jazziesplace.org

(In honor of a woman who always knew the number)

Growing up, my grandmother didn’t just listen to problems—she listened with a plan.

If a company was acting funny, if something felt unsafe, if someone wasn’t being treated fairly, she already knew what time it was. And if things didn’t get fixed, she would say it plainly:

“I’ll call the Attorney General.”

Sometimes that alone worked. Other times, she actually meant it.

She understood something many people don’t: systems only work when people use them. The agencies we put into power exist to protect the public—but only if we know when and how to reach them.

This post is about honoring that knowledge and passing it on.

Self-Advocacy Is Not “Doing Too Much”

Calling an agency, filing a complaint, or asking for accountability is not being dramatic. It is using the tools that already exist for your protection and your community’s well-being.

Below is a practical guide—organized by sector, situation, and who to call—to help you know when it is time to speak up.

Consumer Protection & Scams

Call when:

• You have been scammed or defrauded
• A business is misleading, deceptive, or refusing refunds unfairly
• You experience identity theft
• Online offers or advertisements feel predatory

Who to call:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)Handles fraud, scams, identity theft, and deceptive business practices.

Call when issues show a pattern, not just a one-time inconvenience.

Food, Medicine & Product Safety

Call when:

• Food causes illness
• Medication causes unexpected harm
• Medical devices malfunction
• Products appear unsafe or improperly labeled

Who to call:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Oversees food safety, medications, medical devices, and consumer health products.

If it affects health or safety, report it.

Legal, Civil Rights & Business Accountability

Call when:

• A landlord violates housing laws
• A business repeatedly breaks consumer laws
• You experience discrimination
• A company ignores valid complaints

Who to call:

• Your State Attorney General’s OfficeEnforces state laws, protects consumers, and investigates unfair practices.

This was the call my grandmother referenced most—and she was rarely bluffing.

Financial Abuse, Debt & Credit Issues

Call when:

• Debt collectors harass or threaten you
• Credit reports contain unresolved errors
• You are targeted by predatory lenders
• Financial institutions act unfairly

Who to call:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)Protects consumers dealing with banks, lenders, debt collectors, and credit agencies.

Financial harm deserves accountability, not silence.

Housing, Utilities & Living Conditions

Call when:

• Housing conditions are unsafe
• Utilities are wrongfully shut off
• Landlords refuse necessary repairs
• Evictions violate local or state law

Who to call:

• Local housing authority or code enforcement
• Legal aid organizations
• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for fair housing violations

Housing stability is not optional.

How to Advocate Effectively

My grandmother did not just call. She called prepared.

Before reaching out:

1. Write down dates, names, and details
2. Save emails, receipts, and screenshots
3. Be calm, factual, and clear
4. Escalate only when necessary

You are not asking for favors. You are asking for accountability.

Why This Matters for Community

When one person speaks up, patterns are exposed.

When patterns are exposed, systems change.

Self-advocacy is not only personal. It protects children, elders, families, and future generations.

This knowledge is part of my grandmother’s legacy. She believed people deserved to understand the systems shaping their lives—and to use them.

Sometimes you really should call the Attorney General.