SACRAMENTO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Seek Justice, Serve Justice, Do Justice

Consumer Unit


Frequently Asked Questions


#1) A collection agency is calling my neighbors to locate me. Can they do that? Do I have any rights?

  • Better Business Bureau
How to Deal With a Collection Agency

  • Federal Trade Commission
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Fair Debt Collection FAQs

  • California Attorney General
Collections

  • Miscellaneous
Debt Collection

2) Do I have a "cooling off" period of three days to cancel the purchase of a new or used car? Department of Consumer Affairs

  • Department of Consumer Affairs
Contract Cancellation Rights

  • Better Business Bureau
Cooling Off Rules
3) Does a store have to post its refund policy?

  • Department of Consumer Affairs
Return Policy by Retail Store (DCA) Basic Rules

  • Better Business Bureau
Refunds

4) I ordered new drapes and paid $1,000 up front. I have not received my order and the company is out of business. What do I do?

  • Department of Consumer Affairs
Going Out of Business
Tips When Store Goes Out of Business

5) I want to donate my old car to charity but how do I know they really are a legitimate charitable organization?

  • California Attorney General
Charitable Trusts and Givings
FAQs

  • Better Business Bureau
Donating Used Cars

6) I purchased a new vehicle and it seems to be in the repair shop more than in my garage. What are my options?

  • Department of Motor Vehicles
Buying a New Car

  • Federal Trade Commission
Buying a New Car

  • Better Business Bureau
Purchasing a New Car

  • Department of Motor Vehicles
New Motor Vehicle Board

  • Department of Consumer Affairs
Lemon Aid
Used Car Guide
Bureau of Automotive Repair

  • California Attorney General
Lemon Law

7) I am constantly receiving phone calls or mail telling me I have won a prize or gift. To claim it, all I have to do is send $29.95. Do I have to send the money?

  • Department of Consumer Affairs
Conditional Offer of Prizes
Contests
Promotional Giveaways

  • Better Business Bureau
Sweepstakes
Promotions

  • U.S. Postal Inspector
Mail Fraud

  • Miscellaneous
Direct Marketing Association - Junk Mail

8) I hired a contractor to re-roof my house. Two weeks after completion, the roof tiles started cracking and falling off and the roof started leaking. What can I do?

  • Department of Consumer Affairs
Contractor's State Licensing Board
Contracting With a Contractor

  • Better Business Bureau
Contractors

9) Someone is using my name and social security number to open up bank accounts, and obtain credit. They are running up huge credit card debts and I am afraid my credit rating will suffer.

  • Sacramento Sheriff's Department
Identity Theft

  • Sacramento Police Department
Preventing and Reporting Identity Theft

  • Better Business Bureau
Identity Theft

  • California Office of Privacy Protection
Identity Theft

Miscellaneous
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Internet Fraud Complaint Center
U.S. Postal Inspector
U.S. Social Security FAQs
Federal Trade Commission

#10) I made a purchase online and it is not the same item that I ordered. What should I do?

  • Better Business Bureau
Returning Merchandise Purchased Online
Tips for Consumers: Shopping Safely from Home

More FAQs from Department of Consumer Affairs