Attorney Generaloffice outlines consumer-protection work, complaint process to House committee

Officials from the Georgia Attorney Generaloffice described the work of their Consumer Protection Division and the complaint process to the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee during a committee-day briefing.

Sean Conroy, communications and outreach coordinator for the Attorney GeneralofficeConsumer Protection Division, said the office enforces the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act and receives roughly "26 to 30,000 complaints a year." He said the division evaluates complaints for public-interest factors such as whether "a vast number of consumers [are] being impacted" or whether a "vulnerable population" is involved.

Conroy described the divisioncall center and web intake, saying most complaints now arrive online at consumer.GA.gov. "We have a web form that asks questions and helps guide the consumer," he said, and added the division asks consumers for supporting documents such as contracts or advertisements to determine whether a matter is an isolated dispute or a pattern that warrants enforcement or education.

Jordan Watson, director of policy and external affairs for the Attorney Generaloffice, described enforcement options and penalties under the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act, including fines and civil suits. Conroy and Watson gave examples of enforcement: a stem-cell business settlement that provided refunds to roughly 500 consumers, and a description of the divisionrole in enforcing GeorgiaLemon Law protections for new vehicles.

The officials also stressed consumer education. Conroy pointed committee members to two downloadable guides: a Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for older adults and a Cybersecurity in Georgia guide for small nonprofits and places of worship. He also noted the office issues consumer alerts for new scams and said the office pushed warnings about recent PeachPass text-message scams on social media.

During questions, Representative Rees asked whether callers can remain anonymous and what the intake experience looks like. Conroy said the call center team collects information and often asks callers to submit contracts or other documents; intake steers staff to determine whether the complaint merits mediation, administrative action or litigation.

Conroy said the division has roughly 50 staff, including attorneys and investigators, and encouraged members to use the officematerials in newsletters and constituent communications. He closed by advising constituents to start with consumer.GA.gov or the "Ask Consumer" web resources.

The committee did not take formal action on the briefing.

Ending: Committee members thanked the Attorney Generaloffice for the presentation and said the information would help legislative work and constituent referrals.