Today marks the beginning of Consumer Protection Week in Washington, an initiative led by the Attorney General's Office to highlight consumer protection efforts and educate residents on safeguarding themselves. The week will feature various in-person and virtual events designed to inform the public about fraud, identity theft, and scams.
Attorney General Nick Brown emphasized the importance of these events, stating, "There are sophisticated ways companies and individuals try to deceive and steal from Washingtonians. Our consumer protection events will give people the tools and knowledge to empower and protect themselves."
The Consumer Protection Division is funded through recoveries from businesses that have violated Washington’s Consumer Protection Act and similar laws, not by taxpayers. A portion of these recoveries supports several divisions within the Attorney General's Office, including Consumer Protection, Antitrust, Wing Luke Civil Rights, Environmental Protection, Medicaid Fraud Control, and Complex Litigation.
Recent achievements include the Consumer Resource Center returning over $10 million annually to consumers through informal dispute resolution efforts. Assistant attorneys general also handle calls and complaints leading to further consumer protection actions.
A schedule of public events for Consumer Protection Week includes:
In-person events at local libraries where representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, Secretary of State’s Office, and Department of Financial Institutions will provide information on protecting against scams:
- Monday, March 3: Puyallup Municipal Library
- Tuesday, March 4: Edmonds Library
- Friday, March 7: Des Moines Library
Virtual sessions include a Manufactured Housing Dispute Resolution Presentation available in both English and Spanish on March 3.
Hybrid events throughout the week offer opportunities for participants to learn about fraud prevention strategies:
- Tuesday, March 4: Fort Vancouver Library Series (Three Creeks)
- Wednesday, March 5: Fort Vancouver Library Series (Vancouver)
- Thursday, March 6: Fort Vancouver Regional Library (Woodland)
- Saturday, March 8: Walla Walla Library
The Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation for state agencies while directly serving residents by enforcing consumer protection laws. It also prosecutes elder abuse cases and handles Medicaid fraud across most counties in Washington. More information can be found at www.atg.wa.gov.
For media inquiries:
Email: press@atg.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 753-2727
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