www.mass.gov/rmv

Offers general advice on consumer problems; referrals to other agencies for complaint mediation; free brochures on the Lemon Aid Law, the Used Vehicle Warranty Law, the New Car Lemon Law, consumers’ auto repair rights, and Small Claims Court. Administers the state’s new and used Lemon Law arbitration programs; call for an application or download application online.

Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Complaint and Information Section
200 Portland Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 727-8400
www.ago.state.ma.us

Information on businesses’ complaint histories, general advice on consumer problems, referrals to local consumer offices or other agencies for complaint mediation or arbitration.

Work in cooperation with the office of the Attorney General; mediate complaints on assorted consumer issues; Car Smart and other consumer brochures available at no cost.

Berkshire County Consumer Advocates, Inc.
Pittsfield (413) 443-9128

Bentley Consumer Action Line
Brockton (800) 273-9494
 

Cambridge Consumers’ Council
www.ci.cambridge.ma.us./~consumer
Cambridge (617) 349-6150
 

Consumer Assistance Council, Inc.
www.consumercouncil.com
Hyannis (508) 771-0700
(800) 867-0701 (Mass only)
 

Fall River Consumers’ Council, Inc.
Fall River (508) 324-2672
 

Greater Lawrence Community Action, Inc.
www.glcac.org/consumer.htm
Lawrence (978) 681-4990
 

Northwestern District Attorney/Franklin County
Greenfield (413) 774-5102 x226
 

Consumer Protection Program of
Community Action Council, Inc.
Haverhill (978) 373-1971
 

MASSPIRG Consumer Action Center
Weymouth (781) 335-0280
 

Medford Consumer Advisory Commission
Medford (781) 393-2460
 

Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs & Licensing
Boston (617) 635-3834
 

Consumer Assistance Office of Metro West, Inc.
Natick (508) 651-8812
 

Middlesex Community College Law Center
Lowell (978) 656-3342
 

Newton-Brookline Consumer Office
Newton (617) 552-7205
 

Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office
Dedham (617) 769-6118
 

Northwestern District Attorney
Office/Hampshire County
Northampton (413) 586-9225
 

Revere Consumer Affairs Office
Revere (781) 286-8114
 

South Shore Community Action Council
Plymouth (508) 747-7575
x225, 226 or 227

Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information
Springfield (413) 787-6437

Worcester Community Action Council
Worcester (508) 754-1176 x130

Better Business Bureau of
Central New England, Inc.
32 Franklin Street
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 755-2548
www.worcester.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of
Central New England, Inc.
(branch of Worcester)
293 Bridge Street, Suite 409
Springfield, MA 01103-1402
(413) 734-3114
www.springfield-ma.bbb.org

Reports on businesses; brochures on auto-related topics; general advice on consumer problems; mediation of individual complaints; arbitration on behalf of certain dealers and manufacturers. Regional toll-free number for BBB Auto Line arbitration program: 800-955-5100.

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Consumer Regulations, Bank Examination Dept.
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02106-2076
(617) 973-3000
www.bos.frb.org

Answers questions pertaining to the Federal Reserve System’s consumer protection regulations, including regulations governing credit and leasing transactions. Handles complaints against state member banks of the Federal Reserve System. Free copies of the consumer regulations and related publications are available upon request.

Federal Trade Commission
CRC-240
Washington, DC 20580
(877) 382-4357
www.ftc.gov

Provides publications on leasing cars, car financing scams, octane ratings, vehicle repossession, credit, and auto service contracts. Most are free; write for publications list.

Massachusetts Division of Insurance
One South Station
Boston, MA 02110-2208
(617) 521-7777
www.state.ma.us/doi/Consumer/css_auto_qa.html

Regulates all aspects of the insurance business. Provides information and assistance on insurance related problems.

National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA)
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
(888) 327-4236
www.nhtsa.dot.gov

Maintains a hotline for reporting or obtaining information on auto safety problems. Reports on recalls and service bulletins. Provides free guides on: tire grading; auto crash results; fuel economy; odometer laws; and printouts detailing other people’s problems with the same make and model vehicle.

Small Claims Advisory Service
Phillips Brook House
Harvard Yard
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 497-5690
www.hcs.harvard.edu/~scas

Offers advice on procedural questions concerning small claims court issues.

U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Inquiry and Referral Service
Box 3048
Merrifield, VA 22116
1-800-523-2929
www.fueleconomy.gov

Provides free gas mileage guide, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks.