DCA HELPS BALANCE THE SCALES, KEEPING NEW YORK CITY'S MARKETPLACE FAIR

In 2009, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) celebrates 40 years of ensuring a fair and vibrant marketplace. In 1968, the City consolidated the Department of Markets and its Weights and Measures division with the Department of Licensing, creating DCA. DCA's authority grew significantly with passage of New York City's landmark Consumer Protection Law in 1969, making it the first municipal agency of its kind in the country.

DCA achieves its mission by:

MEDIATING and RESOLVING consumer complaints.
LICENSING 57 industries and maintaining high standards of fairness and public accountability.
ENFORCING the City's landmark Consumer Protection Law, and other related City and State laws.
EDUCATING New Yorkers about their rights as consumers and responsibilities as businesses.
LITIGATING against rule-breaking businesses.

These combined efforts efficiently and effectively protect New York consumers.

SPECIAL FEATURE: To view DCA's 2007 annual report online, click here. Slide shows will appear on your screen in a new window. Enjoy!

LICENSING

DCA's Licensing Center issues licenses to more than 71,000 businesses in 57 industries. Businesses requiring licenses include home improvement contractors, cigarette dealers, sidewalk cafes, debt collectors, parking lots, and tow truck companies – to name several.

COLLECTIONS

DCA collects fines from licensed and unlicensed businesses that violate the Consumer Protection, Licensing, and Weights and Measures laws. The division also processes licenses for the New York City Department of Health.

ENFORCEMENT

DCA's Enforcement Division conducts inspections Citywide to make sure that the laws protecting consumers are upheld. The division enforces the Weights and Measures, Consumer Protection, and business Licensing laws. The laws are enforced by:

• INSPECTING New York City businesses – thousands of routine inspections a year
• LEGAL ACTION to halt deceptive trade practices
• TARGETING businesses that illegally sell cigarettes to minors
• CONFISCATING THE VEHICLES of unlicensed and illegal home improvement contractors or tow truck operators

MEDIATING COMPLAINTS

The City fields thousands of complaint calls each year. When a complaint falls within DCA's legal jurisdiction, DCA will mediate between the consumer and the store owner or merchant. In some cases, if the issue can't be resolved, DCA's administrative law judges will hear the case. When appropriate, the Legal Division pursues litigation against businesses that defraud consumers.

You can use this Web site for information on consumers' rights and to use the Online DCA Complaint Form.

EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY

Consumer Affairs uses the press, the Web, publications, speaking engagements, and seminars to educate both consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities. DCA coordinates a Citywide effort to help New Yorkers improve their financial status. The agency also recommends legislation to protect consumers and organizes coalitions to support it.

Smart shoppers use DCA publications to help separate real bargains from rip-offs.

This Web site brings you the latest news and press releases from DCA.

You can use this Web site to get information about licensing and the rules for businesses.

Contact DCA