’s website also includes links to helpful resources.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provides a variety of services and tools to address the problems and questions you may face as an investor. We cannot tell you what investments to make, but we can help you to invest wisely and avoid fraud.)

New Mexico Attorney General’s Office:  The Attorney General is an elected Executive Officer and is required to be a licensed attorney. The Attorney General also serves as head of the Department of Justice.

The Attorney General functions as the state's chief legal officer; legal counsel to state government; consumer advocate; and guardian of the public interest.

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As head of the New York State Department of Law, the Attorney General is both the “People's Lawyer” and the State's chief legal officer. As the “People's Lawyer,” the Attorney General serves as the guardian of the legal rights of the citizens of New York, its organizations and its natural resources. In his role as the State's chief legal counsel, the Attorney General not only advises the Executive branch of State government, but also defends actions and proceedings on behalf of the State.

The Attorney General serves all New Yorkers in numerous matters affecting their daily lives. The Attorney General's Office is charged with the statutory and common law powers to protect consumers and investors, charitable donors, the public health and environment, civil rights, and the rights of wage-earners and businesses across the State.

The Bureau of Consumer Frauds and Protection, part of the Economic Justice Division, prosecutes businesses and individuals engaged in fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or illegal trade practices.

In addition to litigating, the Bureau mediates thousands of complaints each year from individual consumers.

A large percentage of these complaints are resolved satisfactorily through the mediation process. As part of its mission, the Bureau provides information to consumers and seeks to ensure a fair and vigorous market place. The Bureau also drafts legislation and conducts studies and writes reports on emerging consumer problems and issues.

“Our nation owes a great debt to military service members, veterans, and their families. It's despicable that anyone would seek to take advantage of those who have sacrificed to ensure our safety and preserve our rights here at home,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. “I am proud to say that I will do everything in my power to protect the brave men and women who have fought for our country by aggressively pursuing scam artists that target them, and by helping them to understand their legal rights.”

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Attorney General Roy Cooper

 Roy Cooper serves as North Carolina's Attorney General to fight crime and protect consumers. He was first elected in 2000 and was reelected to a fourth term in 2012. Read more

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The North Dakota Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Consumer Protection Division enforces the state’s consumer fraud laws that protect consumers against fraud, false advertising, and other unfair and deceptive business practices. The Consumer Protection division also enforces the state’s Do-Not-Call laws and is the state’s clearinghouse for identity theft complaints.

The North Dakota Attorney General’s office also issues Concealed Weapons Licenses and provides information about concealed carry reciprocity.

The Attorney General’s office is prohibited by ND law from providing legal advice or legal services to members of the public.

Information on contacting the North Dakota Attorney General's office is available here.

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The Ohio Attorney General’s Office advocates for consumers and victims of crime, assists the criminal justice community, and provides legal representation for state offices and agencies. In those and other capacities, Attorney General Mike DeWine’s staff interacts each year with tens of thousands of Ohioans and nearly every facet of state government.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section helps protect Ohioans from unfair business practices and scams through dispute resolution, education, and legal action. It also produces the monthly Consumer Advocate newsletter and assists law enforcement and prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting consumer fraud of a criminal nature.

To assist service members, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office provides certain legal services at no cost to military personnel and their families. It also expedites cases and issues raised by active duty personnel and their family members and provides consumer workshops for service members and veterans.

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Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane protects all Pennsylvania residents - particularly the state’s nearly one million veterans and military members - from scams, fraud and deceptive business practices by enforcing the state’s consumer protection laws.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection investigates and mediates consumer complaints and takes legal action against companies that engage in unfair business practices where a lawsuit by the Attorney General is in the public interest and would benefit the Commonwealth.

In addition, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General reviews every piece of consumer-related legislation that is introduced in the Commonwealth, supporting any and all that would prosecute wrongdoers and bring to justice those who attempt to defraud consumers.

To learn more about the Bureau or to file a complaint, visit www.attorneygeneral.gov.

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The Attorney General is the top legal official in Rhode Island. As the state’s top prosecutor, the Attorney General fights to enhance the economic security of Rhode Island, protect the public safety of our communities and restore the public trust in state government by taking on corruption. As the central legal agency of the state, the Office of the Attorney General is responsible for prosecution of all felony criminal cases and misdemeanor appeals, as well as prosecution of misdemeanor cases brought by state law enforcement action in the various district courts. Additionally, as chief legal officer of the state, the Attorney General represents all agencies, departments and commissions in litigation and initiates legal action where necessary to protect the interests of Rhode Island citizens. The Office of the Attorney General is also charged with operating and maintaining the State Bureau of Criminal Identification, which is the central repository for all criminal records in the state. The Office is divided into three distinct divisions: Criminal, Civil and Administration; and four budget programs: Criminal, Civil, General, and the Bureau of Criminal Identification.

