Better Choices for Virginia: A Message to Our Legislators

Today marked the public launch of the Better Choices for Virginia Coalition.  The Coalition is “a diverse group of Virginians committed to a stable and prosperous Commonwealth.”  Comprised of 27 Virginia organizations from public advocacy groups to business groups to think-tanks, the coalition is still growing.  For more information on Better Choices for Virginia, visit the website. 

The Better Choices campaign represents a desire to shift away from a “cuts-only” approach that further throws Virginia off balance without reasonable, thoughtful attempts to increase revenue in order to protect the diverse and numerous Virginians who have been harmed by destructive cuts in spending.  This morning, the Better Choices Coalition held a press conference to launch itself as a power in this conversation. 

Members of the Virginia PTA, The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, Henrico County School Division, and Mental Health America of Virginia provided both stories and hard facts in an effort to gain support for the coalition and its purpose of “protecting Virginia’s future prosperity.”  Virginia is at risk of depriving students of quality education, the ill of medication and care, and every Virginian of a long term plan designed to protect against the one-sidedness of a cuts-only approach.  For Michael Cassidy’s editorial calling for a shift in approach that includes balance and new revenue, visit The Virginian-Pilot online.

The Art of Complaining

The VPLC interns have created a resource list as a part of greater action plan for those dealing with faulty financial products.  This list is designed to provide consumers with the tools needed to lodge a complaint to the proper authorities.  The word “complaint” can have negative connotations, creating images of whining, nagging, and pestering, but issuing a complaint can be highly productive.  For those recovering from the negative effects of damaging financial services and products, it can be a tough ask to go on record with private issues and introduce them to the public forum.  But, one person’s complaint is almost definitely shared by others, and the more information that consumers have, the better.  The list offers advice on a range of actions from disputing a credit report to lodging a complaint with a government agency to telling one's story to increase awareness.  The how-to list can be found below.   

Issuing a Complaint to the Bureau of Financial Institutions (BFI)

Information on filing a complaint can be found at the SCC’s website at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/bfi/complain.aspx and to file complaints directed to the BFI visit  http://www.scc.virginia.gov/bfi/files/complaint_info.pdf for guidelines on submitting a written complaint. To check up on your complaint or make an additional inquiry, call 1-800-552-7945 (VA only.)

Issuing a Complaint to the Office of Consumer Affairs  

Issuing a complaint to the Office of Consumer Affairs can be done online at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/consumers/cgi-bin/complaints.cgi. There you will be directed to fill out a form with the subject matter of your complaint.  You will then be given the information (telephone number, mailing address etc.) of the organization that will field your complaint.  You may also call the hotline at the Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-552-9963.

Issuing a Complaint to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

To issue a complaint with the CFPB in regards to foreclosures, home loans, mortgages, credit cards, student loans, land purchases or rentals from a developer, deposit accounts, other financial products or services, or even non financial products or services, visit the CFPB’s complaints portion of its site at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/get-help-now/consumer-questions-and-complaints/. To tell your story to this federal watchdog, fill in the tab at https://help.consumerfinance.gov/app/tellyourstory. Note that this is not a complaint form.

Disputing a Credit Report

To dispute a credit report, you must send a dispute letter.  For more information on where and how to send a dispute, visit http://myfaircredit.com/s/correcting-your-credit. For additional help and a sample dispute letter, visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre21.shtm.

Internet Crimes

If you believe you have been the victim of internet fraud, go to http://www.ic3.gov to issue a complaint online.  Fill out the online form on the home page of the site.

Protecting Consumers by Giving Them a Choice

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is up and running.  A refreshing change from some government activities, the CFPB is not operating independently of the desires of consumers.  The CFPB has launched a portion of its website that allows consumers to vote on the best simplified disclosure form.  Click here to vote on your favorite form using an example loan product.