| General Agency Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name: | Santa Cruz County Office of the District Attorney Consumer Affairs Unit | ||
| Alternate Name(s): | Consumer Affairs/Environmental Protection Division | ||
| Address: | 701 Ocean Street Room 200 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Driving Directions | ||
| Primary Phone: | 831-454-2050 | ||
| Email Address: | DAO@co.santa-cruz.ca.us | ||
| Website: | sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/DAInternet/ | ||
| Days/Hours of Operation/Phone: | Monday-Friday, 8am-12 and 1-5pm | ||
| Description: | The Consumer Affairs unit is part of the Consumer Affairs/Environmental Protection Division in the District Attorney's Office. The Consumer Affairs unit provides assistance to consumers who live, shop or do business in the County of Santa Cruz. The Division offers telephone counseling and referrals to state and federal agencies that deal with consumer issues. It performs complaint mediation for buyer-seller disputes, and also conducts investigations if there appears to be illegal, fraudulent or deceptive practices. The Division offers programs on consumer education through the news media, schools, presentations and community workshops. It also provides consumer information tip sheets, news letters and other publications to help make consumers aware of deceptive practices and be more informed in their buying decisions. The Division maintains an extensive reference file of business names and complaint histories that is made available to the public on request. The Division also provides limited landlord-tenant self help information.
The Environmental Protection Units' focus is on protecting the public from companies that violate environmental laws violations that can threaten the natural environment or endanger public health. The unit investigates and prosecutes matters involving unlawful treatment, transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes. In addition to criminal charges filed against an entity or individual, civil complaints may be initiated to prevent on-going violations and to seek monetary penalties for violations when appropriate. The specific responsibilities of the Consumer Affairs and Environmental Protection Division are to: Receive, evaluate, and investigate consumer inquires and complaints; Conduct consumer education; Counsel consumers and businesses and handle complaint adjudication; Protect against consumer fraud; Prosecute building code violations; Investigate and prosecute environmental violations; Investigate and prosecute "white collar" and criminal fraud complaints; Represent consumer interests before various government and private agencies; Offer mediation services. | ||
| Programs: | TENANT AND LANDLORD INFORMATION on website:
Tenants: *General Information and Contacts *State Tenant Handbook *Condominium Information *Tenants' Right to Privacy *Rent Withholding *Habitability and Repairs of Rental Unit *Lock Out, Utility Shut Off, or Seizure of Tenant Property *Shared Utility Meters *Relocation expenses *Tenants Rights In Foreclosed Properties *Security Deposit Refund *Security Deposit Interest *Eviction Process *Eviction of Tenants Residing with Owner *Serving 3-Day, 30-Day, and 60-Day Notices *Motel/Lodger Vs. Tenant *Abandoned Rental Unit Online information: Sample Complaint Letter CONDO & HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION ISSUES The California Attorney General's Office has an online complaint process SCAM ALERTS | ||
| Languages other than English: | Spanish | ||
| Accommodations for Disabled: | Call for Information | ||
| Public Transportation: | Available Within Four Blocks | ||
| Eligibility: | Public Service | ||
| Fees: | Call for Information | ||
| Areas Served: | Santa Cruz County | ||
| Physical Location: | Santa Cruz | ||
| Funding Source: | County Government | ||
| Related Agencies | |||
| Parent Agency: | Santa Cruz County Office of the District Attorney | ||
| Subject Headings | |||
| Building Code Enforcement Consumer Assistance and Protection Consumer Complaints Consumer Education Consumer Fraud Reporting Consumer Issues Consumer Protection Agencies Consumer Services Eviction Assistance Landlord/Tenant Assistance Landlord/Tenant Dispute Resolution Mediation Rental Deposit Assistance Tenant Rights Counseling | |||
| This record last modified November 23, 2012 | |||