Trade
Associations
Companies that
manufacture similar products or offer similar services often belong
to industry associations. These associations help resolve problems
between their member companies and consumers. Most also provide
consumer information and education materials through publications
and on their web sites.
If you have
a problem with a company and cannot resolve it by working directly
with that firm, ask if the company is a member of an association.
Then, check this section to see if the association is listed. If
the association is not included here, your local library has reference
materials to help you find the appropriate contact.
Accrediting
Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
750 First St., NE, Suite 980
Washington, DC 20002
202-336-6780
Fax: 202-842-2593
E-mail: info@acics.org
Web site: www.acics.org
Association of accredited career schools training in business and
business-related subjects.
Susie Irvine, President & CEO
American Financial Services Association
(AFSA) Education Foundation
919 Eighteenth St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-466-8611
E-mail: susie@afsamail.org
Web site: www.afsaef.org
The AFSA Education Foundation develops personal money management
educational materials to help the public understand the credit process,
seek help if credit problems occur, and realize the benefits of
responsible money management.
Alliance of Automobile
Manufacturers
1401 H St., NW
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
202-326-5500
Fax: 202-326-5567
Web site: www.autoalliance.org
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Inc. represents the common
interests of its members on a broad range of public policy issues.
Through the Alliance, members are able to convey this commitment
as well as the industry's accomplishments and its positions on issues
to the public, the government, the media and other interested parties.
American Apparel & Footware
Association
1601 North Kent St., Suite 1200
Arlington, VA 22209
703-524-1864
Toll free: 1-800-520-2262
Fax: 703-522-6741
E-mail: jmcneal@apparelandfootware.org
Web site: www.americanapparel.org
Membership: Manufacturers of clothing.
Kersten Norlin, Vice President, Corporate Communications
American Arbitration Association
335 Madison Ave., 10th FL
New York, NY 10017
Toll free: 1-800-778-7879
Web site: www.adr.org
A nonprofit public service organization with 37 regional offices
across the country. Provides consumer information on request. Check
local telephone directory for listing. If there is no office in
your area, write or call the office listed above.
American Bankers Association
1120 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-663-5000
Fax: 202-663-7578
Web site: www.aba.com
The American Bankers Association is the largest banking trade association
in the country. Its membership includes community, regional, and
money center banks as well as savings associations, trust companies,
and savings banks. It will provide consumer education materials
on request.
Jack Hanna, Director, Section on Dispute Resolution
American Bar Association
740 15th St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-662-1680
Fax: 202-662-1683
E-mail: dispute@abanet.org
Web site: www.abanet.org/dispute
Publishes a directory of state and local alternative dispute resolution
programs. Provides consumer information on request.
Gary Rippentrop, CEO
American Collectors Association
PO Box 39106
Minneapolis, MN 55439-0106
952-926-6547
Fax: 952-926-1624
Web site: www.collector.com
Membership: Collection services handling overdue accounts for retail
professional and commercial credit grantors.
American Council of Life
Insurers
101 Constitution Ave., Suite 700
Washington, DC 200012133
202-624-2000
Toll free: 1-800-942-4242 (consumer helpline)
Fax: 202-624-2319
Web site: www.acli.com
Trade association of over 500 insurance companies that provide life
insurance, pensions and annuities, long-term care, and disability
income insurance.
American Fence Associaiton
2336 Wisteria Dr., Suite 230
Snelville, GA 30078
678-344-6314
Toll free: 1-800-822-4342
Fax: 678-344-6299
E-mail: afa@mindspring.com
Web site: www.americanfenceassociation.com
The AFA is a national trade association for the fence industry and
has over 2000 members nationwide. Members are fence contractors,
retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and manufacturers.
American Health Care Association
1201 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20005-4014
202-842-4444
Toll free: 1-800-321-0343 (purchase publications only)
Fax: 202-842-3860
Web site: www.ahca.org
Membership: State associations of long-term health care facilities.
Also, associate business membership program for health related businesses.
