Most professionals are licensed by the State Department Of Commerce. This is not the same as your Chamber Of Commerce, Local Area Business Of Commerce, or Better Business Bureau. These agencies are run by private individuals for profit, whereas your State Department Of Commerce regulates activities of licensed professionals.

For example, The Better Business Bureau is a private company. It has no connection with the state or federal government. Although they would like you to believe so. The agency operates in the same way as a credit reporting agency. The Better Business Bureau keeps track of businesses that are members of the organization. A business that is not a member of the BBB is no less credible than one that is. The same way that if a business is not listed in your local yellow page phone book, it doesn't mean that that business is not in business.

Credit Reporting Agencies keep track of payment history, driving record, and judgements of consumers (like you) that are members of their computer database. You are placed into the database when you apply for credit, get a loan, or conduct business with a company that reports you to the bureau. If you had never applied for a credit card, student loan, or home loan, you most likely would not have a credit file at the credit bureau.

As you will learn inside, in this country, we have three main credit bureaus that keep track of consumers. None of them owned or operated by government agencies. THEY, HOWEVER, ARE REGULATED BY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. A government agency.

Have you ever wondered if that real estate agent is who he says he is? Is that insurance salesman legitimate and licensed by the state? To verify whether an individual or business is licensed by the State, pick up the phone and call your department of commerce. NOT THE YELLOW PAGE. NOT THE WHITE PAGE. NOT THE BBB. NOT HIS BOSS.

Each year, thousands of consumers get taken advantage of by unscrupulous insurance salesmen, accountants, and real estate agents. With a little knowledge, these people could have called and verified their licenses.

To quickly resolve disputes, the smart consumer would do the following in order:

• Settle matters with the licensed professional
• Talk to the manager and/or owner
• Inform the owner or manager that you will file a complaint with the State Department Of Commerce.

Licensed professionals DO NOT want to lose their licenses to conduct business. If you feel that you have been cheated, lied to, or mislead by a licensed professional, don't waste your time screaming at your opponent. Inform the professional of your pending action, and in almost every case, you will receive immediate cooperation.

Licensed professionals not only fear losing their licenses to conduct business, but of criminal and fraud charges by the agency.