State Departments United to Recognize Consumer Protection Week

Published: December 20, 2024

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), and the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) came together for Consumer Protection Week to elevate awareness of consumer resources available to Californians the week of December 9 - 13, 2024.

The departments shared a message with consumers during Consumer Protection Week: Discover Your Power. This trio of state departments showcased the many empowering tools and resources available to consumers across the professional licensing, consumer services, real estate, and financial sectors. Knowledge is power and arming consumers with information can prepare them to make decisions and take actions to protect their money, peace of mind, and safety.

"Protecting consumers is our number one priority. Every day, more than 3,000 dedicated DCA employees work hard to carry out that mission," said DCA Director Kimberly Kirchmeyer. "Our goal is to empower as many Californians as possible so they have the information they need when doing business or seeking services. We are grateful for the partnership with DRE and DFPI and this special opportunity to come together and promote our shared mission."

"The DFPI works every day to promote fair and honest business practices in the financial services marketplace," said DFPI Commissioner Clothilde Hewlett. "Our highest priority is protecting consumers and ensuring they trust and have confidence in the broad range financial services, products, and professionals operating in our state. We are grateful for the collaboration with the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Real Estate this week and every week on behalf of California consumers."

"We are proud to partner with DCA and DFPI on this week, as it serves as an opportunity to together help empower consumers with greater knowledge and reaffirm our commitment to best serving the people of our state," said DRE Commissioner Chika Sunquist. "At the Department of Real Estate, our primary mission is protecting the interests of the people of California as it relates to real estate matters and transactions. Whether you are purchasing a home or are a tenant, we want consumers to have the resources they need to make informed decisions and protect themselves in real estate transactions."

On December 11, DCA, DFPI, and DRE hosted a joint webinar in English and Spanish to connect directly with consumers and highlight consumer protection resources.



Consumer Resources

California Department of Consumer Affairs

  • License Lookup: DCA consists of 36 boards and bureaus that issue 3.4 million licenses in 280 license types. A license means the person or company has met state standards to practice within their profession. DCA urges consumers to always verify the license. Use this online search tool to verify a license issued by DCA, such as a barber, accountant, architect, contractor, and many more. Each license record will reflect its status and disciplinary history such as a suspension or revocation.

  • Consumer Information Center: DCA's Consumer Information Center helps consumers every day verify a license, request consumer publications, submit a complaint, and more. Assistance is available in hundreds of languages and is just a phone call away. Consumers can reach DCA at (800) 952-5210, Monday through Friday, during regular business hours.

  • Consumer Guide: A "Get to Know the California Department of Consumer Affairs" consumer resource is available in seven languages:

    (English) (Spanish)     (Vietnamese)     (Tagalog)     (Korean)     (Simplified Chinese)     (Traditional Chinese)

For more information and resources, visit www.dca.ca.gov.


Department of Financial Protection and Innovation

  • Licensee Lookup: The DFPI protects consumers and supports a healthy and trusted financial marketplace in California. Visit the DFPI website to search financial products, services and providers to ensure to learn whether they are licensed in California or have been subject to enforcement actions.

  • Submit a Complaint: Submit a complaint if you believe a financial institution or financial service provider has violated the law or acted improperly, or if you believe a company or person is conducting unlicensed or unregistered financial service activity that falls within the DFPI's jurisdiction.

Visit DFPI's Consumers webpage for a full list of Consumer resources and information: dfpi.ca.gov/consumers.


Department of Real Estate

Visit DRE's Consumers webpage for a full list of Consumer resources and information: https://www.dre.ca.gov/consumers/.




 
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