Local and state agencies
Adult Protective Services
Texas Adult Protective Services receives and investigates reports of suspected adult or elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. To make a report, call the 24-hour, toll-free hotline.
1-800-252-5400
www.dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/report_abuse.asp
Area Agency on Aging /Aging and Disability Resource Center
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission administers and supports people who are aging and people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Staff can provide information about aging and disability services and whether there are any support groups for fiduciaries or caregivers.
1-512-424-6500
hhs.texas.gov/services/aging
Texas Attorney General
The Office of the Attorney General has a Consumer Protection Section. It operates the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline.
1-800-621-0508
texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/consumer-protection
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) can help consumers with complaints against businesses.
Greater Houston and South Texas
1-713-868-9500
bbb.org/houston
info@bbbhou.org
Austin Area
Austin: 1-512-445-2911
Georgetown: 1-512-591-9131
Taylor: 1-512-691-1015
info@austin.bbb.org
Permian Basin
info@permianbasin.bbb.org
Midland: 1-432-563-1880
Waco/Centroplex
1-254-755-7772 Centroplex: 1-254-791-2222 info@centraltx.bbb.org
Corpus Christi Area
Alice: 1-361-207-7003
Corpus Christi: 1-361-852-4949
Beeville: 1-361-597-2000
Kingsville: 1-361-355-7000
Victoria: 1-361-827-7151
info@corpuschristi.bbb.org
San Antonio Area
New Braunfels: 1-830-387-7002
San Antonio: 1-210-828-9441
San Marcos: 1-512-691-4075
Laredo: 1-956-229-6957
info@sanantonio.bbb.org
Dallas and Northeast Texas 1-214-220-2000 bbb.org/dallas
info@dallas.bbb.org
Southeast Texas 1-409-835-5348 or
1-800-685-7650
bbb.org/southeast-texas
Central East Texas
Tyler: 1-903-581-5704
Longview: 1-903-758-3222
info@easttexas.bbb.org
Texas Veterans Commission
The Texas Veterans Commission is a state-appointed advocate for Texas veterans. The Commission assists veterans to secure benefits rightfully earned in exchange for service in the armed forces.
1-800-252-8387
tvc.state.tx.us
info@tvc.texas.gov
Texas Veterans Portal
The Texas Veterans Portal is a resource that compiles helpful information from many government agencies to help veterans, their families, and their survivors find the assistance, services, and benefits they need.
1-800-252-8387 or 2-1-1 (option 1) veterans.portal.texas.gov
Local Resources
Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging that connects older Americans and their caregivers with information on senior services.
1-800-677-1116
eldercare.gov
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Contact the Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman to find state and local long-term care advocates. Ombudsmen identify, investigate, and resolve complaints about long-term care.
1-800-252-2412
www.dads.state.tx.us/news_info/ombudsman
Texas Association of Mediators
Find a listing of local mediators in Texas. Mediation can help resolve disputes and may sometimes be an alternative to legal action.
txmediator.org
(click on "Member Locator" for list of Texas mediators)
Medicaid / medical assistance
Texas Medicaid Information
www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/1640
Texas Health and Human Services Commission -Your Texas Benefits
yourtexasbenefits.com
Texas Health Options
This state resource can help you understand how to find and use health insurance.
1-800-252-3439
texashealthoptions.com
ConsumerProtection@tdi.texas.gov
Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Texas
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, in the Office of the Attorney General, investigates and prosecutes abuse and fraud by healthcare providers.
Austin Field Office
1-512-371-4700
Corpus Christi Field Office
1-361-851-8440
Dallas Field Office
1-214-922-7046
El Paso Field Office
1-915-881-2100
Houston Field Office
1-713-225-0691
Lubbock Field Office
1-806-765-6367, ext. 101
McAllen Field Office
1-956-683-7095
San Antonio Field Office
1-210-653-9001
Tyler Field Office
1-903-593-4644
Police or sheriff
Find a law enforcement agency by checking your local directory.
