Consumer

Credit card offers are everywhere. Who hasn’t received a “pre-approved” credit card solicitation in the mail, or been bombarded with advertisements offering credit cards with  perks such as low introductory rates, no annual fee, membership rewards or “cash back” for using the card? Here's what you need to know before you choose a credit card.

Are you often annoyed by an unwanted knock on your door by someone trying to sell you a product or service?  Do they ring your doorbell at inconvenient times? There is something you can do about it!

Are you a homeowner? Make sure you find out if you qualify for the state's newest tax rebate program, Middle Class Star.

Helping people make wise choices is just part of what the Department of Consumer Protection  does. The department fights hard to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers. Check out our news releases for our latest consumer alerts. And go to our latest survey of gas prices.    

Using toothpaste you bought from a "discount" or "dollar" store?  Be sure it is not imported from China.  The Department recently checked many of the county's "discount" stores to insure that contaminated toothpaste from China was pulled from shelves.  The FDA warned consumers that the toothpaste contained a dangerous chemical called diethylene glycol (DEG).  

As part of its ongoing enforcement program, the county departments of Consumer Protection and Public Safety recently conducted a sting of home improvement contractors. The effort netted 16 unlicensed home improvement contractors. The message from the Consumer Department: Find out if your home improvement contractor is licensed.

In 2006 the department recovered over $717,000 for consumers, an increase of 53 percent over the prior year. Complaints about home improvement and repairs, gas stations, and small retailers were atop the list of nearly 1,500 complaints received by the county. Next on the Top 10 list were problems with automobile sales and service, food stores, and professional services.

If you are thinking of buying an inflatable swimming pool, be aware of safety issues. If you have a built in swimming pool, you might want to get a pool alarm. These are among the points the county is emphasizing in its new swimming safety campaign. But the most important thing is to make sure you watch your kids when they swim. 

In this section, you can learn about the latest consumer scams, and how to avoid them, read the latest recall and product safety news from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, find out how to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft, or even about the lowest prices for gasoline, plus how to file a consumer complaint. Go to our A-Z listing as well.