The Consumer Protection Unit reviews and evaluates complaints received by the public or other agencies to determine whether to prosecute a business for unlawful business practices. This unit handles both criminal filings and civil action enforcement. The District Attorney prosecutes actions involving fraudulent, deceptive and illegal business activity on behalf of the general public. Enforcement actions typically seek a public remedy, such as a court order to stop the business practice, to pay penalties and, possibly, restitution. The District Attorney does not represent individual parties.
Examples of complaints reviewed and/or investigated by this unit involve fraud and schemes in the areas of: telemarketing, mail solicitation, charity fraud, false sweepstakes, retail false advertising, drug/healthcare claims, travel agencies, and schemes targeting senior citizens or immigrant communities.