BusinessTampaBay.com - Tampa Bay Florida Consumer Services

APPLIANCES Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, Suite 402, 1111 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 872-5955.
Web site: http://www.aham.org. Click on "Just For Consumers" for buying information, use-and-care, help and repair/service assistance.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors, Association, 3202 Henderson Blvd., Suite 204, Tampa, FL 33609; (813) 870-2607.
Web site: http://www.racca-florida.org

AUTOMOBILES Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Lemon Law Hot Line, (800) 321-5366; (850) 488-2221 outside of Florida (hold and ask for Lemon law Hot Line).
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, regulates auto repair shops, (800) 435-7352 (FLA-HELP).
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com.

Department of Transportation Auto Safety Hotline, (888) 327-4236, (800) 424-9393.
Web Site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

Florida Attorney General's Web Site: http://legal.firn.edu (for information on Florida's Lemon Law and a list of vehicles bought back using the law).

Edmunds Used Car True Market Value: Provides True Market Value, Unbiased Car Reviews, Ratings, and Expert Advice to help you get a fair deal
Web Site: http://www.edmunds.com

BANKING Comptroller of the Currency, OCC Customer Assistance Group, 1301 McKinney St., Suite 3710, Houston, TX 77010, (800) 613-6743 (for questions or complaints regarding national banks and credit card and mortgage company subsidiaries of national banks. A national bank has the word National or the letters N.A. in its official name.
Web Site: http://www.occ.treas.gov, click on customer assistance icon.

Florida Comptroller's West Central Florida Regional Office, 1313 Tampa St., Suite 615, Tampa, FL 33602, (800) 258-8403, (813) 272-2565.
Web Site: http://www.wcfro.com.

BOATING SAFETY FLORIDA Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600; (850) 488-4676.
Web Site: http://fcn.state.fl.us/gfc/ (Click on Boating Safety Information).

Boating Safety courses are presented by your local Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron. Information about Boating Safety Courses can be obtained by calling the BOAT/U.S. Boating Safety Hotline at 800-336-BOAT (800-336-2628).

BROADCASTING Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20554; (888) 225-5322, CALL FCC), (888) 835-5322 (TELL-FCC) (TTY).
Web Site: http://www.fcc.gov.

BUSINESS PRACTICES Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580; (877) 382-4357 (FTC-HELP).
Web Site: http://www.ftc.gov

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (800) 435-7352 (HELP-FLA).
Web Site: http://www.helpfla.com

Hillsborough County Consumer Protection, P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, FL 33601; (813) 272-6750.
Web Site: http://hillsboroughcounty.org (click on "consumer protection" under A-Z Index.

Pasco County Consumer Affairs, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654; (727) 847-8110.
Web Site: http://pascocounty.com/govt(click on "Consumer Affairs" under Departments.

Pinellas County Consumer Protection, 14250 49th St. N, 2nd floor, Clearwater, FL 33762; (727) 464-6200; (727) 464-7988 (to check on charities or bingo).

CABLE TELEVISION Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, 445 12th St. SW, Washington, DC 20554 Phone: (888) 225-5322 (CALL-FDCC), (888) 835-5322 (TELL-FCC (TTY).
Web Site: http://www.fcc.gov.

CARPET Carpet and Rug Institute, Box 2048, Dalton, GA 30722; (800) 882-8846.
Web Site: http://www.carpet-rug.com (for carpet and rug questions).

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, 2715 E mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661; (800) 835-4624. Web Site: http://www.iicrc.org(for referrals to its certified carpet and upholstery cleaners, restoration specialist and carpet inspectors).

CHARITIES Solicitation of Contributions Section, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (800) 435-7352 (HELPFLA), (for a free Gift Givers Guide).
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com.

National Charities Information Bureau, 19 Union square W, Sixth Floor, New York, NY 10003-3395, (212) 929-6300 (for a free Wise Giving Guide).
Web Site: http://www.give.org

Pinellas County Charitable Solicitation Office, (727) 464-7988.

