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Ocean County Consumer Affairs touts wins for seniors and warns of new scams
Summary
Director Ronald Heinzman told commissioners the department has helped seniors recover lost funds, secured a $40,000 fine and permanent ban for an out‑of‑state gold buyer, and continues outreach to address price‑gouging and contractor fraud.
Ronald P. Heinzman, director of the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs, briefed the Board of Commissioners on the office's work at the regular Feb. 11 meeting.
Heinzman described a series of cases that illustrate the department's focus on protecting seniors. "We had a call from a widow who paid $3,145 for a headstone and told us she was never given the work; after our intervention the monument was installed," Heinzman said. He also summarized a multi‑jurisdictional enforcement case that resulted in a consent order and $40,000 in fines against an out‑of‑state gold buyer, adding that the individual is permanently barred from doing business in Ocean County.
Heinzman spent part of his presentation explaining the county's role in enforcing the state's price‑gouging law, which is triggered by a gubernatorial State of Emergency and covers sudden increases of 10% or more. He said investigators received many calls during an unusual ice storm and have to review prior prices and suppliers' costs before determining whether conduct is illegal. "Not everything that seems unfair is illegal," Heinzman said, explaining that some temporary price increases reflect higher wholesale costs.
Commissioner Robert S. Arace read a commendation from the State Division of Consumer Affairs recognizing the county office's partnership with the state. "The office's commitment to timely investigations and outreach reflects a deep dedication to public service," Arace read into the record. Deputy Director Jennifier Bacchione and Director Frank Sadeghi also thanked the team for assisting residents who were scammed by fraudulent tech‐support and other schemes.
Why it matters: The Consumer Affairs office serves as a frontline protector for residents — particularly seniors and veterans — by mediating disputes, enforcing weights and measures laws, and working with municipal and state partners when a criminal or civil enforcement action is needed. The presentation highlighted both day‑to‑day casework (consumer complaints, contractor issues) and the county's ability to coordinate with state authorities in larger investigations.