Lisa Snyder, Director, Professional Ethics Division
American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants
Harborside Financial Center
201 Plaza III
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3881
201-938-3175
Fax: 201-938-3367
E-mail: lsnyder@aicpa.org
Web site: www.aicpa.org
Membership: Professional organization of accountants certified by
the states and territories.
American Moving and Storage
Association (AMSA)
1611 Duke St. 1611 Duke St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-7410
Web site: www.moving.org
The professional moving industry's national trade association offers
a wealth of information on its consumer web site, including a new
Mover Referral Service. It also sponsors an arbitration service
(dispute settlement program) helping consumers resolve loss and
damage claims on interstate moves.
Robert T. Van Hook, CAE, Executive Director
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association
330 John Carlyle St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-7116
Fax: 703-836-0838
Web site: www.opoffice.org
The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association is a national trade
association committed to providing high quality, unprecendented
business services and products to O&P professionals. Since our founding
in 1917, we have worked diligently to establish ourselves as the
voice for O&P businesses. AOPA membership consists of over 1800
O&P companies, suppliers, and affiliates who design, fabricate,
fit and supervise the use of orthoses (orthopedic braces) and prostheses
(artificial limbs).
Linda High, Director, Consumer Affairs
American Society of Travel Agents, Inc.
1101 King St., Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-739-2782
Fax: 703-684-8319
Web site: www.astanet.com
Membership: Travel agents.
America's Community Bankers
(ACB)
900 19th St., NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
202-857-3103
Fax: 202-296-8716
E-mail: info@acbankers.org
Web site: www.acbankers.org
ACB is the national trade association for 2,000 savings and community
financial institutions and related business firms. ACB makes information
developed by its members on consumer financial services, housing,
finance, and community development available free of charge.
Better Hearing Institute
(BHI)
515 King St.
Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-3391
Toll free: 1-800-EAR-WELL
Voice/TDD: 1-888-HEAR-HELP
Fax: 703-684-6048
E-mail: MAIL@betterhearing.org
Web site: www.betterhearing.org
A nonprofit educational organization, BHI informs persons with impaired
hearing and the general public about hearing loss and available
help through medicine, surgery, amplification, and other rehabilitation.
Membership: professionals and others who help persons with impaired
hearing.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association
Consumer Affairs
1310 G St., NW
12th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
202-626-4780
Fax: 202-626-4833
Web site: www.bluecross.com
Membership: Local Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in the United
States, Canada and Jamaica.
Caroline Ajootian, Director, Consumer Protection Bureau
Boat Owners Association of The United States,
BOAT/ U.S.
880 South Pickett St.
Alexandria, VA 22304-0730
703-823-9550
E-mail: consumerprotection@boatus.com
Web site: www.boatus.com
The Consumer Protection Bureau serves as a mediator in disputes
between boat owners and the marine industry, BOAT/U.S. also works
closely with the U.S. Coast Guard to monitor safety defect problems.
Career College Association
(CCA)
10 G St., NE
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20002
202-336-6700
E-mail: briann@career.org
Web site: www.career.org
Membership: Career-specific post secondary education institutions.
Stephen J. Phillips, Ph. D., Director, Issues Communications
The Carpet and Rug Institute
310 Holiday Ave.
PO Box 2048
Dalton, GA 30720
706-278-3176
Toll free: 1-800-882-8846
Fax: 706-278-8835
E-mail: communications@carpet-rug.com
Web site: www.carpet-rug.com
Membership: Manufacturers of carpets, rugs, bath mats; suppliers
of raw materials and services to the industry.
Robert Fells, Assistant Secretary
Cemetery Consumer Service Council
PO Box 2028
Reston, VA 20195-0028
703-391-8407
Fax: 703-391-8416
Industry-sponsored dispute resolution program. Other consumer information
about cemetery practices and rules available on request.
Children's Advertising
Review Unit
Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
845 Third Ave.
New York, NY 10022
212-705-0124
Fax: 212-308-4743
Web site: www.caru.org
Handles consumer complaints about truth and accuracy of advertising
directed to children under 12 years of age.