About the Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Unit

The Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Unit investigates and mediates consumer complaints concerning unfair and unlawful business practices and misleading advertising arising out of alleged violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. If groups of people are victimized by a deceptive trade practice, this office may file in the Superior Court a civil investigative demand, which is a formal investigation. In appropriate cases, a lawsuit to stop the illegal business practice may be initiated.

Apart from carrying out its statutory responsibilities, the Unit also provides information and referral services to the general public. Consumers are directed to the appropriate governmental or private agencies for help in answering specialized questions or resolving disputes that are not within the Unit's jurisdiction.

The Consumer Protection Unit is available to speak to community groups on how to prevent being a victim of identity theft and other scams.

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The Tennessee Attorney General is the chief legal officer for the State.  The role of the Attorney General and his staff is to help each part of state government—executive, legislative, and judicial—fulfill their respective functions. The Office contains 17 divisions charged with many different duties.

The Consumer Advocate and Protection Division protects consumers and business from unfair and deceptive trade practices. The Consumer Protection Division also enforces Tennessee’s Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) Statute and the state and federal antitrust laws. Actions may be brought on behalf of the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and in the name of the State of Tennessee. 

The office often pursues cases based on complaints received from consumers. The Attorney General encourages consumers to report any business practice they believe is unfair or deceptive to (DCA) in the Department of Commerce and Insurance. DCA serves as the central coordinating agency and clearinghouse for consumer complaints regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices. For more information on how the Tennessee Attorney General is working to protect consumers or for information on how to file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Affairs, visit our website at: www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral.

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The Utah Attorney General’s Commercial Enforcement Division enforces laws that protect consumers and businesses, including laws that prohibit deception, fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of facts in the sale or advertisement of goods and services. The office works closely with the Utah Division of Consumer Protection to investigate and prosecute violations of these laws.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division enforces Washington’s Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86) to help protect veterans and military, guard and reserve members from bad actors in the marketplace. The division:

• Investigates and files legal actions to stop unfair and deceptive practices
• Recovers refunds;Imposes penalties on offending businesses and recovers attorneys’ fees and costs
• Facilitates the informal resolution of consumer problems by notifying businesses of written complaints and informally mediating them
• Provides information and education to businesses and to the public on consumer rights and issues
• Participates in legislative activity affecting the division each year
• Sends out alerts and news releases when consumers or businesses are targets of fraudulent or predatory activities
• Administers Washington’s Lemon Law for new motor vehicle warranty enforcement. The services include arbitration to resolve consumer and manufacturer warranty disputes, consumer and industry education and enforcement of manufacturer and dealer obligations.

Visit our Veterans & Military Consumer Protection page for specific tips.

Learn about the latest scams on our Scam Alert Page.

Follow the latest scams on Twitter: #AGOScamAlert

Read our All Consuming blog.

Visit us on Facebook.

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Better Business Bureau (BBB) Military Line® is a program of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, a 501(c)(3) educational foundation providing consumer education and advocacy for military consumers and their families, both in their communities and online.  Visit www.bbb.org/military for more information.  As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Last year more than 100 million consumers turned to BBB Business Reviews and BBB Charity Reports to help them find trustworthy businesses, brands and charities across North America. More than 100 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring 4 million businesses and charities. Visit www.bbb.org for more information.

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Blue Star Families is a non-partisan, non-profit organization, created by military families for military families. We are committed to supporting one another through the unique challenges of military service and asking the larger civilian population to help as well, connecting military families regardless of rank, branch of service or physical location, and empowering military family members to create the best personal and family life possible for themselves.

Blue Star Families is a bridge between military families, the shapers of policy affecting military life, and the nation. Our goal is to connect America’s military families with one another and their communities, support them through programs that aim to make military life more sustainable, and empower them by giving them an opportunity to make their voices heard.

BSF has more than 35,000 members, and will soon have more than 60 chapters with representatives in every state in the U.S. and overseas. More than half a million military family members have participated in our programs

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Consumer Action has been a champion of underrepresented consumers nationwide since 1971. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Consumer Action focuses on consumer education that empowers low- and moderate-income and limited-English-speaking consumers to financially prosper. It also advocates for consumers in the media and before lawmakers to advance consumer rights and promote industry-wide change.

