This site allows you to request a free credit file disclosure (commonly called a credit report) once every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Information and resources around the things that matter in our lives: money, health, jobs, school and family.

-- Offering classes in ESL, computers/office skills, citizenship, parent education, aircraft maintenance, medical assisting, pharmacy technician, foreign language, health and fitness, and the arts.

-- Job Training: train for a new career; find a job; earn a G.E.D.; learn English

-- Job Search Workshops; Career Advisor Appointments; Resume Critiques; Job Listings; Internet Access; EDD Information; CalJobs Employment Database; Career Resource Library

-- Free computer office skills classes! Access 2000, Accounting, Computer Basics, Dreamweaver MX, Excel 2000, Fireworks MX, Flash MX, Keyboarding, PowerPoint 2000, Quickbooks, Word 2000 and more. (408-423-3506)

-- Career training in: Childcare Careers, Medical Field Careers, Accounting Clerk, Administrative Assistant and High Tech Careers. (408-423-3500)

-- Get help planning your job search or career path. Call for an appointment with a counselor for advice about your resume, job interview, training programs or making career decisions. (408-423-3540)

Financial Information

What can you do if you are having trouble paying your bills?

You could contact your creditors and ask for more time to make payments or to lower your interest rate. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
You might consider calling a credit and debt-counseling agency. If you do, shop for one that you believe gives good advice and beware for too-good-to be true TV offers. Consumer Credit Counseling Service/Credit Counselors of California, is a reputable network of non-profit agencies partially funded by creditors and HUD. They can help you work out plans with your creditors. The office closest to Palo Alto is located at 1265 Bascom Ave. in San Jose. Call 1-877-901-2227 for more information.

What can you do if bill collectors are hounding you?

The law does lay down some boundaries for bill collectors. With debts involving car loans, medical care or charge accounts, collectors cannot contact you at work or contact someone other than you regarding the debt. They can’t contact you before 8 am or after 9 pm. They must identify themselves when they call you. For information or to file a complaint call: 1-800-952-5210 or go to www.dca.ca.gov

How can you avoid being solicited by telemarketing callers and credit cards mail offers?

You can ask telemarketing callers to put you on their “do not call” list. If they keep calling you, report them to the FTC. To remove your name and numbers from telephone and mailing lists:

Call 1-888-382-1222 or visit www.donotcall.gov

To stop receiving credit card offers in the mail call:
1-888-5- OPTOUT

You can also write to the Direct Marketing Association
to remove your name from mailing lists:
DMA Mail Preference Services
Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512

How can you periodically check your credit report for errors and fraud?

It is a good idea to keep an eye on your credit report to check for errors and identity theft. California residents are entitled to a free credit report each year from each of the major credit reporting agencies—Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com
It is fast and easy!

Legal Resources

• Palo Alto Mediation Program
650-856-4062
If you are struggling with a problem or dispute that involves a neighbor, employer, co-worker or local business, call for FREE services. You may be able to resolve your dispute without resorting to a trip to court. A discussion is facilitated by a trained, neutral mediator who encourages both parties to discuss their concerns and consider options for resolution.

• Stanford Community Law Clinic
650-475-0560 located at 2117-A University Ave., East Palo Alto
The Stanford Community Law Clinic represents clients in a variety of areas of civil law including housing matters, government benefits advocacy, worker’s rights, guardianships and consumer issues. Clients are able to meet with a law student under supervision of an attorney.

• Community Legal Services
650-326-6440 located at 2117-B University Ave. East Palo Alto
Community Legal Services provides free legal services to low-income people in the areas of housing and immigration through advice clinic, direct services and representation. It is also home to the Volunteer Attorney program and the Juvenile Justice clinic, which provide legal services in a broad range of practice areas by engaging the assistance of volunteer law students and pro bono attorneys.

• Bay Area Legal Aid- Santa Clara County
2 W. Santa Clara St. 8th Fl., San Jose, 408-283-3700
Bay Area Legal Aid is the largest provider of free civil legal services in the Bay Area. They provide high quality legal assistance to low-income people in the areas of housing, public benefits, health access and domestic violence.

• The Pro Bono Project
480 N. First St. San Jose, 408-998-5298
Services of the Pro Bono Project include: the Family Law Project handling divorces, child custody and domestic violence cases; the Consumer Program providing representation on a wide variety of consumer cases including those who may be considering bankruptcy.

• Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center
1030 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
Phone: 408/ 288-7030
With the support of Santa Clara University School of Law, the Community Law Center provides bro bono legal representation to low income individuals in the areas of immigration, small business, consumer and workers rights, and helps low income individual understand and enforce their rights.

• Asian Law Alliance
184 E. Jackson Street
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408/ 287-9710
ALA programs are designed to make legal services accessible to Asian/ Pacific Islanders and low-income people. Services are provided by staff attorney, support staff and volunteers who are multilingual in various Asian languages in the areas of housing, public benefits, employment, immigration, domestic violence and civil rights.

• The Palo Alto Bar Association has a Lawyer Referral Service. Call 650-326-8322.
The Santa Clara County Bar Association also has a Lawyer Referral Service. Call (408) 971-6822 Or, visit their website at: www.sccba.com

-- This is a non-profit public service. They may charge you a small administrative fee to connect you with a lawyer. You can pay with a credit card or mail them a money order.
When you call, they will ask you about your problem. Then, they will set up an appointment for you with a qualified lawyer, at a time that is convenient for you. They can usually get you an appointment within 24 hours of your call. Your first 30 minutes with the lawyer are free. You don’t have to use that lawyer for your case. And, it’s possible the lawyer can help you resolve your case during your 30-minute consultation.
If you need more help, you can negotiate the fees and payment during your consultation.

• If you meet income eligibility requirements, the court can refer you to a lawyer on the Modest Means Panel who will charge you reduced fees.
The Modest Means Panel has lawyers who can help you with these kinds of cases:
• Bankruptcy, Consumer, Criminal, Family, Immigration, Juvenile, Landlord/Tenant
For more information, call (408) 971-6822, Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Or, visit their website at: www.sccba.com

• If you are accused of a crime and cannot afford an attorney, ask the Public Defender's Office to refer you when you make your first court appearance. For more information, call the Public Defender's Office in Santa Clara County at: (408) 299-7700.

• You may be able to file court cases on your own. Santa Clara County Court has a Self-Service Center that gives information on how to file cases, how to appeal, what forms you need, etc. www.sccselfservice.org located at Notre Dame Courthouse, 99 Notre Dame, San Jose. Open Monday-Friday 8:30-4pm. Clerk’s office 408/ 882-2900.