Consumer Electronics Association
(CEA)
2500 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201-3834
703-907-7600
Fax: 703-907-7601
Web site: www.ce.org
CEA, a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), represents
more than 600 U.S. companies involved in the development, manufacturing
and distribution of audio, video, mobile electronics, communications,
information technology, multimedia and accessory products, as well
as related services, that are sold through consumer channels. Combined,
these companies account for more than $60 billion in annual sales.
Eva Cry, Information Manager
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
5710 Mineral Point Rd.
Madison, WI 53701
608-232-8256
Fax: 608-232-8240
E-mail: ecry@cuna,com
Web site: www.cuna.org
Serves more than 90% of credit unions through credit union leagues
in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Credit unions are
cooperative non-profit financial institutions owned and controlled
by members; they belong to credit union leagues, which belong to
CUNA.
Marsha Goldberger, Department of Ethics and Consumer Affairs
Direct Marketing Association
Consumer Affairs
1111 19th St., NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036
202-955-5030
Fax: 202-955-0085
E-mail: consumer@the-dma.org
Web site: www.the-dma.org
Membership: Companies who market goods and services directly to
consumers using direct mail, catalogs, telemarketing, magazine and
newspaper ads, and broadcast on-line advertising. DMA operates the
Consumer Line, Mail Preference Service and Telephone Preference
Service.
E-mail Preference Service (e-MPS)
,
Web site: www.dmaconsumers.org
The e-Mail Preference Service (e-MPS) is a free consumer service sponsored
by The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) designed to cut down on
the amount of unsolicited commercial e-mail consumers receive in their
e-mail inboxes. Consumers can register online at www.dmaconsumers.org.
Mail
Preference Service
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
202-861-2409
Web site: www.dmaconsumers.org
Handles written requests for name removal from most national advertising
mailing lists.
Telephone
Preference Service
PO Box 1559
Carmel, NY 10512
Web site: www.dmaconsumers.org
Handles written requests for name and telephone number removal from
most national telemarketing lists.
Direct Selling Association
(DSA)
1275 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
202-347-8866
Fax: Fax: 202-347-0055
E-mail: info@dsa.org
Web site: www.dsa.org
Membership: Companies that manufacture and distribute consumer products
person-to-person and through home-party plans using independent
salespeople. All members comply with the DSA Code of Ethics which
protects consumers of direct selling products as well as the sellers
of the products and opportunities.
Cindy Donahue, Meeting Coordinator
Distance Education and Training Council
1601 18th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-234-5100
E-mail: detc@detc.org
Web site: www.detc.org
Membership: Home study (correspondence) schools.
Financial Planning Association
Offices in Atlanta, Denver, and Washington
3801 E. Florida Ave., Suite 708
Denver, CO 802102544
Toll free: 1-800-282-7526
Fax: 404-845-3660
E-mail: fpa@fpanet.org
Web site: www.fpanet.org
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) is the membership organization
for the financial planning community. Its members are dedicated
to supporting the financial planning process in order to help people
achieve their goals and dreams. FPA believes that everyone needs
objective advice to make smart financial decisions and that when
seeking the advice of a financial planner, the planner should be
a CFP licensee.
Food Marketing Institute
(FMI)
655 15th St. N.W., Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
202-452-8444
Web site: www.fmi.org
FMI conducts programs in research, education, industry relations
and public affairs on behalf of its members - grocery retailers
and wholesalers.
Funeral Consumers Alliance
PO Box 10
Hinesburg, VT 05461
802-482-3437
800-765-0107
Fax: Fax:802-482-5246
E-mail: info@funerals.org
Web site: www.funerals.org
Funeral Consumers Alliance is a nonprofit educational organization
protecting a consumer's right to choose a dignified, meaningful,
affordable funeral. In addition to informing the public about their
available options and rights, FCA will assist in mediating complaints.
There are more than 100 local affiliates around the country, many
of which work for better legislation, do funeral price surveys,
and counsel members and the general public.
