Consumer Protection & Bankruptcy
The Consumer Protection Team helps low-income people who have disputes with businesses. There are many types of problems. Here are some of the things we can help with:
- Problems with buying a car or making payments
- Repossession
- Bad Auto Repairs
- Identity Theft
- Student Loans
- Harassment by Debt Collectors
- Lawsuits by Debt Collectors
- Credit Reporting Issues
- Medical Debt
- Solar Power Scams
- Problems with buying from a door to door salesman
- Foreclosure or home loan problems
- Loan Modifications
- Applications for the California Mortgage Relief Program
- Contracts negotiated in another language
- Other Problems with a Business
- Bankruptcy
Things We Generally Cannot Help With:
- Homeowner Association Disputes
- Problems with Insurance Companies (Car, Homeowners, etc.)
- Government Debts (Taxes)
- Timeshares
How To Get Help
Call to speak to our intake team, Monday through Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Call 1-877-534-2524 | TTY 1-800-735-2929
Or send an email using the contact form.
Or come in to one of our 3 office locations.
Self Help Resources
You can get court forms & rules at the California Court website. Some forms you might need:
- General Denial Form (PLD-050)
- Request to Waive Court Fees (FW-001)
- Order on Court Fee Waiver (FW-003)
- Case Management Conference Statement (CM-110)
- Claim of Exemption – For Wage Garnishment (WG-006)
- Claim of Exemption – For Bank Levy (EJ-160)
- Financial Statement for Claim of Exemption
- Declaration (MC-050)
- Exemptions from the Enforcement of Judgments (EJ-155)
NOTE: TO OPEN THESE FORMS YOU NEED ADOBE READER. DOWNLOAD ADOBE READER FOR FREE.
The Sacramento Law Library has great self-help guides that can help you fill out forms. Check the “Research Guides” on this page: Being Sued: Information for Defendants (saclaw.org)
Our Helpful Publications
Where to Get More Information
Student Loans
- Federal Direct Loan Consolidation Program – Information about your federal student loans. You can apply to consolidate these types of loans.
- Student Loan Borrower Assistance Website – General info on options for federal and private student loans. Topic include the pros and cons of consolidation, rehabilitation, settlement, cancellation, etc.
Consumer Debt
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Learn about rules governing banks, other lenders, and bill collectors. File complaints against finance lenders, bill collectors, banks and other lending companies.
- Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Website – Learn to avoid business fraud. File complaints about unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices.
Credit Reports
- By law, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of three nationwide credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) every 12 months.
- AnnualCreditReport.com is the only website set up by United States government and the three major credit reporting agencies to allow you to get your free credit report. Right now, you can get a free credit report every week until December 2022.
- To get your free credit report, go to Annual Credit Report.
- Be careful with other websites that claim to give you free credit reports. Many sites will only give you a free report if you buy other products or services. Other sites give you a free report and then bill you for services you have to cancel. The only source for the free credit report authorized by law is AnnualCreditReport.com.
Identity Theft
- Identity Theft Resource Center – Get help for ID theft. You can also call them at 888-400-5530. They are open 24/7.
- Federal Trade Commission Identify Theft Website – You can use this website to create a FTC ID Theft Affidavit. Fill it out. File it with the police.
- AnnualCreditReport.com – Get free credit reports here. You can also call 1-877-322-8228. OR you can fill out an Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
Medical Debt
- Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development: Get hospitals’ financial aid rules. Download their applications for help with paying your medical bills.
- Consumer Center for Health Education and Advocacy: (877) SD HEALTH (734-3258 (toll-free)) Consumer Center advocates can assist you. Learn about your options for healthcare. Find out how and where to get services. Find out what to do if you have a problem with your health insurance.
Auto Issues
- California Bureau of Automotive Repair can assist if you have had problems with an auto repair shop. You can file a complaint with the state at this website. The state can work with you and the repair shop. They may help you get the shop to fix your car's problem. They can help you get a refund or lower the bill.
- Department of Motor Vehicles: The DMV can assist with vehicle title problems or licensing issues.
General Resources
- National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) – Good info on consumer issues.
- California Attorney General’s Office – Info on many consumer issues. To get to the Attorney General’s “Protecting Consumers” page go to the California Attorney General’s Office.
- San Diego District Attorney – Consumer Protection – Use this site to file a complaint with the San Diego DA’s Consumer Protection Unit.
- Utility Consumer Action Network (UCAN) – UCAN can help you with utility company problems .
- 2-1-1 San Diego for Resource Referrals: Get referrals for almost any problem.
Request a Presentation
Our staff give presentations on a variety of issues to community groups, service providers, and others in low-income communities.
Volunteer to Help
We can always use volunteer assistance. Please contact our pro bono team for opportunities!