Law Enforcement Directory
PoliceOne’s law enforcement directory is a comprehensive list of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the United States. The directory includes agency contact information, demographics (type, population served, number of officers), and features to connect with law enforcement officers in any agency.
policeone.com/law-enforcement-directory
Sheriffs’ Association of Texas
Find the local sheriff’s office.
txsheriffs.org/content/SheriffList.pdf
Federal agencies
Numerous federal agencies play a role in combatting fraud and abuse and educating consumers. Contact them for more information.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
1-855-411-CFPB
consumerfinance.gov
Do Not Call Registry
1-888-382-1222
donotcall.gov
Federal Bureau of Investigation
fbi.gov/scams-safety
Federal Trade Commission
1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357)
consumer.ftc.gov
Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force
stopfraud.gov
Postal Inspection Service
1-877-876-2455
postalinspectors.uspis.gov
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213
socialsecurity.gov/payee
Department of Veterans Affairs
1-888-407-0144
benefits.va.gov/fiduciary
Legal help
Eldercare Locator
Find local programs that provide free legal help to people over age 60 by contacting the national Eldercare Locator.
1-800-677-1116
eldercare.gov
Legal Services Corporation
Find local programs that provide free legal help to low-income people on the website of the Legal Services Corporation.
lsc.gov/find-legal-aid
State Bar of Texas
Find free legal clinics and other resources for veterans and their families who otherwise cannot afford or do not have access to the legal services they need on the website of the State Bar of Texas.
Lawyer Information Referral Service:
1-800-252-9690
Click here for information about free legal resources.
Click here for information about legal resources for veterans.
Texas Legal Services Center
Any person in Texas who is 60 years of age or older can call the Legal Hotline for Texans for free legal information. The Legal Hotline for Texans has a wide range of brochures on many different legal topics. The Legal Hotline for Texans also serves persons who are eligible for Medicare, regardless of age or income. Services can be applied for online or over the phone.
1-800-622-2520
tlsc.org
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas
This program serves counties from the Panhandle and the High Plains through the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. It has offices in Amarillo, Plainview, Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, Brownwood, San Angelo, Wichita Falls, Denton, Weatherford, Fort Worth, Dallas, Waxahachie, and McKinney.
1-888-529-5277
lanwt.org
Lone Star Legal Aid
This program serves Texas counties from the Louisiana and Arkansas border westward to some counties along I-35. It has offices in Texarkana, Tyler, Paris, Longview, Nacogdoches, Beaumont, Conroe, Houston, Galveston, Angleton, Bryan, Belton, and Waco.
1-800-733-8394
lonestarlegal.org
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
This program provides free legal services to low-income residents in 68 counties of Southwest Texas, including Bexar, Cameron, El Paso, Hidalgo, Nueces, Travis, and Williamson counties.
1-888-988-9996
trla.org
Pro Bono Program Listings in Texas
Click this link to access pro bono program listings in Texas.
Houston Volunteer Lawyers
Providing free legal aid to low-income individuals by connecting them with lawyers in the private bar who volunteer their time.
1-713-228-0735
makejusticehappen.org
Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) of Central Texas
Reduced fee program for family law matters, uncontested guardianship cases, and drafting simple wills.
austinlrs.com
Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program
Providing telephone referral of low-income individuals to volunteer attorneys who provide free legal services. Applicants must be Dallas County residents.
1-214-742-5768
dallasvolunteerattorneyprogram.org
Community Justice Program (San Antonio)
Providing free neighborhood-based legal services to individuals who may not otherwise have access to the legal system.
cjpsa.org
Fee-for-service lawyers
This is an American Bar Association-sponsored website that provides information about how to find a lawyer in each state. It also has information about legal resources available in each state, how to check whether a lawyers is licensed, and what to do if you have problems with a lawyer.
findlegalhelp.org
Accounting help
American Institute of CPAs
Find a local certified public accountant.
aicpa.org/ForThePublic/FindACPA/Pages/FindACPA.aspx