Carole Rogin, President
Hearing Industries Association
515 King St., Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-5744
Fax: 703-684-6048
E-mail: hiallears@aol.com
Web site: www.hearing.org
Membership: Companies engaged in the manufacture and/or sale of
hearing aids, their components, parts, and related products and
services.
Terry R. Head, President
Household Goods Forwarders Association
of America, Inc.
2320 Mill Rd., Suite 102
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-684-3780
Fax: Fax: 703-684-3784
E-mail: HHGFAA@AOL.com
Web site: www.hhgfaa.org
The Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, Inc. represents
movers and forwarders who handle commercial, government and military
shipments of household goods. Founded in 1962, now with members
in over 150 countries worldwide, HHGFAA is dedicated to fostering
an industry-wide commitment to the highest standards of international
household goods moving services.
Jeanne Salvatore, Vice President, Consumer Affairs
Insurance Information Institute
Communications
110 William St.
New York, NY 10038
212-346-5555
Toll free: 1-800-331-9146
E-mail: jeannes@iii.org
Web site: www.iii.org
The National Insurance Consumer Helpline is a resource for consumers
with automobile, homeowners and life insurance questions. The Helpline
is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time.
Spanish-speaking operators also available.
Greg Patzer, Executive Vice President
Monument Builders of North America
3158 South River Rd., Ste 224
Des Plaines, IL 60018
847-803-8800
Fax: 847-803-8823
Web site: www.monumentbuilders.org
Membership: Cemetery monument retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers;
bronze manufacturers and suppliers. Consumer brochures available
on request.
Shirlene Datcher, Media Relations Coordinator
Mortgage Bankers Association of America
Consumer Affairs
1919 Penn. Ave., N.W
Washington, DC 20006
202-557-2700
Web site: www.mbaa.org
Membership: Mortgage banking firms, commercial banks, life insurance
companies, title companies, and savings and loan associations.
Andrea C. Levine, Director
National Advertising Division (NAD)
A Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
845 Third Ave., 17th Floor
New York, NY 10022
212-754-1320
Fax: 212-832-1296
Handles complaints about the truth and accuracy of national advertising.
National Association of
Funeral Directors
PO Box 486
Elm Grove, WI 53122-9486
Toll free: 1-800-662-7666
Third party dispute resolution program for complaints regarding
funeral homes.
National Association of
Home Builders
Member Service Center
1201 15th St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-266-8200
Toll free: 1-800-368-5242 (outside DC metro area)
E-mail: info@nahb.com
Web site: www.nahb.com
Membership: Single and multi family home builders, commercial builders
and others associated with the building industry.
David Wetmore, Director
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
(NAIC)
Federal and International Relations
444 North Capitol St., NW #701
Washington, DC 20001
202-624-7790
Fax: 202-624-8579
Web site: www.naic.org
NAIC is the organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states,
the District of Columbia and the four U.S. territories. One of its
primary functions is consumer protection. It produces a number of
guides which are distributed to insurance departments and directly
to consumers upon request.
Diane Callis, President
National Association of Personnel Services
(NAPS)
3133 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22305
703-684-0180
Fax: 703-684-0071
Web site: www.napsweb.org
Membership: Private employment agencies.
Ted Besesparis, Vice President, Communications
National Association of Professional Insurance
Agents
400 North Washington St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-9340
Fax: 703-836-4933
E-mail: tedbe@pianet.org
Web site: www.PIANET.com
Provides consumers practical advice on personal insurance buying
through its national outreach program.
National Association of
Security Dealers
Office of Dispute Resolution
125 Broad St.
36th Floor
New York, NY 10004
212-858-4400
Fax: 212-858-4429
E-mail: ciletters@nasd.com
Web site: www.nasdadr.com
Third-party dispute resolution forum, including both arbitration
and mediation solutions, for the resolution of monetary and business
disputes between investors and securities firms.
Brian Folkerts, Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications
National Food Processors Association
1350 I. St. N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
202-639-5900
Fax: 202-639-5932
E-mail: nfpa@nfpa-food.org
Web site: www.nfpa-food.org
Membership: Commercial packers of such food products as fruit, vegetables,
meat, poultry, seafood, and canned, frozen, dehydrated, pickled
and other preserved food items.
