Consumer Protection

The Consumer Protection Unit handles complaints from Shasta County citizens who allege that a business violated consumer protection laws. Our investigator works with an assigned prosecutor to seek civil or criminal penalties if a violation is found.

Examples of Criminal Consumer Fraud include:

• False Advertising
• Unlicensed Professionals
• Fraudulent contractors and other professional services
• Schemes targeting seniors, and a variety of other unlawful conduct that harm consumers

Examples of Civil Consumer Fraud include:

• False advertising
• Misleading drug/healthcare claims
• Unlicensed professionals
• Retail overcharging at the register, and many other types of cases involving unfair business practices

If you feel you may have been the victim of, or have information related to misrepresentations or deceptive practices by a business, please download and submit a Consumer Complaint Form below. We will review your complaint and may investigate. Some matters may involve problems that are more appropriately handled by another state or federal agency that has specific jurisdiction relating to the particular problem experienced by the consumer. In these cases, the Consumer Protection team will specifically refer the consumer to the appropriate local, state or federal agency.

Please be advised, we are prohibited by law from giving you legal advice, legal opinions, or acting as your private attorney. If you have suffered a monetary loss, you may want to contact a private attorney to discuss your legal rights and remedies.

For more information, visit the State of California DCA website.