The goal of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is to educate the public about their consumer rights, in addition to teaching consumers how to spot scams or fraudulent attempts to deceive them for money.
The week-long campaign by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is part of an ongoing consumer protection effort. The FTC reports that 2.8 million fraud reports were received in 2020, amounting to $5.8 billion in losses for consumers.
Here in California, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) joins FTC’s national movement. DCA is comprised of 36 boards and bureaus which license and regulate more than 3.4 million licensees in more than 280 license types, including doctors, nurses, veterinarians, household moving companies, auto repair shops, dentists, engineers, and many others.
In addition, consumers across the state have various ways to access consumer resources. It doesn’t matter where: Crescent City, San Ysidro, Alturas, Barstow or downtown Sacramento. Consumers can visit DCA’s website or call DCA’s Consumer Information Center (CIC) to check the license of a professional, access information regarding a licensee’s disciplinary history, file a complaint against a licensee, or apply for a license. That’s consumer protection in your neighborhood.
DCA’s website is also where consumers can find Consumer Connection Magazine, and dozens of helpful publications, all completely free.
DCA is proactive in providing warnings about ongoing or current scams that may target licensees. Among common tips licensees should remember is DCA would never cold call asking for any personal information, like social security numbers, date of birth, or credit/debit card numbers.
Anyone looking to contact DCA is encouraged to call 800-952-5210, or to mail correspondence or complaints to the CIC at 1625 N. Market Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834.
Visit the FTC’s NCPW website for additional information on consumer protection, including consumer events being held online and in-person across the country during NPCW.
