Consumer Unit

The Consumer Unit investigates and prosecutes unfair, fraudulent, and dishonest business practices which harm consumers and honest businesses.

Consumer FAQs

Consumer Red Flags

Consumer Tips

Do It Yourself: Resolving Consumer Complaints

Legal Remedies

Online Consumer Fraud Complaint Form

See Elder Abuse Scams

CONSUMER ALERT: 

Romance Scams

Romance scams can start out in lots of ways – like when scammers create fake profiles on dating apps or social media. But these scams always end the same way – with a made up story about why the person needs money. Even if this scam might not affect you, it could be happening to someone you know.

So, as you check in on the health and safety of the people you care about, take a moment, pick up the phone and reach out to someone you might not have spoken with in a while. Check in with them, see how they are doing and listen to what they say – you might help them spot and avoid a romance scam.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/03/caught-bad-romance 

CONSUMER ALERT: 

Fake calls from Apple and Amazon support: What you need to know

Scammers are calling people and using the names of two companies everyone knows, Apple and Amazon, to rip people off. Here’s what you need to know about these calls.

In one version of the scam, you get a call and a recorded message that says it’s Amazon. The message says there’s something wrong with your account. It could be a suspicious purchase, a lost package, or an order they can’t fulfill.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/12/fake-calls-apple-and-amazon-support-what-you-need-know

CONSUMER ALERT: 

Scam Claiming to Be Social Security Administration

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office has received complaints about individuals pretending to be from the Social Security Administration that are attempting to obtain a person’s social security number and money.

For details on the scam and how to protect your Social Security number, visit
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/12/fake-calls-about-your-ssn.

If you are a victim of such a phone call, please contact your local Social Security office and file a complaint with the FTC at https://ftccomplaintassistant.gov.

CONSUMER ALERT: 

Phone Scam Using Sacramento DA’s Identity

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office warns the public of a phone scam using the office’s identity.

Citizens have reported receiving phone calls from people with the “DA’s Office” asking for social security numbers and other information.  Some have reported the scams involved mortgage refinances, referencing their good credit.  Caller ID displays these calls as “SAC DA MAIN” or “Sacramento: Main DA.”

These calls are NOT from the District Attorney’s Office.  Scammers are using the office’s identity to try and attain personal and credit card information, which can be used to commit identity theft and credit card fraud.