CHILD SUPPORT Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement, (800) 622-5437

Association for Children for Enforcement of Support (free self-help organization), 2260 Upton Ave., Toledo, OH 43606, (800) 537-7072.
Web Site: http://www.childsupport-aces.org

CONDOMINIUMS

Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Complaints, 1940 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0782 (800) 342-7940.
Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr.

Bureau of Condominiums Hotline, (800) 226-6028 or (800) 226-9101.

CONTRACTORS Construction Industry Licensing Board, 7960 Arlington Expressway, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32211-7467, (904) 727-6530.
Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr (to check on licenses and file complaints).

Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Complaints, 1904 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0782; (800) 442-7940.
Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/.dbpr.

Builders Associations:
Citrus, (352) 746-9028.
Greater Tampa, (813) 873-1000.
Hernando, (352) 596-1114.
Pasco, (727) 375-8922.
Pinellas, (727) 545-5536

Citrus County Building Division, Department of Development Services, (352) 527-5310
Hernando County Contractor Licensing Division, Department of Development, (352) 754-4109.
Hillsborough County Contractors Licensing, (813) 635-7309.
Pasco County Building Development, Contractor Licensing, (727) 847-8797.
Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board, (727) 536-4720.

COSMETICS

Food and Drug Administration, Office of Cosmetics and Colors, 200 C St. SW, Washington, DC 20284; (888) 723-3366 (SAFEFOOD) (888) 463-6332 (INFOFDA).
Web Site: http://www.fda.gov.

CREDIT Consumer Credit Counseling Service offices:
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Florida Gulf Coast, Hernando, (352) 754-9675;
Hillsborough, (813) 289-8923.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mid-Florida, Inverness, (352) 867-1865, (800) 245-1865.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Florida and the Florida Gulf Coast, (800) 741-7040 E-mail: fweber@cccsfl.org

Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20580; (877) 382-4357 (FTC-HELP).
Web Site: http://www.ftc.gov (for information and complaints on different types of credit problems, such as credit repairs scams, advance fee loan scams, home equity scams, file segregation to illegally shield one's true credit identity and identity theft).

Credit Bureaus:
Experian, (800) 682-7654.
Equifax (800) 685-1111.
TransUnion, (800) 888-4213.

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY (Recalls)

Consumer Product Safety Commission: CPSC is an Independent Federal Regulatory Agency. CPSC works to save lives and keep families safe by reducing the risk of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products. http://www.cpsc.gov/

DRUGS Food and Drug Administration, Office of Consumer Affairs, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Roackville, MD 20857 (888) 463-6332 (INFO-FDA)
Web Site: http://www.fda.gov.

DISABILITIES

Americans with Disabilities Act, The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); through a toll-free ADA Information Line; 800 - 514 - 0301 (voice), 800 - 514 - 0383 (TDD).
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, Disabled Parking Permits.
Web Site: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/disabled_pkg.html

Department of Labor and Employment Security, Web Site: http://www.fdles.state.fl.us/VR/
Services Available to People with Disabilities.
Web Site: http://www.fdles.state.fl.us/VR/employmentservices.htm

Florida Division of Blind Services, The Division of Blind Services will be the best organization serving persons who are blind and visually impaired. If you need assistance now and live in Florida, call 1-800-342-1828 for immediate help.
Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/dbs/

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, The FDDC guides development and administration of services for people with developmental disabilities by planning and funding research, innovations, and programs to improve the quality of their lives. 124 Marriott Drive Suite 203, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-2981 Phone: (850) 488-4180; (800) 580-7801; TDD: (850) 488-0956; Fax: (850) 922-6702
Web Site: http://Fddc.org/

DRIVER LICENSE CHECK Online Driver License Check - Use Driver License Check to determine if your license is currently valid or not.
Web Site: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/

DRY CLEANING International Fabricare Institute, 12251 Tech Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904; (301) 622-1900 (will analyze a damaged garment at the request of a member dry cleaner).
Web Site: http://www.ifi.org.

