State and local consumer protection offices mediate complaints, conduct investigations, prosecute offenders of consumer laws, license and regulate a variety of professionals, promote strong consumer protection legislation, provide educational materials and advocate in the consumer interest. To save time, call the office before sending in a written complaint. Ask if the office handles the type of complaint you have, and if complaint forms are provided.
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) provides grants to a statewide network of Local Consumer Programs (LCPs). These LCPs work closely with the AGO's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division to provide assistance statewide. The Local Consumer Programs provide the same free consumer advocacy assistance that is provided through the Consumer Advocacy and Response Division (CARD).
About Local Consumer Programs
Local Consumer Programs are non-profit or government agencies that handle consumer complaints in their own regions of the state where their local knowledge and community involvement enable them to provide effective assistance to consumers. Many of these programs have decades of experience assisting Massachusetts consumers. Just like CARD, the LCPs provide a broad array of assistance covering most consumer issues. The most common issues handled by CARD and LCPs include:
- Defective products;
- Car sales and financing;
- Auto repossession issues;
- Debt collection;
- Mortgage servicing and loan modification;
- Home improvement contract issues;
- Business closures;
- Utility bill disputes;
- Shut off of un-regulated utilities; and
- Issues specific to immigrants, veterans, homeless and elder residents.
State Offices
- Consumer Protection and Antitrust Division, Department of the Attorney General, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108-1698, 617-727-8400 (information and referral to local consumer offices that work in conjunction with the Department of the Attorney General)
- Western Massachusetts Consumer Protection Division, Office of the Attorney General, 436 Dwight Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-784-1240
- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, 501 Boylston Street, Suite 5100, Boston, MA 02116, 617-973-8787
County Offices
- Consumer Protection Division, Northwestern District Attorney's Office, 238 Main Street, 4th Floor, Greenfield, MA 01301, 413-774-5102
- Consumer Protection Division, Northwestern District Attorney's Office, 1 Court Square, Northampton, MA 01060, 413-586-9225
- Consumer Council of Worcester County, 484 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Worcester, MA 01608-1690, 508-754-1176
City Offices
- Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, Boston City Hall, Room 817, Boston, MA 02201, 617-635-4165
- Consumer Information Center, Springfield Action Commission, P.O. Box 1449, Springfield, MA 01101, 413-263-6513 (Hamden and Hampshire Counties)