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The mission of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation is to provide underserved Americans with the knowledge, skills and tools necessary for financial success throughout life. The FINRA Foundation envisions a society characterized by universal financial literacy.

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The State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs promotes a strong and healthy business environment by upholding fairness and public confidence in the marketplace, and by increasing knowledge and opportunity for our businesses and citizens in the State of Hawaii.

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The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs is one of the largest local consumer protection agencies in the nation. The department serves consumers, businesses, and communities through education, advocacy, and complaint resolution to promote a fair and vibrant marketplace. We educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities, investigate alleged violations of the law, and mediate less serious disputes between consumers and businesses.

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The National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) is a non-profit member organization of attorneys and consumer advocates committed to representing consumers’ interests. The NACA Military Consumer Justice Project was established so that servicemembers have a defense team at home ensuring that their consumer interests are represented. NACA attorneys have been working with the military arms for years, providing training for the Air Force, Army, and Navy Justice Schools and at local military training symposiums. NACA, through its expertise on consumer protection law, is here to help If you have been a victim of a consumer scam. If you need advice, contact the NACA Military Consumer Justice Project by calling (202) 452-1989 to be connected with a NACA lawyer in your area who can assist you. NACA attorneys across the  country are dedicated and willing to provide legal assistance to military personnel who have fallen prey to consumer scams.

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National Futures Association (NFA), a congressionally authorized self-regulatory organization, is the premier independent provider of innovative and efficient regulatory programs that safeguard the integrity of the futures markets. National Futures Association provides innovative regulatory programs and services that ensure futures industry integrity, protect market participants and help its Members meet their regulatory responsibilities.

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Military families serve our country with pride, honor, and quiet dedication. The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit organization committed to strengthening and protecting the families of the men and women currently serving, retired, wounded, or fallen. We provide families of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA with information, work to get them the benefits they deserve, and offer programs that improve their lives. Our 40-plus years of service and accomplishments have made us a trusted resource for military families and the Nation’s leaders. To learn more, visit www.MilitaryFamily.org.

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Pine Tree Legal Assistance is Maine’s oldest and largest statewide legal aid provider.  The Legal Services Corporation chose Pine Tree to create a new national website for military and veteran families with legal needs.  That website, www.statesidelegal.org, launched at the White House in late 2010 and has already recorded more than 1 million page views.  The site includes numerous consumer protection resources and a search engine to find local help. 

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The National Association for Black Veterans, Inc (NABVETS), with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a 501c(3), nationally certified Veterans Service Organization by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans with filing claims for VA benefits and to represent veterans before the Board of Veterans Appeals. 

NABVETS provides strategic advocacy with Congress, the Federal Administration, State Administrations and other agencies and organizations on behalf of all veterans; and particularly African American veterans, women veterans, veterans disabled, homeless, incarcerated or of limited means. NABVETS, with over 50 chapters across the nations and five State Commands works in ‘Unity with the Community’ to end homelessness, empower low-income and minority veterans and advocate for disadvantaged youth in all matters related to their successful passage into adulthood.

NABVETS works closely with the Veterans Enterprise Training & Services Group (VETS Group), NAACP Veterans Affairs Committee and the Consumer Action Agency to provide outreach, training and support to veterans and their families transitioning back into the community.

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U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Work-Life - For over two centuries the U.S. Coast Guard has safeguarded our Nation's maritime interests in the heartland, in the ports, at sea, and around the globe. We protect the maritime economy and the environment, we defend our maritime borders, and we save those in peril. The Office of Work-Life Personal Financial Management Program is available to all Coast Guard personnel and their families to help them obtain the skills and resources needed to remain resilient and ultimately, reach a state of financial security. Please visit our site for more information.

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Every month nearly one child dies and another one is injured from window coverings, cords, and some of these victims are in military families. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has designated window coverings with exposed cords to be one of the top five hidden hazards in homes with young children. Strangulation deaths and near strangulations can occur anywhere a window covering has a cord. Children can wrap the cords around their necks or become entangled in the loops of tangled cords. These tragic incidents happen quickly and silently- and they are preventable.

At the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Department of Defense, we care deeply about the safety of children in military homes. We are sure you do as well. The risk to military families is significant because a large percentage of families have children less than six years of age (37.4 per cent)--the same age that most strangulation deaths occur. In addition, because military parents are deployed months at a time, supervision becomes more challenging.

