WHAT DOES ACP DO?
Mediation
ACP mediates complaints against business, public and private agencies,
institutions, banks, insurance companies, landlords, tenants, and professional
service providers.
Information
ACP is a clearinghouse where the public can secure information about products,
services, false advertising, defective merchandise, and fraud.
Advice
- ACP can advise you of what to do before signing a contract, and
what you should include in a contract.
- ACP can give advice pertaining to insurance policies, leases, credit
cards, bank charges, credit reports, and other issues.
References
- ACP discloses, upon request, if there are unresolved complaints
against businesses.
Credit Counseling
- ACP counsels you in family financial problems and negotiates payment
plans according to your ability to pay.
- ACP can help establish a budget according to your income, and we
can attempt to negotiate lower interest rates on your debt.
Research - Monitoring
- ACP monitors business practices and does survey work on consumer
problems.
Advocacy
- ACP advocates for the family needs of the unemployed, underemployed,
welfare clients, the elderly, poor, handicapped, and youth.
CONSUMER TIPS
Basic Tips
Before you sign a contract:
- Secure three written estimates
- Get all promises/warranties in writing.
- List of services, work must be written.
- Include brand, model, and grade of products to be provided.
- Include date of start and completion of work.
- Down payment should be no more than 10-20% of cost.
- Do not pay in full before work is complete.
- Ask for list of satisfied customers to check the work.
- Call ACP for references.
Before you agree to purchase a used car
- Take the vehicle to your mechanic for advice.
- Does window sticker say "Warranty" or "As Is?"
- Ask what is warranted. Who pays for what?
- Secure any warranty in writing.
- Immediately after purchase have the car inspected. It must pass
inspection.
- If you want an extended warranty, car manufacturers offer the
best warranties.
|
|
Sweepstakes/Free prizes
- Beware of notices that you won a prize.
- Offers of prizes often are asking you to join a club or make
a purchase in order to qualify.
- Do not give out your social security, credit card or bank account
numbers in order to claim a prize. You should not have to pay anything
in order to claim a prize.
Repairing Credit History
- Beware of ads promising to correct/ repair bad credit. Credit
report data, if correct, remains on your credit profile for 7 years.
- Beware of promises for a credit card if you have bad credit.
- Consumers with no credit can get a credit card from some banks
by depositing funds in an interest bearing savings account.
- A secured Visa card will be issued, good up to the amount in
the savings account.
- Build a strong credit history by paying on the account monthly,
for one or two years.
Canceling Contracts
- Orders/contracts made in your home for $25 or more may be cancelled.
- You have three business days to cancel your order or contract
if you change your mind.
- It is best to use certified mail to cancel so that there is a
record.
- Contracts made in a place of business can be cancelled only if
there is misrepresentation of facts or mutual mistake of facts.
How to file a complaint
- Secure ACP Complaint form from area public libraries.
- Send copies of bills, contracts, warranties, cancelled checks
(front and back), and work orders.
- Sign authorization on back of complaint form.
- Tell ACP what settlement is desired.
- ACP will negotiate your complaint.
Obtaining a copy of your credit report
To obtain a copy of your credit report, call one of the three companies
listed below.
- Trans Union
1-800-888-4213
www.transunion.com
- CBI-Experian
1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com
- Equifax
1-800-685-1111
www.equifax.com
If you have been denied credit, employment, or insurance within the
past 90 days you are entitled to a free credit profile. Otherwise, the
price is approximately $9.50.
|
