Consumer Protection Week

March 6-12, 2011 is National Consumer Protection Week. National Consumer Protection Week is a coordinated campaign that encourages consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and make better-informed decisions. To visit the Consumer Protection Week website visit www.ncpw.gov.

Below you will find information on how the Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) protects Washington consumers.

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How DFI Can Assist You

• Verify A License
  Before doing business with a financial institution or individual, verify that they are licensed to do business in Washington State. Search DFI's online licensee lookup tool or call us at 1.877.RING DFI (746-4334) .
• File A Complaint
  If you have a complaint against a financial institution or individual operating in Washington State, you can file a complaint with us.
• Sign Up for Consumer Alerts
  If we spot a financial scam that is targeting Washington residents, we alert the public about it by issuing a consumer alert. Sign up to have consumer alerts delivered directly to your email inbox.
• Contact A Mortgage Counselor
  If you are having trouble making your monthly mortgage payment, we can connect you to HUD certified mortgage counselors that can be of assistance to you. Call 1.877.894.HOME to speak with a counselor or visit our mortgage assistance website www.homeownership.wa.gov.
• Free Financial Education Information and Publications
  DFI offers free financial education materials and publications to Washington residents. To view our information by topic visit our financial education clearinghouse at www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/.

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Consumer Protection Education and Resources

Protect Your Investments

Before investing, always do your research. Verify the license of the individual selling the investment. Also verify that the investment is registered with the Washington Department of Financial Institutions. You can verify both of these by calling us at 1.877.RING DFI (746-4334).

• Most Common Investment Traps
  
• Investing In A Franchise? What You Need To Know (PDF)*
  
• From the FTC: Business Opportunity Scams
  

Protect Your Home

If you're having difficulty making mortgage payments, contact your lender or a certified HUD mortgage counselor right away. Beaware of deals that sound too good to be true from outside companies wanting to help save your home.

• Foreclosure Help and Information
  
• Beware of Loan Modification Services
  
• Beware of Foreclosure Rescue Scams
  
• Mortgage Fraud Prevention Tips
  
• Common Predatory Lending Tactics
  

Protect Your Money

DFI issues consumer alerts regarding the latest scams trying to part you from your hard earned money. We also have information about payday loans, deposit insurance, and identity theft.

• Consumer Alerts from DFI
• What You Need To Know About Payday Loans
• Deposit Insurance At Banks and Credit Unions
• Avoid Identity Theft
• SuspectFraud.com - Verify a Washington Business License

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Join the Conversation

Join us on our social media channels to continue the Consumer Protection Week discussion.

• On Facebook: www.facebook.com/wadfi
• Twitter:  @dficonsumers and @fined4all
• Financial Education Blog: www.finlit.blogspot.com
  
• You Tube: www.youtube.com/wadfi

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Questions? Contact Us

Our business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday.

Phone: (360) 902-8700
Toll Free: 1-877-RING DFI (746-4334)
TDD: (360) 664-8216.

Email: webguy@dfi.wa.gov

* This document is a PDF file, and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you don't already have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you may download it for free from Adobe.

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