Attorney GeneralConsumer Protection staff brief House Ag & Consumer Affairs on scams, complaint process

Members of the House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs heard a presentation from the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division on the divisions responsibilities, how Georgians can file complaints and the tools the office uses to investigate scams and unfair business practices.

Sean Conroy, communications and outreach coordinator for the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection Division, told the committee that the office enforces the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act and fields roughly "26 to 30,000 complaints a year." He described the divisions call center and web intake form, and said staff triage complaints by public-interest factors such as number of consumers affected and whether the target is a vulnerable population.

"We then decide if we need to open up a case," Conroy said, noting the office can mediate complaints, seek fines of up to $2,000 per violation, and file suit when warranted. He described enhanced penalties in state law for harms to older or disabled adults.

Jordan Watson, director of policy and external affairs for the Attorney Generals Office, joined Conroy to describe the divisions consumer-education work. Watson pointed committee members to consumer.ga.gov and said the site provides specific guidance for common scenarios, including wire-transfer fraud and gift-card scams, and publishes question-and-answer summaries of legal guidance the office provides to citizens.

Conroy and Watson described past enforcement results, including a recent settlement in a stem-cell matter in which roughly 500 people are to receive refunds as part of a court order after the office concluded the providers claims were not scientifically supported.

Committee members asked about how constituents can use the offices services. Conroy said most complaints now arrive through the websites complaint form; staff ask callers to submit contracts, advertisements or other documents so lawyers and investigators can assess whether a matter is isolated or indicates a widespread problem. The division also issues consumer alerts and uses social media to notify Georgians when scams emerge, citing recent text-message scams that impersonated toll agencies.

The presentation emphasized education as a prevention tool: the office maintains a Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for older adults, developed with input from groups including AARP and law-enforcement partners, and a cybersecurity guide for small businesses, nonprofits and houses of worship.

Chair members thanked the office for the briefing and for making staff available to consult on constituent questions.