The Seattle Times: Consumer Guide

To find out if your refund has been processed, you'll need your Social Security number, filing status and the amount of return due.
800-829-4477
www.irs.gov/individuals/index.html

AARP Tax-Aide
Helps older people complete tax returns. Tax-Aide is administered through the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the IRS. Call for locations and details; best to phone beginning the first week in February. The Web site has information on the sale of homes, pension questions, IRA distributions, credits and other topics.
888-227-7669
www.aarp.org/taxaide

Having problems with the Internal Revenue Service?
The Tax Payer Advocate Service is an independent IRS program for individuals and businesses. Part of its mission is to identify systemic problems and make legislative proposals. For the nearest advocate to file an application or for more information:
877-777-4778
www.irs.gov/advocate/index.html

Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
Offers free legal assistance for taxpayers in Western Washington through the University of Washington's School of Law.
206-685-6805
www.law.washington.edu/Clinics/taxpayer.html

Sales taxes
The state Department of Revenue Information Center can help you figure whether a store or restaurant charged sales tax incorrectly.
800-647-7706
www.dor.wa.gov

Property taxes
In King County, contact the assessor's office. Obtain forms online for appeals and various exemptions, or write Assessor, King County Administration Building.
500 Fourth Ave., Suite ADM-AS-0708, Seattle, WA 98104
206-296-7300; fax 206-296-5107
www.metrokc.gov/assessor

Property Tax Advisor Office
Offers advice on property-tax matters, including appeals, and is a division of the King County Office of Citizen Complaints-Ombudsman. It provides independent assistance with state and county tax laws and assessment practices.
206-296-5202 or toll-free 800-325-6165, ext. 6-5205
www.metrokc.gov/taxadvisor/

In Snohomish County
Contact the Snohomish County Assessor if you have questions regarding property values prior to filing an appeal or for information on senior-citizen or disabled-person exemptions. Check the Web for their brochure, "Homeowner's Guide to Property Taxes."
3000 Rockefeller Ave., MS-510, Everett, WA 98201
425-388-3433 or 800-562-4367, ext. 3153. TTY 425-388-3700
www.co.snohomish.wa.us/assessor

Taxis

Index

Weights and Measures Division
Administers the City of Seattle Taxi Inspection program. Call their hotline if you've had problems.
206-296-TAXI
www.cityofseattle.net/consumeraffairs

Telephones and cellphones

Index

For nuisance calls from telemarketers
Contact the Federal Trade Commission to be added to the National Do Not Call Registry. You may register up to three phone numbers at a time, including your cellphone. Registering your phone number is meant to prevent telemarketers from calling you for five years, but will not prevent political or charitable solicitations.
888-382-1222
www.donotcall.gov

For problems such as billing and service issues
Contact the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission, which regulates 22 local phone companies, approximately 410 long-distance carriers, and prepaid phone cards. Be sure to list the phone numbers involved in the dispute as well as your name, address, daytime phone number, companies involved, and all names and contact numbers for people you've spoken to. Include a copy of the disputed bill as well.
WUTC, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250
360-664-1160 or 800-562-6150; TDD access: 800-210-5963. For problems with pay phones, call 888-333-WUTC.
www.wutc.wa.gov

For problems with a cellphone provider
Try resolving it with the company first. If that doesn't work, write to the state Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division.
900 Fourth Ave. Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98164-1012
800-551-4636
www.atg.wa.gov/consumer/wireless/index.shtml

For poor phone service in your area
The Federal Communications Commission can assist you. Write FCC, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Complaints.
445 12th Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20554
888-CALL-FCC (888-225-5322) voice or 888-TELL- FCC (888-835-5322) TTY fccinfo@fcc.gov

Slamming/cramming
If you have trouble with "slamming" (your long-distance service changes without your permission) or "cramming" (unordered services and products show up on your phone bill):
FCC, 445 12th St. S.W., Washington, DC 20554
888-CALL-FCC (888-225-5322)
www.fcc.gov
Also file a complaint with the state WUTC:
800-562-6150
www.wutc.wa.gov

Advertising
For complaints about unauthorized charges on 900 lines, long-distance advertising and not receiving advertised services, contact the Federal Trade Commission.
FTC Consumer Response Center, Room 240, Washington, DC 20580
Toll-free 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
www.ftc.gov

Or try the state Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division:
900 Fourth Ave. Suite 2000, Seattle, WA. 98164-1012
206-464-6684 or 800-551-4636
www.atg.wa.gov

Traffic

Index

Does that traffic light seem to take longer than it should to change? Caught in a huge backup? To report a malfunctioning signal in Seattle, contact the Department of Transportation.
206-386-1206

For trouble on state routes and freeway on-ramps contact the Washington State Department of Transportation.
206-440-4490
www.wsdot.wa.gov

Traffic information
Wondering how bad the traffic is on Interstate 5 or elsewhere before you get behind the wheel? Dial the state Department of Transportation's free 511 Travel Information System. Or check these state Department of Transportation Web sites.
511, or 206-368-HIWY (206-368-4499)
www.wsdot.wa.gov/PugetSoundtraffic or www.smarttrek.org

Travel

Index

Travel agencies are defined by the state as "a person, firm, or corporation, both inside and outside the state of Washington, who transacts business with Washington consumers for travel services." Check with the state Department of Licensing to see if a company is registered or to file a complaint if you experience problems. Write to Department of Licensing, Sellers of Travel Licensing Division:
P.O. Box 9026, Olympia, WA 98507-9026
360-664-6634
www.dol.wa.gov/plss/sotfront.htm

Air travel
Copies of complaints about air travel should be sent to the Federal Aviation Administration Consumer Hotline, AOA-20:
800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591
faa.gov/Passengers/consumerhotline.cfm

You can also try the federal DOT's FAA Consumer Hotline.
800-322-7873

Travel security issues: To report a complaint or concern about security issues in the airport or on flights, phone the Transportation Security Administration. Sign up to receive TSA security alerts by e-mail.
866-289-9673
www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=1

Ships
The Centers for Disease Control does unannounced inspections twice a year on any cruise ship that carries 13 or more passengers, has an international itinerary and calls on U.S. ports. You can check results of these inspections online under "Cruise Ships" and "CDC Vessel Sanitation Program."
www.cdc.gov/travel/cruiships.htm

To file a complaint about illness on board a cruise ship, contact the Vessel Sanitation Program, Centers for Disease Control:
4770 Buford Highway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
800-323-2132
vsp@cdc.gov

For more general travel information
Try the CDC's international-travelers' health hotline.
877-FYI-TRIP toll free (877-394-8747)
www.cdc.gov/travel/

Marketplace

Jobs	Autos	Shopping

Homes	Rentals	Post an ad