Investor & Consumer Resources
A list of places to take your complaints and questions as well as to obtain literature on investor and consumer matters. Note: Some organizations charge fees for material or levy membership dues.
401(k) INFORMATION - Employee Benefits Security Administration 1-866-444-3272
ANNUITIES AND LIFE INSURANCE - Michael Hanley, Walnut Creek, CA 925-944-0800
BANK RATINGS - Veribanc, 800-442-2657 - Sells more detailed safety
ratings on hundreds of banks, savings and loans and credit unions
across the country. Charge is $10 for the first institution rated
and $5 for each subsequent one.
BROKER COMPLAINTS - Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, San Francisco 1-415-217-1100
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT RATES - www.BankRate.com
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS - California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Consumer Info Line,
800-952-5210 - Can help in complaints regarding landlords, sales
and promotions, auto repairs, credit bureaus, etc.
COLLEGE 529 PLANS - California Scholarshare College Savings Plan 1-800-544-5248
CREDIT CARD RATES, FEES - Card Track 800-344-7714 and www.BankRate.com
CREDIT PROBLEMS - Consumer Credit Counseling Service, 1-866-331-2227 - For a
nominal fee, this service will help you pry extended loans from
creditors and consolidate monthly payments. You may hear operator say “Money Management International”
CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES - Trans-Union, Credit rating: 1-800-888-4213; Credit dispute: 1-800-916-8800 - Allows you to determine your
credit rating or to get discrepancies cleared.
CREDIT UNIONS - California Credit Union League, 800-472-1702 - The League
will give you the name of a credit union in your area you may be
eligible to join.
GENERAL INFORMATION - Check your local main library/business information center as many
of them carry investment materials and will answer questions.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS - The Internet Retirement Alliance - www.ira.com
INFLATION DATA - Bureau of Labor Statistics, 415-625-2270 - Dispenses information on rate of inflation locally and nationally.
INVESTORS’ GROUPS - American association of individual investors, 1-800-428-2244;
National Association of Investors Corp, (Investment Clubs)
248-583-6242
LIFE INSURANCE SHOPPING - Select Quote,
800-343-1985, www.selectquote.com
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP SALES - MacKenzie Patterson, 925-631-9100
MONEY MARKET FUNDS RATES - iMoneyNet - www.imoneynet.com
MORTGAGE RATES - Freddie Mac - www.freddiemac.com
OLD STOCK CERTIFICATES - Stock Search International, 800-537-4523 - Researches, for
a fee, old stock certificates for any remaining value.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS - National Association
of Real Estate Investment Trusts, www.nareit.com , 202-739-9400 - Provides free and priced literature on real
estate investment trusts.
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING - Social Funds- www.socialfunds.com
SOCIAL SECURITY - Social Security Administration, www.ssa.com,
hot-line 800-772-1213 - A friendly voice should be able to answer
any of your knotty questions about Social Security regulations and
benefits.
STOCK RESEARCH - Yahoo! Finance - www.finance.yahoo.com
TAX PROBLEMS - IRS Problem Resolution Office, 800-829-1040, www.irs.gov
TREASURY SECURITIES SALES - Treasury Direct, www.publicdebt.treas.gov, 800-722-2678 - Recording gives
rates and sale dates for Treasury bills, notes and bonds. Menu leads
to personal assistance, if needed.