March 06, 2008
Federal Reserve Consumer Help now offers a Spanish-language version of its website
For immediate release
Federal Reserve Consumer Help, a resource center for consumers experiencing problems with a bank or other financial institution, now offers a Spanish-language version of its website. This new feature, which is part of a continuing effort to better meet the needs of Spanish-speaking consumers, will provide answers to questions and assistance with a wide range of issues relating to financial products and services and consumer protection laws.
The Federal Reserve System has a long-standing commitment to safeguarding consumer rights in financial services and has assisted more than 150,000 individuals over the past 30 years. The launch of Federal Reserve Consumer Help (FRCH) in November 2007 consolidated the intake of consumer complaints and inquiries, providing greater access and visibility, and has enabled the Federal Reserve to respond efficiently to a growing volume of requests. Thousands of consumers have turned to the Federal Reserve Consumer Help website for information for help with a specific problem.
"The success of FRCH since its launch late last year has been tremendous," said Federal Reserve Board Governor Randall S. Kroszner. "We have seen a dramatic increase in the number of consumers contacting us through our new call center and website, and now we have the capability to reach even greater numbers by providing information and assistance to Spanish-speaking consumers."
The website, FederalReserveConsumerHelp.gov, allows consumers to submit a complaint or inquiry electronically. It also provides answers to commonly asked banking questions and links to consumer protection materials and resources--many of which are in Spanish as well as in English.
Consumers can contact Federal Reserve Consumer Help through a variety of methods:
- Online: FederalReserveConsumerHelp.gov
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Toll-free: 888-851-1920 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT)
- Toll-free TTY: 877-766-8533
- Toll-free fax: 877-888-2520
- Mail: Federal Reserve Consumer Help, P.O. Box 1200, Minneapolis, MN 55480
Consumers do not have to know which regulator supervises the bank that they are concerned about in order to file a complaint or seek information. FRCH forwards any complaints or inquiries about institutions not under the Federal Reserve’s purview to the appropriate regulatory agency for response.
The Federal Reserve is responsible for ensuring that the financial institutions it supervises comply with consumer protection and fair lending laws, such as those governing checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and consumer loans including mortgages. It is also responsible for ensuring that consumers have a mechanism for identifying banking acts or practices that may require further investigation or possible regulatory action.