Better Business Bureau (BBB) - The BBB is a non-profit organization that works to facilitate communications between a company and a consumer to help both sides come to a satisfactory resolution to a complaint. The BBB does not take sides in a dispute. To visit the BBB site, go to: http://www.bbb.org. To file an online complaint with the BBB, go to: http://complaints.bbb.org/Welcome.asp.

Consumer Federation of America (CFA) - A non-profit association of 300 groups founded to advance consumer interests through advocacy and education. The CFA monitors developments that affect consumer credit, credit counseling and bankruptcy. To visit the CFA site, go to: http://www.consumerfed.org.

Consumer Protection Agency - The branch of the FTC that handles consumer credit issues. Broken into state agencies that enforce consumer protection laws and provide consumer protection information. Depending on the state, they regulate credit bureaus, accept complaints about credit bureaus, and provide free information about consumer rights when dealing with collection bureaus: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm.

Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA)- A law that prohibits false claims by credit counseling agencies and makes it illegal for them to charge a consumer until they have performed their services. It also requires the agencies to tell the consumer about consumer legal rights and to provide the consumer with a written contract spelling out exactly what services will be performed and the total cost. Contracts must also explain that the consumer has three days to cancel at no charge. To read the CROA in full, to: http://www.ftc.gov/ro/chro/croa1.htm

Debtors Anonymous - National organization that offers a 12-step program for recovery from compulsive debting. Offers in-person and online meetings. For more information or to find the location of meetings in your area, go to: http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) - Enforced by the FTC, the FCRA is designed to promote accuracy and ensure the privacy of the information used in consumer credit reports. To read the FCRA, go to: http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm

Fair Debt Collection Practices Act - Requires that debt collectors treat you fairly, and prohibits certain methods of debt collection. To read about how this act protects you, go to: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - The FTC ensures the smooth operation of the free market system by enforcing federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices. You can file a complaint with the FTC as a final attempt to get a creditor's attention.
FTC Consumer Complaint Form - to file an online complaint with the FTC, go to: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01
The Federal Trade Commission has offices in seven areas across the U.S. To find the office in your region, go to: http://www.ftc.gov/ro/romap2.htm.
The FTC has a website created specifically for consumers, with tips about everything from how to file complaints about creditors to how to save money on your bills. To visit the site, go to: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-credit.htm.
FindLaw.com - Answers to legal questions, including a directory of lawyers by geographical region. For the area of the site on debt and bankruptcy, go to: http://biz.findlaw.com/bankruptcy/.

National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) - A non-profit organization specializing in consumer issues on behalf of low-income consumers. NCLC works with legal services, government and private attorneys, and community groups and organizations that represent low-income and elderly individuals on consumer issues: http://www.nclc.org.

National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) - A non-profit network of 1,450 member agencies designed to provide assistance to people dealing with problematic financial situations: http://www.nfcc.org/.