Consumer Protection in Berkeley, California

Where to go and who can help with consumer protection matters in Berkeley — the local courts, agencies and legal-help organizations.

Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this

The law & your deadlines are statewide. The statutes, filing deadlines and notable decisions for consumer protection are the same across California — see Consumer Protection in California →

Where to go & how to get help in Berkeley

Local agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations, plus the statewide and federal bodies that serve Berkeley.

California Department of Justice — Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Sectionagency
Investigates and sues businesses for violations of California consumer protection laws; accepts public complaints and provides a referral table directing consumers to the right agency.
Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal agency that enforces consumer protection laws nationwide and accepts complaints about fraud, scams, identity theft, and deceptive business practices.
California Department of Consumer Affairsagency
Licenses and regulates hundreds of professions in California; accepts complaints against licensed contractors, auto mechanics, healthcare workers, and other regulated businesses.
Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal agency that enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and accepts consumer fraud complaints through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Federal Trade Commissionagency
Federal enforcement agency for the Federal Trade Commission Act; accepts consumer complaints about deceptive advertising, identity theft, and scams through its online complaint portal.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureauagency
Federal agency enforcing laws on credit reports, mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and debt collection; accepts free consumer complaints online.
State Bar of California — Free Legal Helpbar referral
Directory of State Bar-funded legal aid organizations and free legal resources for California residents who cannot afford a lawyer.
USA.gov — Find legal aid and free legal serviceslegal aid
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Legal Services Corporation — Get legal helplegal aid
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
American Bar Association — Free Legal Help & Lawyer Referralbar referral
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
USA.gov — State attorney generalagency
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.