Neighborhood Cleaners Association International, 252 W 29th St., New York, NY 10001, (212) 967-3002 (will analyze a damaged garment for individuals for a fee).
Web Site: http://www.nca-i.com.

ELDER AFFAIRS

Administration on Aging, 330 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20201; (800) 677-1116 (Elder Care Locator, to find a service for an older person in his or her locale; (202) 619-7501.

National Aging Information Center, for technical information and public inquiries.
Web Site: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov (provides information designed for older Americans; for links to numerous Web sites and agencies, click on "information for older persons and families".

National Institute on Aging, Building 31, Room 5C27, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2292, Bethesda, MD 20892, (301) 496-1752
NIA Information Center, P.O. Box 8057, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057, (800) 222-2225 (to order NIA publications.
Web Site: http://www.nih.gov/nia.

Senior help line, (800) 963-5337 (96-ELDER) (access to information regarding elder services and activities within Florida

Florida abuse hotline, (800) 962-2873.

EMPLOYMENT Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Tampa, (813) 626-1177

U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour help line, 4905 W Laurel St., Suite 300, Tampa, FL 33607, (813) 228-1242 (Handles complaints about overtime, minimum wage and family medical leave. Does not deal with complaints about paid vacations, coffee breaks, unemployment or workers' compensation).
Web Site: http://www.dol.gov

Web site: http://www.workers.gov., co-sponsored by the U.S. department of Labor, Education, Defense, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, Transportation, and others, provides links to government services and information.

Florida Department of Labor, Florida labor laws, workforce and employment opportunity (800) 438-4128, (800) 633-3572, (850) 488-9250.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 501 E Polk St., Room 1020, Tampa, FL 33602; (813) 228-2310 (complaints), (800) 669-4000.

ENVIRONMENT Florida Clean Air Act (complaints about smoking in public places) (800 337-3742.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 3084 Coconut Palm Drive, Tampa, FL 33619, (813) 744-6100; or 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399, (850) 921-1222.
Web Site: http://www.dep.state.fl.us.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 3900 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, FL 33811, (863) 648-3203; or 2574 Seagate Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301, (850) 488-4676.
Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/fwc (emergency reports of boating or fishing accidents, poaching or hunting out of season and alligators, (800) 282-8002.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement Division, (813) 272-2516

FEDERAL INFORMATION

Federal Information Center, (800) 688-9889
Web Site: http://www.consumer.gov (for links to a broad range of online federal information resources, including tips on avoiding scams).

FOOD Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Consumer Education Staff, 200 C St. SW, Washington, DC 20204; (888) 463-6332 (INFO-FDA).
Web Site: http://www.fda.gov.

Safe Food hotline, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, (888) 723-3366 (SAFEFOOD).
Web Site: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov.

USDA's Meat and Poultry hotline, (800) 535-4555.
Web Site: http://www.fsis.usda.gov.

Restaurant complaints:
Department of Business Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, (in charge of licensing and inspections, 1313 N Tampa St., Room 106, Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 880-7753.

Grocery store complaints:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, (800) 435-7352 (HELP-FLA).
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com.

Complaints when illness results from eating foods:
Environmental Health Divisions, County Health Departments:
Citrus (352) 527-0068, ask for Dee Williams.
Hernando, (813) 754-4072, ext. #4.
Hillsborough, (813) 307-8000, ext. 5941.
Pasco, (727) 841-4221.
Pinellas, (727) 588-4032

Food Safety Web Site: http://www.foodsafety.gov

International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements.
Web Site: www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/ibids. Provides information on dietary supplements including vitamins, minerals and botanicals.

Agricultural Research Service's Nutrients Data Laboratory.
Web Site: http;//www.nal.usda.gov/fnic. Provides information on what nutrients, lipids, amino acids, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, etc., are in the foods we eat.

FUEL / GASOLINE Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (800) 435-7352 (HELP-FLA).
Web Site: http://www.800help.fla.com (for complaints about quality and content of gasoline.

FUNERALS Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Complaints, 1940 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0782; (800) 342-7940.

Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr (DBPR licenses funeral directors and embalmers).
Funeral and Cemetery Hotline, Department of Banking and Finance, (800) 323-2627 (includes complaints about pre-need sales and trust funds).
Web Site: http://www.dbf.state.fl.us

West Central Region:
1313 N Tampa St., Suite 615, (800) 258-8403
Web Site: http://www.wcfro.com

Funeral Service Consumer Assistance Program, (800) 662-7666 (for assistance regarding funeral services already received).

National Funeral Directors Association, (800) 228-6332 (for general information).
Web Site: http://www.nfda.org.

HEALTHCARE

Agency for Health Care Administration, Consumer Assistance, Complains about quality of care or bills from health care facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, ACLFs, home care companies and HMOs) Unit 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32308-5403, (888) 419-3456.
Web Site: http://www.fdhc,state.fl.us (AHCA licenses and regulates health care facilities).

Medical Quality Assurance / Consumer Services Unit of AHCA, (888) 419-3456, to check licenses, make complaints about the quality of health care, find out whether any disciplinary action has been taken against a health care practitioner (doctor, dentist, nurse, chiropractor, etc.) (DOH licenses and regulates health care professionals, but AHCA takes complaints and conducts investigations on behalf of DOH.)
Web Site: http://www.doh.state.fl.us, click on physician profile for information on physicians.

Florida Abuse Hotline, (800) 962-2873 (for information or concerns about suspected abuse or neglect.
Web Site: http://www.floridahealthstat.com (source for information on health care facilities, hospital data, provider information, children's health and links to health care related web pages.

Florida Local Advocacy Council (volunteer organization for protecting the human rights of clients of the Department of Children and Families, Department of Health and Agency for Health Care Administration):
Pinellas and Pasco: (800) 638-2144, (727) 588-7074
Hillsborough and Manatee: (800) 226-7056, (813) 871-7876
Citrus and Hernando: (352) 330-2177, ext. 6279; statewide: (800) 342-0825
Medicare Peer Review Organization of Florida, (800) 844-0795
U.S. Inspector General's fraud, waste and abuse hot line, (800) 424-9121 (for complaints about U.S. Department of Agriculture programs).

County Medical Societies:
Citrus, (352) 344-9822
Hernando, (353) 596-8599
Hillsborough, (813) 253-0471
Pasco, (727) 869-7341
Pinellas, 9727) 541-1159

HEALTH STUDIOS / GYMS; DANCE STUDIOS Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (800) 435-7352 (FLA-HELP).
Web Site: http://www.800help-fla.com

HEARING AIDS International Hearing Society, 16880 Middlebelt Rd. Ste.4, Livonia, Michigan 48154; (800)521-5247; (734) 522-7200.
Web Site: http://www.hearingihs.org.

Agency for Health Care Administration, Consumer Services Unit, P.O. Box 1400, Tallahassee, FL 32317-4000; (800) 419-3456 (complaints).
Web Site: http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us.

INSURANCE Department of Insurance consumer Assistance Helpline: (800) 342-2762.
Web Site: http://www.doi.state.fl.us.

Regional offices:
Citrus, (407) 245-0870.
Hernando, Hillsborough and east Pasco, (813) 987-6741.
Pinellas and Pasco, (727) 588-3638.

INTERNET FRAUD Internet Fraud Complaint Center
Web Site: http://www.ifccfbi.gov.

Internet Fraud Council, 7401 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300A, Richmond, VA 23225
Web Site: http://www.internetfraudcouncil.org/

The National Consumer League's National Fraud Information Center & Internet Fraud Watch; To Call From Canada or the United States, including Puerto Rico, use the toll free number, 1-800-876-7060.
Web Site: http://www.fraud.org/welmes.htm

LANDLORD - TENANT DISPUTES

Division of Hotels and Restaurants, 1313 N Tampa St., Room 106, Tampa, FL 33602, (813) 272-2200, (800) 880-7753

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (800) 435-7352 (to get a free copy of Florida's landlord/tenant law).
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com.

