Citizen Guides
Knowing your rights is not the same as knowing how to use them. These guides close that gap. Each one walks you through a specific task step by step, from filing a public records request to locking down your personal data, in plain language with the tools you need linked along the way.
No legal background required. The goal is to make the process feel doable rather than intimidating. Select a guide below to get started.
breach response
consumer protection
CFPB Complaint Filing: Financial Services Recourse
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints about banks, credit cards, mortgages, debt collection, credit reporting, and other consumer financial products. Unlike the FTC, the CFPB forwards complaints to companies and tracks responses. This makes CFPB complaints particularly effective for individual resolution. Companies typically respond within 15 days. This guide explains effective complaint filing.
Read guide →FTC Complaint Filing: Get Your Voice Heard
The Federal Trade Commission accepts consumer complaints about fraud, identity theft, deceptive business practices, and other consumer issues. While the FTC does not resolve individual complaints, complaint data drives enforcement actions and policy changes. This guide explains how to file effective complaints and what to expect.
Read guide →dsar guides
foia guides
identity protection
Credit Freeze: Complete Setup Guide for All Three Bureaus
Credit freezes prevent new accounts from being opened in your name without your authorization. Federal law requires all three major credit bureaus to provide free credit freezes and unfreezes. Placing freezes at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion is the most effective protection against identity theft. This guide provides direct links and procedures for each bureau.
Read guide →Identity Theft Recovery: Your Complete Action Plan
Identity theft requires immediate and systematic response to limit damage. The FTC IdentityTheft.gov site provides personalized recovery plans. Steps include placing fraud alerts and credit freezes, filing FTC reports, contacting affected institutions, and disputing fraudulent accounts. Recovery typically takes 6 months to several years depending on extent. This guide provides the complete action plan from discovery through resolution.
Read guide →privacy setup
whistleblower protection
Federal Whistleblower Protection Laws: Your Complete Rights Guide
Federal law provides multiple overlapping protections for whistleblowers who report fraud, safety violations, and other misconduct. This guide covers the major whistleblower protection statutes, the types of disclosures protected, available remedies including financial awards, the procedures for filing retaliation complaints, and practical considerations for anyone contemplating whistleblowing.
Read guide →IRS Whistleblower Program: Tax Fraud Tip Guide
The IRS whistleblower program pays awards of 15 to 30 percent of additional taxes collected based on whistleblower information. Mandatory awards apply when the disputed amount exceeds $2 million or when alleged offenders have annual income over $200,000. The program has paid over $1.2 billion since 2007 including the famous $104 million Bradley Birkenfeld UBS award. This guide covers eligibility, filing, and the long award process.
Read guide →SEC Whistleblower Awards: Recent Cases and Trends
The SEC whistleblower program has paid over $2 billion in awards since 2011. Recent awards include record individual payouts exceeding $279 million and increased average award amounts. This tracker covers recent significant cases, trends in award sizes, types of violations leading to awards, and what these patterns reveal about effective whistleblower disclosures.
Read guide →Make your voice heard
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