Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs: Office of Consumer Protection
DC Home Mayor Fenty DC Guide Residents Business Visitors DC Government Kids

Consumer & Regulatory Affairs

DCRA HOME
DCRA HOME
DCRA HOME
DCRA HOME
SERVICES
About DCRA
SERVICES
SERVICES
INFORMATION
SERVICES
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
INFORMATION
ONLINE SERVICE
   REQUESTS

ONLINE SERVICE
   REQUESTS

ONLINE SERVICE
   REQUESTS

ONLINE SERVICE
   REQUESTS

About DCRA
How to Reach Us
Ask the Director
FOIA Requests
News Room
Helpful Links
Site Map
Building Permits
Consumer Protection
Corporate Registration
Elevator Safety & Regulation
Homeowners Center
Inspections &
Enforcement

Licenses
Office of the Surveyor
Residential Inspections
Street Vending
Vacant Properties
Weights & Measures
Zoning Requirements
Agency Calendar &
  Outreach

Board for the Condemnation
  of Insanitary Buildings

Building Code Advisory
Committee

Career Opportunities
Construction Code Coordinating Board
Expired Business
License Information

Fireworks Sales Permit
and License

Multi-Door Dispute Resolution
 Photo Gallery
Proposed 2008
DC Construction Code

Publications
Rooming Houses
Service Hours
Outdoor Advertising Signs
Used Car Lots and Enforcement Photo Gallery
Director's Biography
Director's Letter
Basic Business License
Business Resource Center
Building/Land Regulations
Building Plan Status
Compliance/Enforcement
Corporate Registration
Inspections
Land Plats
Licensing Center
Permits
Events Calendar
Forms & Documents
Housing Violations
Residential Inspections
Adjudication
Housing Regulations
Special Signs

Office of Consumer Protection
 
Whether you’re hiring a mechanic, contracting to remodel your kitchen, trading on the Internet, or opening a bank account, it pays to know how to spot scams. According to a Federal Trade Commission survey, nearly 25 million Americans—11.2 percent of adults—are hurt by consumer fraud each year
 

DCRA’s Office of Consumer Protection helps you avoid becoming a fraud statistic and get what you pay for—how and when you pay for it. We can help you become a smarter consumer. And, if you have a consumer problem with a business in the District, we’re here for you.

 

Notice: Beginning December 1, 2008, the Office of Consumer Protection will be located in Suite 9700 at 941 North Capitol Street, NE. Customers are welcome to come in to discuss their issues without an appointment.

Consumer Protection Hotline at (202) 442-4615

 

        Visit the new: CONSUMER.DC.GOV!

 

Link to consumer.dc.gov

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General have partnered to create a one-stop shop for consumers seeking information on consumer protection. The site includes hundreds of pages of information on how you can protect yourself against fraud and how to seek the government's assistance if you have been a victim. We have live videos, a Facebook page, live Twitter feeds and a media room so you can get the latest news. Visit consumer.dc.gov today!

 

dot
 
DCRA Resources
 
Verify business licenses before hiring home improvement contractors or dropping off your car at an auto repair shops. Check for a Basic Business License for a home improvement contractor; motor vehicle sales/repair business; or housing rental.
Several agencies help consumers, including the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB), Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DC Superior Court.
See media reports of Office of Consumer Protection successes.
Become a savvy consumer: use tips from our latest alert.
                          


    * This document is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). A PDF reader is required for viewing.
    Download a PDF Reader or Learn More About PDFs.