For locally registered contractors, contact your county's contractor-certification office. Federal hot line offering information about product recalls. Prosecutors here usually deal with patterns of complaints about unfair or deceptive trade practices, usually not individual disputes. In cases of outright theft or fraud, contact your local police, sheriff or state attorney's office. State agency provides a free survey on costs at hospitals and takes complaints about bills, quality of care and conditions.
State agency regulates rates, licenses insurance agents and investigates fraud.
Applies to new cars with problems occurring within the first two years or 24,000 miles. Administered by the Florida Attorney General's Office and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Private organization in Washington has helped set up a national database for complaints about telemarketing swindles. For a copy, write to the Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colo. 81009.