Overview
The Division of Consumer Protection is committed to addressing consumer marketplace concerns through its Consumer Assistance Unit.
The Consumer Assistance Program receives complaints of consumers, attempts to mediate such complaints where appropriate, and refers complaints to the appropriate unit of the department, or federal, state, or local agency authorized by law for appropriate action on such complaints. When applicable, the Consumer Assistance Program will refer complaints to the appropriate state, federal or local agency authorized by law to act. The Consumer Assistance Program also operates the State's Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation Program to educate and assist victims of identity theft.
Consumer Complaint Process
If a consumer has been aggrieved in the marketplace and has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own, the consumer is encouraged to file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection. The Division provides voluntary mediation, between the consumer and business, to try to resolve the dispute. When the Division receives a consumer complaint, a Consumer Advisor reviews the complaint and contacts the company to initiate mediation. If the nature of the complaint falls within another agency’s authority, the Consumer Advisor may refer the complaint to that agency directly. The Division of Consumer Protection engages in voluntary mediation. The Division does not act as a judge in the dispute and cannot force the business to engage in mediation or comply in any other way.