Consumer Resources - AK Consumer Protection Unit (2024)

This page provides information about agencies, organizations and information of interest to consumers.

Disclaimer: This page contains links to websites that are created and maintained by other organizations. The Alaska Attorney General's office does not necessarily endorse the views expressed nor guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented on these sites.

Consumer Protection Agencies

Banks and Financial Institutions

Legal Resources

Alaska State Agencies

Federal Agencies

Consumer Information on a variety of topics

Consumer Protection Agencies

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC works to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. The FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection's website has useful information and publications covering all areas of consumer protection and consumer fraud.

Consumers can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using their toll-free consumer helpline or online.

877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
TTY 866-653-4261

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The central mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is to make markets for consumer financial products and services work for Americans—whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products.

Consumers can file online complaints about financial products with the CFPB.

National Do Not Call Registry

The FTC manages the National Do Not Call Registry, often referred to as the Do Not Call List. Consumers can add their home or cellular telephone numbers to the registry to limit the number of telemarketing calls they receive. Consumers can also file complaints if they receive unwanted calls at a registered telephone number.

888-382-1222
TTY: 866-290-4236

Better Business Bureau Great West + Pacific

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides information services and programs that promote an ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. The BBB's services include: conciliating marketplace disputes between consumers and businesses, providing company and charity reliability reports, and providing tips and information to help consumer make informed decisions.

Consumers can file complaints and access the BBB's company and charity reports through the BBB Great West + Pacific.

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The IC3 takes complaints from consumers regarding internet crime and refers complaints to law enforcement agencies. The IC3 issues internet scam alerts and provides tips for avoiding internet fraud.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.

Consumers can report unsafe products and search for product recalls and safety reports on the Commission's Safer Products website.

800-638-2772
TTY 800-638-8270

Banks and Financial Institutions

Banks and financial institutions are regulated by various state and federal agencies. To find out who regulates a particular bank or financial institution operating in Alaska, you can refer to the Alaska Directory of Banks and Financial Institutions (PDF) on the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities website.

Find the agency that regulates a bank or financial institution at the Consumer Help Center on the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council's website.

Visit the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities website for details about how to file a complaint against a bank or financial institution.

Alaska Banks, Financial Institutions and Securities

The Alaska Division of Banking and Securities charters, licenses, and supervises state-chartered commercial banks and financial institutions and enforces the Alaska Securities Act.

Hotline: 888-925-2521
TTY/TDD 907-465-5437

National Banks

National Banks are regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). If you have a question or concern about a National Bank, you can visit the OCC's website.

800-613-6743
TDD: 713-658-0340
TTY: 800-877-8339 (via a relay service)

National Credit Unions

National Credit Unions are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). To file a complaint against a National Credit Union or for more information visit the NCUA's Consumer Assistance Center.

800-755-1030

Federal Savings and Loans

Federal Savings and Loans are regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). For more information or to file a complaint, visit the OTS website.

202-906-6000

Legal Resources

Alaska Courts and Legal Research

For more information about state trial and appellate courts, visit the Alaska Court System's website. For legal research resources, visit the Alaska State Court Law Library website.

For information about federal courts in Alaska, visit the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska's website.

Alaska Bar Association

To find an attorney licensed to practice in Alaska, you can visit the Alaska Bar Association's website or contact the Alaska Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service.

Lawyer Referral Service: 907- 272-0352
1-800-770-9999 (in Alaska)

Alaska Legal Services Corporation

Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) is a private, non-profit law firm that provides legal assistance and representation to low-income Alaskans in non-criminal matters. ALSC also operates the Seniors' Legal Services Project, a legal assistance program for people 60 years old or older.

907- 272-9431
888-478-2572

Disability Law Center of Alaska

The Disability Law Center of Alaska is a private non-profit law firm that provides legal advocacy in Alaska for people with disabilities.

907-565-1002
1-800-478-1234

State Agencies of Interest to Consumers

Regulatory Commission of Alaska

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) regulates public utilities and ensures that they provide safe and adequate services and facilities at just and reasonable rates, terms, and conditions. The Consumer Protection & Information Section of the RCA helps consumers resolve disputes with utility service providers. For more information or to file a complaint, visit the RCA Consumer Protection Section's Website

907-276-6222
1-800-390-2782 (outside Anchorage)
TTY 907-276-4533

Alaska Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing

The mission of the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing is to ensure that competent, professional and regulated commercial services are available to Alaska consumers.

Visit the Corporations Section website to search Alaska Corporations or for information about registering a Business, Professional, Non-Profit, Religious, and Cooperative Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Partnerships, Trademarks, and Business Names.

You can apply for a business license or search businesses licenses on the Business Licensing Section's website.

Visit the Professional Licensing Sections' website for a list of all the occupations that require a professional license in the State of Alaska, and information, applications, and online services for all State professional licensing sections and boards. The Division also accepts complaints pertaining to the actions of licensed or unlicensed professionals.

907- 465-2550

Alaska Division of Insurance

The mission of the Alaska Division of Insurance is to assure that competitive, viable, ethical, and lawful insurance is available to Alaskans. The Division of Insurance enforces Alaska insurance laws and assists consumers directly by responding to insurance inquiries and investigating complaints against insurance companies and producers.

The Division accepts online consumer complaints against insurance companies and producers.

Juneau (907) 465-2515
TDD (907) 465-5437

Alaska Division of Measurement Standards and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement

The Division of Measurement Standards and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement ensures the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices, verifies the net weight and labeling of pre-packaged commodities and verifies the accuracy of price verification systems (scanners). Examples of these services include checking gas pumps, scales and scanners to be sure they are correct and checking packages to be sure they are not short weight. The Division investigates complaints involving short weight on a scale or package, short measure at a gas pump and short delivery on firewood and fuel oil.

