One of the most important consumer protections and resources in the American market are the state and local consumer agencies. They provide advice to individuals, mediate complaints, educate the public, and advocate for better consumer protections. They bring civil or criminal actions to stop abusive practices, recover funds for consumers, and investigate violations for prosecution by other agencies. Some license certain professions, operate home improvement guaranty funds, run new car lemon arbitration programs, or check the accuracy of weights and measures. In disasters, these agencies are often part of the response team, providing information about how to obtain needed services and avoid the consumer rip-offs that regularly surface after a disaster. In short, these are the agencies consumers turn to in their communities when they need help. As such, they receive thousands of consumer complaints each year.