Florida Public Interest Research Group, 704 W Madison St., Tallahassee, FL 32304 (send $10 for an easy-to-understand Renter's Rights Handbook); (850) 224-3321; the handbook is also available on the web site: http://www.pirg.org/floridaapirg.

Bay Area Apartment Association, 4509 George Road, Tampa, FL 33634; (813) 882-0222.

LAWYERS American Bar Association, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611; (800) 285-2221.
Web Site: http://www.abanet.org.

Florida Bar Association, 650 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2300; (850) 561-5600; (850) 561-5834 (for consumer pamphlets); (800) 342-0811 (for lawyer referral); (850) 561-5839 (for complaints against attorneys).
Web Site: http://www.flabar.org.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE Mediation Services:
Hillsborough, (813) 272-5642
Pasco, (727) 847-8174
South Pinellas, (727) 582-7250

Small Claims Courts:
Citrus, (352) 641-6453
Clearwater, 9727) 464-3267
Hernando, (352) 754-4201
Hillsborough, (813) 276-8100
St. Petersburg, (727) 582-7771

Free legal services for qualified, low-income residents:
Citrus, (352) 726-8512
Hernando, (352) 796-7238
Hillsborough, (813) 232-1343
Dade City, (352) 567-9044
New Port Richey, (727) 847-5495
North Pinellas, (727) 443-0657
South Pinellas, (727) 821-0726

Lawyer referral services:
Hillsborough, (813) 221-7780
Clearwater, (727) 461-4880
St. Petersburg, (727) 821-5450
West Pasco, 9727) 848-7433
All other areas; Florida Bar Association, (800) 342-0811.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE - CIVIL RIGHTS American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, 3000 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 215, Miami, FL 33137; (305) 576-2336; (800) 775-2258 (ACLU, to order publications).
Web Site: http://www.aclufl.org

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 501 E Polk St., Timberlake-Federal Building Annex, Room 1020, Tampa, FL 33602, (813) 228-2310, (800) 669-4000.
Web Site: http://www.eeoc.org

Equality Florida (formerly the Human Rights Task Force of Florida), (813) 870-3735.
Web Site: http://eqfl.org

Florida Commission on Human Relations, 325 John Knox Road, Building F, Suite 240, Tallahassee, FL 32303-4149; (850) 488-7082, (800) 342-8170 (for forms to file a discrimination complaint).
Web Site: http://fchr.state.fl.us

Human Relations / Community Affairs Departments:
Pinellas, (727) 893-7345
Tampa, (813) 274-5835
Hillsborough, (813) 272-5835

Department of Corrections, Inmate Grievances, (850) 488-0094

Florida Justice Institute (private organization dealing with prisoner mistreatment), 200 S Biscayne Blvd., Suite 2870, Miami, FL 33131, (305) 358-2081

LEGISLATION

For information on the status (but not interpretation) of current or past bills:
Florida legislative hotline, (800) 342-1827
Web Site: http://www.leg.state.fl.us.

U.S. Legislative Information, (202) 225-1772
Web Site: http://www.clerkweb.house.gov.

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS Publishers Clearing House Consumer Magazine Action Line, (for subscription complaints, including those not purchased through Publishers Clearing House), (800) 645-9242
Web Site: http://www.pch.com.

MAIL U.S. Postal Service, Consumer Advocate, 475 L' Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20260-2200 (ASK-USPS).
Web Site: http://www.usps.com.

U.S. Postal Inspector, (813) 281-5200.

ConsumerLine, Direct Marketing Association, 111 19th St. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036 (for complaints regarding mail, phone or Internet transactions).
Web Site: http://www.the-dma.org(click on "consumers).

Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box. 9008, Farmington, NY 11735-9008 (to have your name removed from the following types of national mail: catalogs, major non-profit solicitations, financial services, book and music clubs, magazines and sweepstakes offers, major retailers).
Web Site: http://www.dma.org. (click on "consumers).

