Department of Consumer Affairs
Licenses over 200 professionals ranging from doctors to accountants to contractors. Phone (800) 952-5210 to reach the
Consumer Information Center, where staff members can help find the right government agency to help with a particular
problem. Website provides a Consumer Resource & Referral Guide. Using the Guide's Complaint Referral Table, customers can
look up the type of business, and it will refer them to the appropriate agency.
Office of the Attorney General (Consumer Alerts, Information and Complaints)
Takes complaints against a variety of businesses. The Attorney General has authority under Corporations Code section 1508 to
intervene on behalf of shareholders in a corporation who are denied certain specified legal rights in the form of a "Notice
of Complaint" letter to the corporation.
Department of Corporations
Responsible for the regulation of securities, franchises, off-exchange commodities, investment and financial
services, independent escrows, consumer and commercial finance lending, and residential mortgage lending. Has exclusive
authority to bring both civil and administrative actions under the laws subject to the jurisdiction of the California
Corporations Commissioner. For questions regarding the laws administered by the Securities Regulation
Division, call (866) 275-2677.
Seniors Against Investment
Fraud (SAIF)
A statewide outreach campaign under the California Department of Corporations and funded by the Governor's Office of
Criminal Justice Planning. The primary purpose of SAIF is to take the leadership role to alert and educate all Californians
over the age of 50 about investment and telemarketing fraud crimes and how to avoid being victimized.
Department of Financial Institutions
Has jurisdiction over state chartered banks. For questions or complaints contact (800) 622-0620 or (916) 322-5966.
Department of Insurance
Has jurisdiction over title and other insurance companies and provides information relating to requirements for insurance
companies, agents, and brokers. For questions or complaints contact (800) 927-4357 or (213) 897-8921.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Protects investors and maintains the integrity of the securities markets. Each year the SEC brings between 400-500 civil
enforcement actions against individuals and companies that break securities laws. Typical violations include insider
trading, accounting fraud, and providing false or misleading information about securities and the companies that issue
them. The website includes the EDGAR database of disclosure documents that public companies are required to file with the
Commission.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices. The Commission also
enforces federal antitrust laws that prohibit anticompetitive mergers and other business practices that restrict competition
and harm consumers. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, a complaint helps the FTC investigate
fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Charters, regulates, and supervises national banks to ensure a safe, sound, and competitive banking system. The agency can
remove officers and directors, negotiate agreements to change banking practices, and issue cease and desist orders as well
as civil money penalties.
Office of Thrift Supervision
A division of the U.S. Dept of the Treasury that has enforcement authority over federally-chartered and state-chartered
savings institutions.
Better Business Bureau
Provides valuable information to both businesses and consumers to assist in making informed decisions.
State Bar of California
Provides information relating to registration of law corporations and limited liability partnerships. Also provides links
to county bar associations that have lawyer referral services.
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
Serves as a national clearinghouse for fraud information.
National Consumer Law Center (NCLC)
Helps consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers use consumer laws on behalf of low-income and vulnerable
Americans seeking economic justice. NCLC does not have the resources for advising consumers directly and refers consumers
to their county bar associations or legal aid programs for local legal referrals.
Legislative Counsel
Maintained by the Legislative Counsel, this website allows you to search any of the California Codes. In addition, it
provides information on current and past legislative bills.
Business, Transportation & Housing Agency
Provides information about and links to the departments the Agency oversees, such as the Department of Real Estate, Department
of Corporations, California Housing Finance Agency, Department of Financial Institutions, and the Department of Housing and
Community Development.
Office of Administrative Law
Site allows you to search the California Code of Regulations.
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal
Offers a centralized place to find information from local, state, and federal agency sites.
