Former Sen. William Cohen said, “Government is the enemy until you need a friend.” While it has become fashionable to question the integrity and effectiveness of government services, the unfortunate truth is that many citizens do not understand the good and helpful services that government can provide.
An example of outstanding service provided to the public is the Washington State Attorney General Consumer Protection Division. This division enforces the state’s Consumer Protection Act and administers the state’s Lemon Law for new motor vehicles. It protects against unfair and deceptive marketplace practices.
While the Office of Attorney General is prohibited from acting as an attorney for individual consumers, it offers an informal complaint resolution service to Washingtonians; $4 million are returned to consumers each year.
Government can be your friend if you know where to look for help. Washingtonians can file consumer complaints in writing, online, or call the Consumer Resource Center at 800-551-4636 for assistance.
For more information, including how to deal with robocalls, file a complaint against telemarketers who violate state law, and how to recognize scams, visit https://www.atg.wa.gov.
