July is Military Consumer Protection Month, an annual event which aims to educate and empower service members, veterans and their families with consumer resources to protect themselves from unscrupulous and unqualified individuals and help them make informed decisions.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs’ (DCA) is committed to consumer protection, encouraging consumers to learn about the resources that DCA provides to help them be more informed consumers. From our Get to Know DCA booklet (also available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese), here are five things you need to know about DCA.
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Get to know DCA! DCA consists of 36 boards and bureaus that issue 3.4 million licenses in 280 license types—all to protect California’s 40 million consumers. - Look for the license! A license means the person or company you are working with has met state standards to practice within their profession. Before doing business, always verify the license at DCA’s website: https://search.dca.ca.gov.
- Knowledge is power! Every board and bureau website features consumer resources that are available to you 24/7. DCA also has an online consumer resources flyer available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese providing an overview of key DCA resources and ways you can be an informed and empowered consumer.
- Participation is encouraged! DCA boards and bureaus hold regular public meetings where you can learn more about the regulatory process and make your voice heard. Meetings are often broadcast online, so check DCA’s Live Meetings page for livestream information, and view past meeting recordings on DCA’s YouTube page. You can also help be part of California’s consumer protection efforts by serving as a board or advisory committee member.
- Connect with DCA! Follow DCA and its boards and bureaus on social media, and call the Consumer Information Center for assistance in more than 200 languages, as needed.
In addition to protecting military members, DCA recognizes that U.S. military members and their families possess valuable professional and occupational skills that are highly sought by California employers and consumers. The successful transition from military to civilian life or to a military base in California from another state is heavily reliant on DCA’s efforts assisting military members and their families with obtaining professional licensure.
For more information about the benefits offered by DCA, including expedited license application processing, renewal waivers, temporary licensure for spouses or domestic partners, and federal professional license portability and state registration, visit www.dca.ca.gov/military.
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Additional Resources from the California Department of Veterans Affairs
Courtesy of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), here is a list of government agencies and the role they play in educating and empowering military consumers.
CalTAP – CalVet’s California Transition Assistance Program (CalTAP) offers free virtual webinars on financial topics throughout the year. You can see their webinar schedule online. In addition, CalTAP offers helpful resources for financial literacy and benefit protection as part of their core curriculum.
California Office of the Attorney General – The California Attorney General’s Office website is a great resource, as it is chock-full of helpful information.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section investigates and prosecutes businesses that engage in deceptive practices targeting members of the armed forces, their families, and our veterans. The office works closely with law enforcement agencies, military legal assistance attorneys, and financial counselors throughout California. You can report misconduct by a business by submitting a complaint to the office.
Federal Trade Commission – The Federal Trade Commission’s Military Consumer website is a treasure trove of information, with a wide variety of financial readiness tools. Resources include tips on avoiding scams, best practices for keeping your personal information safe and secure, and how to monitor your credit reports. You may also submit a complaint to the Commission.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Servicemember Affairs has some unique resources, including detailed information about the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and Military Lending Act. Many servicemembers and veterans may not be familiar with these two acts, so please review the material here to learn more about your rights.
If you have a case of fraud regarding consumer financial products or services, you can submit a complaint to the Bureau.
Department of Defense Military OneSource – For active duty servicemembers, the Department of Defense’s Military OneSource website has a number of financial and consumer resources. The “Protecting Your Finances” section includes a variety of tips and best practices, especially for those who are just getting started with personal finances.
