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DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS Angel Guzman, Director Convention Center, Second Floor
Buying a New Car
The Office of Consumer Affairs enforces all provisions of Cleveland's 1972 Consumer Protection code by networking with appropriate public and private complaint intake agencies and achieving the ultimate goal of creating a legal conscience in the marketplace by prosecuting violators of the code within the Cleveland jurisdiction. It is unique among local consumer agencies in that it may subpoena witnesses and hold administrative hearings for the purpose of determining whether a vendor has engaged in an unfair or unconscionable trade practice with a Cleveland consumer. Field work and such hearings may result in a criminal and/or civil prosecution against violators of the code. In addition to resolving complaints through negotiation and legal proceedings, the office strives to educate consumers on how to avoid fraudulent business practices by working with the media, by holding public forums in the neighborhoods, and by working cooperatively with private and governmental consumer agencies. The office also interacts with various levels of government to impact on key consumer issues ranging from utility rate matters before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)to banking practices.
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