The Official Portal for the State of Georgia

OCA Investigators


Need Help?


 I am a new motor vehicle dealer.  Where is a copy of the new Statement of Consumer Rights that I must use on and after 1/1/09?

 How do I check the reputation of a business?

 I have a problem and need information about...

 What do I do if I want to file a complaint with your office?

 Do you have a sample complaint letter I can use to let a business know about my problem?


Consumers to receive $150 million in Wachovia Settlement


In a Dec. 11, 2008 settlement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Wachovia has agreed to pay over $150 million to more than 740,000 consumers who were allegedly the victims of inappropriate acts committed by payment processors that had relationships with Wachovia.  The consumers had given out their bank account information to telemarketers, who then drew funds from the consumers’ accounts via “remotely created checks” created by the payment processor.  Many consumers complained that they never authorized the checks or that they never received the products or services offered by the telemarketers.  The refund checks from Wachovia are being mailed to consumers by the U.S. Court Settlement Administrator. They are legitimate and should be cashed or deposited.  For more information, visit www.restitutionpayment.com.


Price Gouging Status


Thanks to consumers throughout the State, this Office received a significant number of complaints alleging gasoline price gouging.  We have begun investigating a number of gas stations.  The investigations are lengthy in process since they are paper-intensive.  Due to the volume of complaints, this agency will not be responding to consumers individually about our findings on their specific allegations.  However, we do encourage you to check back on this website periodically for updates about any business found to have violated the price gouging statute.  Postings will include consumer restitution terms, if applicable.


What's New?


  Many consumers across the State are affected when a car dealership closes.  lf your trade-in was not paid off by the dealership, what should you do?  Read our recently issued Consumer Alert for helpful information.

   Find out what the ten most dangerous toys of 2008 are according to Keenan's Kids Foundation.

   The Georgia Department of Labor warns that fraudulent checks, resembling State of Georgia unemployment benefit checks, are being mailed to citizens along with a letter which appears to award a grant to the recipient.  

   Watch out for an email alert from Capital One informing you of unauthorized account access. This is a phishing scam designed to steal your identity.

   How will the upcoming changes to television broadcasting affect your television reception?

  Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs launches new educational website to help consumers with major purchase decisions, credit and financial management. Visit www.ConsumerEd.com.

   Free foreclosure prevention counseling and information is available through the Homeownership Preservation Foundation. Call 1-888-995-HOPE or visit www.995hope.org. Consumers should also learn how to recognize and avoid foreclosure rescue scams.

  Read OCA press releases and other consumer articles for helpful information.


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Hot Topics


CONSUMER ALERTS (news, press releases, scams)

Identity Theft

Georgia's "Lemon Law"

Credit and You

E-Mail Spam

Buying a New or Used Vehicle

Do Not Call Law

Utilities 

Telephone Complaints

Building Contractors

Contract Cancellation Rights

Landlord-Tenant

Servicemembers' Debt Relief

and more

Georgia's credit freeze law


On May 13, 2008 Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law a credit freeze bill that provides Georgia consumers with the ability to place a freeze on their credit file for only $3, or a total of $9 for each of the three major credit-reporting agencies:  Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The freeze is free for senior citizens 65 and older and for victims of identity theft.   Each temporary lift – commonly called a “thaw” – to allow access to the consumer’s credit file also costs $3, and is available electronically within 15 minutes of request, keeping on-the-spot credit an option for shoppers. The legislation became effective August 1, 2008.

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