Larry Dyekman, Director of Communications and Education
National Futures Association (NFA)
200 West Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60606-3447
312-781-1370
Toll free: 1-800-621-3570 (outside IL)
Fax: 312-781-1467
Web site: www.nfa.futures.org
Contact NFA regarding disputes with futures commission merchants,
commodity trading advisors, commodity pool operators, introducing
brokers, and associated individuals.
Jeff Zeltzer, Executive Director
National Home Equity Mortgage Association
Executive Director
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20004
202-347-1210
Fax: Fax: 202-347-1171
E-mail: jzeltzer-de@nhema.org
Web site: www.nhema.org
Founded in 1974, NHEMA is committed to keeping consumers informed
and able to take advantage of the benefits afforded by home equity
mortgages. Today, NHEMA represents 350 member companies in all 50
states, employing tens of thousands of people and providing needed
credit to millions of Americans. NHEMA has a free consumer website
designed to help borrowers borrow smart and avoid problems: www.borrowsmart.com
Sherrie Rosenblatt, Director, Department of Public Relations
National Turkey Federation
1225 New York Ave., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
202-898-0100
Fax: 202-898-0203
E-mail: info@turkeyfed.org
Web site: www.eatturkey.com
Membership: Turkey growers, hatcheries, breeders, processors, marketers,
and allied industry firms and poultry distributors.
Michael A Kaiser, NACPI President
North American Consumer Protection Investigators
c/o Governers Office of Consumer Affairs
#2 M. L. King Jr. Dr., Suite 356
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-656-3006
Fax: 404-651-9018
NACPI provides training and support for consumer protection investigators
in government agencies at all levels. NACPI does not investigate
individual consumer complaints, but helps investigators share information
of mutual concern.
North American Securities
Administrators Association, Inc.
10 G St., NE
Suite 710
Washington, DC 20002
202-737-0900
Fax: 202-783-3571
E-mail: info@nasaa.org
Web site: www.nasaa.org
NASAA is an international organization devoted to investor protection.
Its membership consists of the 66 state, provincial and territorial
securities administrators in the 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. In the United States, NASAA is the
voice of the 50 state securities agencies responsible for the grass-roots
investor protection, investor education and efficient capital formation.
Craig Halverson, Assistant Executive Director
Photo Marketing Association Internatonal
3000 Picture Place
Jackson, MI 49201
517-788-8100
Toll free: 1-800-762-9287
Fax: 517-788-8371
E-mail: chalverson@pmai.org
Web site: www.pmai.org
Membership: Retailers of photo equipment, film and supplies; firms
developing and printing film.
Nancy Bock, Director of Consumer Affairs
The Soap and Detergent Association
1500 K St., NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
202-347-2900
Fax: 202-347-4110
Web site: www.cleaning101.com
The Soap and Detergent Association is the non-profit trade association
representing over 100 North American manufacturers of household,
industrial and institutional cleaning products; their ingredients;
and finished packaging. SDA members produce more than 90% of the
cleaning products marketed in the U.S. Free/low cost educational
materials are available to consumers and educators on handwashing,
asthma education, fabric care, hard surface cleaning and the safe,
effective and responsible use of household cleaning products.
Tire Association of North
America
11921 Freedom Dr., Suite 550
Reston, VA 20190
703-736-8082
Toll free: 1-800-876-8372
Web site: www.tana.net
Membership: Independent tire dealers and retreaders.
Marisa Gordon, Asst. Communications Director
Toy Industry Association Inc.
1115 Broadway, Suite 400
New York, NY 10010
212-675-1141
Fax: 212-633-1429
Web site: www.toy-tia.org
Membership: American toy manufacturers.
Robert Whitley, President
United States Tour Operators Association
(USTOA)
275 Madison Ave., Suite 2014
New York, NY 10016
212-599-6599
Fax: 212-599-6744
E-mail: USTOA@aol.com
Membership: Wholesale tour operators, common carriers, suppliers,
and providers of travel services.
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