To minimize the risk associated with corded window coverings, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Department of Defense strongly encourage you to replace old window coverings with cordless options or window coverings with inaccessible cords, as well as take time to educate your residents about the risk of strangulation with exposed cords. To help further educate your residents, attached are: a window covering safety alert, a child proofmg checklist, and a listing of seven hidden hazards in the home. We suggest that you conspicuously display, the safety alert for at least 120 days and distribute the child proofmg and hidden hazards checklists to all of your residents.

In the past, many consumers have obtained free retrofit kits from the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) for blinds made before November 2000. However, you should be aware that these retrofit kits do not address the dangling pull cord hazard associated with many common window blinds. Thank you for joining with us in the prevention of child strangulation by window covering cords.

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business.

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The Civil Division represents the United States in any civil or criminal matter within its scope of responsibility – protecting the United States Treasury, ensuring that the federal government speaks with one voice in its view of the law, preserving the intent of Congress, and advancing the credibility of the government before the courts.  In its affirmative litigation, the Division brings suits on behalf of the United States, primarily to recoup money lost through fraud, loan defaults, and the abuse of federal funds.  Annually, hundreds of millions – and often billions – of dollars are returned to the treasury, Medicare, and other programs as a result of the Civil Division’s litigation efforts.  Within the Civil Division, the Consumer Protection Branch works to protect the health, safety, and economic security of American consumers through criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions.

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The Food and Drug Administration assures the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products and medical devices and assures the safety and security of the nation’s food supply, cosmetics and products that emit radiation. FDA which is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, advances the public health by helping to speed innovations to market that make medicines and food more effective, safer and more affordable and assisting the public in getting the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health. The FDA works to protect the public from health fraud scams. For information in English and Spanish on how to spot health fraud scams visit: www.fda.gov/healthfraud. Consumers can report a problem with an FDA regulated product online at www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem

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The United States Postal Inspection Service, founded by Benjamin Franklin, is one of our country’s oldest federal law enforcement agencies. Postal Inspectors have a long, proud, and successful history of fighting criminals who attack our nation’s postal system and misuse it to defraud, endanger, or otherwise threaten the American public. The Postal Inspection Service enforces more than 200 federal laws related to crime that adversely affects or fraudulently uses the U.S. Mail and postal system. Learn more at postalinspectors.uspis.gov or visit “Postal Inspectors: The Silent Service,” a special exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum, also available online.

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The SEC provides a variety of services and tools to address the problems and questions you may face as an investor. We cannot tell you what investments to make, but we can help you to invest wisely and avoid fraud.

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The mission of the U.S. Social Security Administration is to deliver Social Security services that meet the changing needs of the American public. In 2013, we estimate that about 163 million people will work and pay Social Security taxes, and an average of almost 58 million people will receive benefits each month. We deliver services through a nationwide network of over 1,400 offices that include regional offices, field offices, card centers, teleservice centers, processing centers, hearing offices, the Appeals Council, and our State and territorial partners, the Disability Determination Services. We also have a presence in U.S. embassies around the globe.

Our website, socialsecurity.gov, is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security's programs.  At our website, you can apply for Retirement, Disability, Medicare and so much more.  Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security.  The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.  For more information go to www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. 

You can stay informed and up to date on Social Security by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest at our Social Media Hub.  For a smartphone user, we now offer Social Security Mobile, which allows for a smoother and more enjoyable online experience for getting the information you need quickly and efficiently, just type www.socialsecurity.gov on your smartphone browser.

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It is well-known that one of the best ways to get ahead is by obtaining a good job or by starting or expanding your own small business.  Yet, many Veterans, especially after serving in the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, require assistance and support to get there. The VETS Group, a non-profit 501(c) 3, community-based organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., provides a holistic program for Veterans and their families to Achieve Economic Empowerment through Education, Entrepreneurship, and Employment.  Assistance with affordable housing, family strengthening, and health rehabilitation is also offered.

The VETS Group offers training in Federal Procurement, Small Business Development; education in Financial Literacy with the Consumer Action Agency in Credit Repair, Money Management, Banking Basics, Identity Theft and is now in the process of implementing an initiative to identify more procurement opportunities for Veterans in the private-sector.  Partnerships are being formed with large corporate enterprises to offer Veterans employment opportunities, business education, mentoring, technical assistance, growth capital, and access to international markets. 

In order to continue our broad initiatives, programs and advocacy for veterans, the VETS Group has Joined Forces with Metro Data Networks to offer training in Microsoft Windows, Cisco Networks, and Cyber Security and joined with Warriors 4 Wireless to offer Tower Climbing training for 4G Networks at its State of the Art, Enterprise Training & Services Center, located in the heart of the Nation’s Capital.