MOBILE HOMES Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida Inc., P.O. Box 5350, Largo, FL 33779-5350; (727) 530-7539.
Web Site: http://www.fmo.org

Florida Manufactured Housing Association, 2958 Wellington Circle N, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32308, (850) 222-4011.
Web Site: http://wwwfmha.org

Mobile Home Construction, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 4033 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33617, (813) 631-5382 (regulates mobile homes and recreational vehicle construction; helps consumers with structural problems during first-year warranty period).
web Site: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us

Bureau of Mobile Home Regulation, Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums and Mobile Homes, (800) 700-2013.

MOVING COMPANIES Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services; (800) 435-7352 (HELP-FLA)) ( for complaints against intrastate movers and to get a copy of its "Household Moving With Florida" guide before hiring a local / intrastate mover).
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com.

For interstate moves (between states), the moving company must, by law, provide you with a free booklet, "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." It is available on the Department of transportation Office of Motor Carriers'.
Web site: http://www.mcs.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm

PENNY FOR PINELLAS Penny for Pinellas - The Penny for Pinellas is the one-cent additional local government option sales tax on sales pursuant to Section 212.055(2), Florida Statutes., The local option sales tax piggybacks the state sales tax and applies to all sales, use, services, rentals, admissions
and other authorized transactions.
Web Site: http://www.pinellascounty.org/Penny/

PEST CONTROL Florida Bureau of Entomology and Pest Control (Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services), (850) 922-7011 (DACS Mosquito Control); (850) 921-4177 (pest control, contact field offices listed first).

State Entomologist:
Citrus and Hernando, (352) 955-2270
Hillsborough and Polk, (727) 507-4151
Pinellas and Pasco, 9727) 507-4152

National Pesticides Telecommunications Network, (800) 858-7378 (for concerns about pesticide toxicity).
Web Site: http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (800) 435-7352 (HELP-FLA) (for complaints).
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com.

WEST COAST - FLORIDA - PROPERTY APPRAISER OFFICES

Pinellas County Property Appraiser's Office: The Property Appraiser has the legal responsibility to discover the market value set by individuals in the real estate marketplace and to appraise property accordingly. Our job is to serve the public by providing taxing authorities with accurate and uniform property valuations for tax purposes.
Web Site: http://pao.co.pinellas.fl.us/

Polk County Property Appraiser Office: This site provides access to the real estate, tangible personal property records, and GIS maps of Polk County as well as general information regarding our office.
Web Site: http://www.polkpa.org/home.asp?mnu=Home

Pasco County Appraisers Office: The primary mission of the Pasco County Property Appraiser's Office is to fairly and equitably discover, list, and value all real estate and tangible personal property in Pasco County.
Web Site: http://appraiser.pascogov.com/

Hillsborough County Property Appraisers Office: The Hillsborough County Tax Collector, located in Tampa, Florida, bills, collects and disburses annual property taxes levied by the Hillsborough County Commission and other taxing agencies such as the School Board and the municipalities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City.
Web Site: http://www.hillstax.org/main.asp

Manatee County Property Appraisers Office: This site provides access to land records maintained by the Manatee County Property Appraisers Office. Our office is located at 915 4TH AVE. W. in Bradenton, FL 34205. Our main office phone numbers are 941-748-8208 and FAX 941-742-5664.
Web Site: http://www.manateepao.com/home.asp?mnu=Home

PRODUCT SAFETY U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission hotline, (800) 638-2772.
Web Site: http://www.cpsc.gov

PROFESSIONAL REGULATION Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 1940 N Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0782; (850) 487-2252 (general information); (800) 342-7940 (to file a complaint); (813) 554-2229 to check licenses (for barber shops, beauty parlors, veterinarians, funeral homes and directors, and construction) issued by this department in Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Hardee;
Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr. This department licenses, regulates and in
spects 198 professionals and businesses as authorized ny the Florida legislature, including hotels and restaurants licenses, various construction and building trades, numerous service industry positions, land sales, condominiums and mobile homes, alcohol and tobacco, pari-mutuel wagering, at-need funeral homes and funeral directors, and excluding health-care and medical-related fields and retail establishments.