(907) 365-1210
email: mscve@alaska.gov

Alaska Ombudsman's Office

The Alaska State Ombudsman has offices in Anchorage and Juneau to help people across the state with questions and complaints about state government agencies and the University of Alaska.

You can download the complaint form (PDF) or call your nearest Ombudsman's office and request a form.

907- 269-5290 (Anchorage Office)
Toll-free voice and TTY 1-800-478-2624

907- 465-4970 (Juneau Office)
Toll-free voice and TTY 1-800-478-4970

email: ombudsman@akleg.gov

Alaska State Commission for Human Rights

The Alaska State Commission for Human Rights enforces the Alaska Human Rights Law which prohibits discrimination in employment, credit, and financing practices, the sale or rental of real property, public accommodations, and practices by the state or its political subdivisions because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, and in some instances because of age, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy and parenthood.

907-274-4692 (Anchorage)
TTY/TDD 907-276-3177 (Anchorage)
Toll-Free Complaint Hot Line 800-478-4692 (in Alaska)
TTY/TDD Toll-Free Complaint Hot Line 800-478-3177 (in Alaska)

Alaska Senior & Disability Services

Alaska Division of Senior and Disability Services

Alaska Division of Senior and Disability Services programs include: Adult Protective Services, Aging and Disability Resources Center, Medicare Information Office, Medicaid Waivers, Personal Care Assistants, Assisted Living Providers, and Skilled Nursing Facilities.

907- 465-3372
Toll Free 866-465-3165
TTY 907-465-5430

Alaska Office of Elder Fraud and Assistance

The Office of Elder Fraud and Assistance investigates claims regarding the financial exploitation of Alaskans 60 and older, and seeks civil remedies on behalf of elders unable to pursue legal action without assistance.

(907) 334-5989

Alaska Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman

The Long Term Care Ombudsman can investigate and resolve complaints, evaluate facility conditions and provide information to the public about long term care facilities and programs. This office serves people 60 years and older who are primarily in long term care facilities.

907-334-4480
Toll Free 800-730-6393

Federal Agencies of Interest to Consumers

Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Taxpayer Advocate Service

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS that guides taxpayers through the process of resolving tax problems they have not been able to resolve on their own.

907-271-6877 (Anchorage Office)
Toll-Free 877-777-4778

Federal Citizen Information Center

The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) provides general information about consumer issues and federal programs.

1-888-8 PUEBLO (1-888-878-3256)

On the FCIC website, you can order the latest Consumer Action Handbook. The Handbook is an everyday guide to being a smart shopper and is full of helpful tips about buying a car or home, preventing identity theft, understanding credit, filing a consumer complaint, and much more.

The FCIC's National Contact Center can help you find information about the Federal Government's agencies, services and programs. The FCIC can also tell you which office to contact for help with problems.

Toll free line 800-688-9889
TDD/TTY 800-326-2996

DOT Aviation Consumer Protection Division

The Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection Division monitors compliance with and investigates violations of the DOT's aviation economic, consumer protection, and civil rights requirements. The Division website also includes air travel information for consumers.

The Division handles all consumer complaints related to airline service, safety and disability access and discrimination.

202- 366-2220
TTY 202- 366-0511

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides information about driving, vehicle safety and child restraints. On the NHTSA's safety complaints page you can file a complaint and search for complaints and recalls related to motor vehicles and child restraints.

800-327-4236
TTY 800-424-9153

Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's Consumer Information Bureau provides information to consumers on a variety of topics. Consumers can also file complaints with the FCC about communications services and equipment.

1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322)

U.S. Postal Service Inspection Service

Consumer complaints are the principal basis for investigations of mail fraud. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has informative brochures available to consumers and businesses that relate to consumer fraud by phone or mail. Among the topics covered: solicitations disguised as invoices, advance fee schemes, sweepstakes advertising and what you should do if you've been conned.

Consumers can file complaints about mail fraud, mail theft, identity theft, and other matters with the Postal Inspection Service.

Hotline: 1-877-876-2455

Consumer Education & Advocacy Resources

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Alaska

Money Management International (MMI, formerly Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Alaska) is a nonprofit credit counseling organization with branch offices in Anchorage and Fairbanks. MMI assists consumers with financial guidance, credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, and consumer education programs.

Toll-Free 866-889-9347

Financial Fraud Enforcement Taskforce

The Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force is a coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies assembled to combat fraud. The Task Force website provides information about financial fraud and identity theft.

OnGuard Online

OnGuard Online provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help consumers stay on guard against internet fraud, secure their computers, and protect personal information.

National Fraud Information Center

The National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) was created by the National Consumers League, the oldest private, non-profit advocacy group representing consumers on marketplace and workplace issues. The NFIC's purpose is to fight telemarketing fraud by improving prevention and enforcement. The NFIC accepts online complaints about telephone or internet fraud.

AKPIRG

The Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG) is a non-partisan, statewide non-profit organization that promotes consumer and public interest through research, education and advocacy in a variety of areas, including consumer protection.

National Consumer Law Center

The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization. The NCLC website offers education materials for consumers on a variety of topics.

Consumer Federation of America

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that conducts research, advocacy and education in a variety of areas.

Consumer Action

Consumer Action is a non-profit organization that promotes financial literacy and advocates for consumer rights. It offers a multilingual consumer hotline, free information on long-distance telephone companies and consumer education materials.

415-777-9635 (Consumer complaint hotline)

Call for Action

Call for Action (CFA) is an international, nonprofit network of consumer hotlines. When a consumer contacts CFA, a CFA volunteer will contact the company or agency directly to promote dispute resolution. CFA assists the general public and small businesses victimized by fraud and addresses other consumer issues such as: debit cards/electronic banking, telephone fraud, advance-fee loans, investment fraud and basic credit.