In an effort to process complaints more efficiently, it now funds a dedicated unit called the Centre for Safe Living, which is operated by two NAM contractors.
There were reports of banks hiring up to 6,000 workers to process complaints.
Finally, there's the precinct's Compstat sergeant, who was blamed for failing to process complaint reports from the Port Authority police at JFK airport, which is in the 113th precinct's jurisdiction.
The Better Business Bureau processed 28,000 complaints about them last year, the second-most for any trade, behind only the cellphone industry.
But all these are process complaints, and process complaints don't normally motivate people — except, in Steele's words, when voters feel "put-upon," "suppressed".
Norm Magnuson, a spokesman for the Consumer Data Industry Association, which represents the major reporting agencies, defended the system, saying it handles huge volumes of information and processes complaints efficiently.
At least two new Web entrepreneurs will process consumer complaints for a fee and seek compensation for their clients.
Mr. Linick and his staff found that during the period covered by the report, the agency assigned only two employees to process consumer complaints about Fannie and Freddie.
The DOT will also change how it processes customer complaints.
He said police will process the complaints, but will set aside the racial and religious discrimination that sets them apart from other assault or harassment incidents.