QUESTIONABLE DOCTORS Questionable Doctors: is the only comprehensive, publicly available databank that contains information on doctors who have been disciplined by state medical boards and federal agencies in the past ten years.
Web Site: http://www.questionabledoctors.org/

REAL ESTATE

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Real Estate, Complaint Section, 400 W Robinson St., Suite N308, Orlando, FL 32801, (407) 245-0800.
Web Site: http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr.

RECYCLING Citrus, (352) 746-5000
Hernando, (352) 754-4112
Hillsborough, (813) 272-5680
Pasco, (727) 847-8041
Pinellas, (727) 464-7777

Find Out What You Can Recycle and Where To Recycle; Go to Florida's Earth's 911
Web Site: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/dwm/programs/recycling/

STATE INFORMATION Web Site: http://www.myflorida.com (links to state departments, agencies and other information).

STATE SALES TAX Department of Revenue, 6302 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33619, (813) 744-6344; or 19337 U.S. 19 N, Suite 200, Clearwater, Fl 34624-3149, (727) 538-7400 or (800) 352-3671.
Web Site: http://www.sun6.dms.state.fl.us/dor

SWEEPSTAKES CONTEST Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 6687, Tallahassee, FL 32314-6687, (850) 488-5381.
Web Site: http://www.floridapsc.com (intrastate telephones).

TELEPHONE COMPANIES Pubic Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850, (800) 342-3552.
Web Site: http://www.floridapsc.com (intrastate telephones).

Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Information Bureau, 445 12th st., SW, Washington, DC 20554; (888) 225-5322 (CALL-FCC), (888) 835-5322 (TELL-FCC) (TTY) (interstate and wireless telephone service).
Web Site: http://www.fcc.gov

TELEPHONE SOLICITORS Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, (800) 435-7352 (HELP-FLA).
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com (for complaints and inclusion on the "No Sales Solicitation" calls list.

National Fraud Information Center, P.O. Box 65868, Washington, DC 20035; (800) 876-7060.
Web Site: http://www.fraud.org

Telemarketing Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9014, Farmington, NY 11735-9014 (to have your name put on a list to reduce the number of national, commercial telemarketing calls).
Web Site: http://www.the-dma.org (click on consumers).

TRANSPORTATION / TRAVEL Air Travel Complaints:
Aviation Consumer Protection Division, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room 4107, C-75, Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-2220.
Web Site: http://www.dor.gov/airconsumer

Airline Safety:
Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, Room 1003, Washington, DC 20591, (800) 322-7873.
Web Site: http://wwwfaa.gov

Buses:
Federal Transit Administration, 400 Seventh St. SW, Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-4043.
Web Site: http://www.fta.dot.gov

Railroads:
Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20590. (202) 493-6024 (safety issues only).
Web Site: http://www.fra.dot.gov

Cruise Complaints:
Federal Maritime Commission, 800 N Capitol St. NW, Room 970, Washington, DC 20573-0001; (202) 523-5807.
Web Site: http://www.fmc.gov

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, (800) 435-7352 (HELP-FLA) (travel agents in Florida must be registered.
Web Site: http://www.800helpfla.com

American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), 1101 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 739-2782.
Web Site: http://www.astanet.com

U.S. Tour Operators Association, 342 Madison Ave., Suite 1522, New York, NY 10173, (212) 599-6599.
Web Site: http://www.ustoa.com

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

Unclaimed Property, Department of Banking and Finance, (888) 258-2253; (850) 488-7777 (outside of Florida).
Web Site: http://up.dbf.state.fl.us (provides links to other states and agencies).

UTILITIES Public Service Commission, 2540 Shimmered Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850, (800) 342-3552.
Web Site: http://www.floridapsc.com (investor owned water and waste water, electric, natural gas).

