ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - The Georgia Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has officially become a part of the state's Department of Law, said Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens on Wednesday.
The state General Assembly passed a bill earlier in the year transferring control of the office to the attorney general, and Gov. Nathan Deal signed the bill into law on May 6.
“I am pleased to add a consumer protection unit to the Georgia Department of Law,” Olens said. “I will work with businesses and consumers to ensure a fair and transparent marketplace for Georgians. My goal is to protect Georgia consumers while also fostering an environment where businesses can thrive.”
The OCP is mainly responsible for protecting consumers and businesses in the state from unlawful, deceptive and unfair practices that occur in the marketplace by enforcing laws that are in effect in the state and through educating the public, Olens said.
Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act will be the main law it applies in these circumstances, which covers numerous areas in business. Some of the areas the law applies to includes consumer transactions involving the lease, sale, or rental of goods, services or property for household, family, or personal purposes, Olens said.