The Consumer Protection Division consists of three divisions:
Worthless Checks- If a business or individual has been given a check that does not clear the bank, our office may prosecute if the receiver of the check sends a certified letter to the passer giving the passer seven days to make the check good. When the receiver of the check receives the certified card or letter back from the postal service the receiver of the check must come into the Consumer Division of the District Attorney’s Office and fill out a complaint form for prosecution of the passer of the check. In order to prosecute, we will need the social security number, date of birth or driver’s license of the person who wrote the check. There were 645 Worthless Check cases brought into the office in 2004, of which 467 were filed and 70 were declined.
Consumer Fraud– The District Attorney’s Office is also involved in consumer transactions, to help protect consumers from “deceptive acts and unconscionable practices.” Instances of consumer fraud include: warranty disclaimers, door-to door sales, contest or prize scams, charitable solicitations, home repairs or remodeling, dept collection practices, internet scams involving bank accounts, car purchases or repairs, telemarketing fraud, unordered merchandise, work at home offers, appliance repairs and defective merchandise, and mail order items.
Involuntary Commi tments– The District Attorney’s Office provides help and support in committing patients to mental and/or substance abuse facilities. The petitioner must have first-hand knowledge that suggests that the patient is a danger to him/herself or others and that the patient suffers from a mental illness or a substance abuse problem. The patient must refuse treatment at a specific facility. All information must be less than two weeks old. Note: If the patient or others are in imminent danger, the petitioner should call 911 and have the police help with the situation.
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