VETERANS' AFFAIRS - Tampa Region and National U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs (Florida),
9500 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL, 33708; Local (727)-319-7400; Statewide 1-800-827-1000; Fax (727) 319-7780.
Web Site: http://www.floridavets.org/

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. Veterans Benefits ... VAMC Tampa
13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Bldg. #19, Tampa, Fl. 33612, (813) 972-2000, X6589
Web Site: www.floridavets.org/organization/med.asp

U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, (National),
Web Site: http://www.va.gov/

WATER MANAGEMENT Southwest Florida Water Management District, 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL 34609-6899, 352-796-7211 or 800-423-1476 (FL only).
Web Site: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/Default.htm

WHITE HOUSE GREETINGS OFFICE White House Greetings Office, the President, Attn. Greetings Office, Room 39, White House, Washington, DC 20500.

For birthdays (80 years and above), wedding or anniversaries (50 years and above), include the individual's or couple's name and title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.), address, and month, day and year of birth or marriage.

For the birth of a child, include the child's full name, date of birth, parents' complete name and titles and parents address.

For acknowledgments of graduations, scouting awards and bar/bat mitzvahs, include individual's name, address / occasion and date of presentation / occasion.

For condolences / sympathy cards, include individual's name, date and circumstances of death, name(s) and address(es) of family member(s) to whom the card will be sent.
request should be sent six weeks prior to the event, except obviously, in the case of birth or death.
In those cases, a card will be sent within six weeks of notification.
You may also request that a photo of the President be included.
Mail or fax the request to: The President, Attn. Greetings Office, Room 39, White House, Washington, DC 20500; fax (202) 395-1232
For information, call (202) 456-2724. The status of a requested greeting cannot be checked except in the case of 100th birthday.

IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT

Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308; (850) 488-1295, (888) 419-3456.
Web Site: http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us(licenses and regulates health care facilities - hospitals, nursing homes, ACLFs, home health care companies and HMOs - and investigates complaints against health care practitioners for the Department of Health

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Neil Kirkman Building, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0500; (850) 487-2917; Emergency-Florida Highway Patrol, (800) 525-5555.
Web Site: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us.

Florida Department of Insurance, Consumer Services, 200 E Gaines St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0322; (800) 342-2762 (consumer help line).
Web Site: http://www.doi.state.fl.us.

Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Knight Building, 2737 Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3100; (850) 488-1850; public information department, (850) 921-5900.
Web Site: http://www.djj.state.fl.us.

Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, Hartman Building, Suite 303, 2012 Capital Circle SE, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2152; (850) 488-4398
Worker's Compensation Claims, (800) 342-1741; Florida labor laws, (800) 438-4128.
Web Site: http://www.fdles.state.fl.us.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489; information office, (850) 410-7000; missing children information clearing house, (888) 356-4774.
Web Site: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us.

Office of the Attorney General (Florida Department of Legal Affairs), Consumer Litigation Section, the capitol, PL-01, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050; (850) 414-3600.
Web Site: http://www.legal.firn.edu (the attorney general is the chief state legal officer; the office administers Florida's consumer protection laws).

Florida Department of the Lottery, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399 (physical address); Capitol Complex, Tallahassee, FL 32399-4016 (postal address); winning numbers, (900) 737-7777; player information, (850) 487-7787.
Web Site: http://www.flalottery.com.

Florida Department of Military Affairs, St. Francis Barracks, P.O. Box 1008, St. Augustine, FL 32085-1008; 9904) 823-0364.
Web Site: http://www.dma.state.fl.us.

Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850; (850) 342-3552.
Web Site: http://www.floridapsc.com (regulates investor-owned utilities and intrastate telephone service.

Florida Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Services Process, 5050 W Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0100; (800) 352-3671; child support enforcement, (800) 622-5437.
Web Site: http://www.sun6.dms.state.fl.us/dor.

Florida Department of State, Secretary of State, the Capitol, PL-02, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250; (850) 488-3680.
Web Site: http://www.dos.state.fl.us.

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, P.O. Box 31003, St. Petersburg, FL 33731-8903; (727) 319-7200.
Web Site: http://www.floridaavets.org.

Office of the Governor, the Capitol, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001; Citizens Assistance, (850) 488-7146.
Web Site: http://www.myflorida.com
e-mail: Gov. Jeb Bush@myflorida.com or fl_governor@eog.state.fl.us.

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