Consumer Protection
Consumers should be safeguarded against dangerous products and deceptive business practices.
Attorneys general are often the top consumer watchdogs in their states. Their consumer protection divisions review complaints against individuals, businesses, and organizations that engage in deceptive or fraudulent behavior. Attorneys general protect consumers harmed by dishonest business practices, borrowers misled by predatory lenders, and students deceived by predatory for-profit colleges. They prosecute collection agencies that skirt state laws and banks that fail to follow state mortgage rules. Attorneys general also work together to sue social media companies for harming youth mental health and take to task businesses that fuel the youth vaping epidemic. They recover millions of dollars each year for consumers and taxpayers.
The attorney general’s role in protecting consumers has become even more important during the current housing crisis. Attorneys general safeguard the public from landlords who take advantage of renters through illegal leasing provisions, rent increases, and liens. Many attorneys general have taken action against leasing companies to protect renters against discriminatory practices.
