OAG Services and Operating Status
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is responding to the needs of District residents during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. This webpage contains information for residents about their rights under District law, where to get help and access OAG services, and how to submit consumer complaints. This page is being updated as information becomes available.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is teleworking until further notice. You can access OAG services online and over the phone during our telework period at:
- Website: oag.dc.gov
- Email: oag@dc.gov; oagcommunity@dc.gov
- Phone: (202) 727-3400
- Fax: (202) 347-8922
- TTY: (202) 727-3400
**Temporary Service of Process: OAG is no longer accepting service of process in person due to the COVID-19 emergency. Litigants or counsel who are seeking to serve the District in a civil lawsuit may do so by mail in accordance with court rules, or by emailing chad.copeland@dc.gov, stephanie.litos@dc.gov, and tonia.robinson@dc.gov.
For updates from OAG on COVID-19, consumer tips, resources, and warnings:
- Sign up for OAG’s newsletter
- Bookmark and visit OAG’s Coronavirus Information Page
- Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
For the latest District government information about COVID-19 visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Know Your Rights
Read OAG’s Comprehensive Consumer Alert to protect yourself from scams, price gouging, discrimination, and to get information about workers’ rights to paid sick leave. This alert is also available in Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese.
- For consumers: If you are a victim of a scam, or have been overcharged, or otherwise have been treated unfairly by a business, contact OAG’s Office of Consumer Protection by calling (202) 442-9828, emailing Consumer.Protection@dc.gov, or submitting a complaint online.
- For seniors: Learn steps seniors can take to guard against exploitation and abuse. Now more than ever, we urge District residents to be vigilant and report any type of abuse or fraud to Adult Protective Services’ 24-hour hotline at 202-541-3950, MPD at (202) 727-9099, and OAG at 202-727-3807 or elderjustice@dc.gov.
- For workers: If you believe your paid sick leave or other rights are being violated, contact OAG by calling 202-442-9828. Workers can learn about their rights at: https://oag.dc.gov/workers-rights.
- For tenants: During the state of emergency, residents may not be evicted, charged late fees on rent, or have utility shut-offs. View OAG's COVID-19 tenant resource in English and Spanish. Report violations of these protections to OAG by calling (202) 442-9828, emailing Consumer.Protection@dc.gov, or submitting a complaint online.
- For residents facing discrimination: District businesses should treat consumers and employees fairly. If you experience discrimination of any kind, report it to OAG by calling 202-727-3400, emailing OAGCivilRights@dc.gov, or filling out our online form.
- For residents seeking to remove guns from potentially dangerous persons: Are you concerned about a friend or family member who owns a gun and could be a danger to themselves or others? Learn how the District’s “Red Flag Law” can be used to remove a firearm from a potentially dangerous individual.
Join OAG Town Halls & Virtual Chats
"Take 30" Video Chats
OAG hosts weekly 30-minute virtual chats to discuss important issues to our community during COVID-19. Register for our next "Take 30" on June 12 at noon ET as we discuss how to support seniors during COVID-19.
Past Take 30 Chats:
- Coping with Stress featuring internationally-recognized meditation expert Bob Roth (May 8): Video
- Combating Hate and Extremism (May 22): Video
- Stopping the Spread of Violence and COVID-19 (May 29): Video
Social Media & Virtual Chats
OAG is hosting weekly #AskDCOAG Twitter chats (@AGKarlRacine) for youth and families on important topics during the pandemic, such as managing family conflict, discrimination and civil rights, and more. Learn how District students can earn community service hours by participating.
Past Tuesday Twitter Chats
- Managing Family Conflict (March 24): Search Twitter for #DCFamilyTalk
- Teens and Civil Rights (March 31): Search Twitter for #DCTeensHaveRights
- Recognizing and Preventing Child Abuse (April 7): Search for #KeepKidsSafeDC
- Consent and Stopping Sexual Assault (April 14): Search for #ConsentIsKeyDC
- Cyberbullying and Online Sexual Assault (April 28): Search for #CyberViolenceIsViolence
- Emotional Wellness and Managing Anxiety (May 5): Search for #MentalHealthMattersDC
- Emotional Wellness and Trauma (May 12): Search MentalHealthMattersDC
Know Your Rights Tele-Town Halls
OAG hosted several Know Your Rights Tele-Town Halls to educate stakeholders and the public about their protections under District law. Participants learned and asked questions about protections for District consumers, workers and tenants, and how to report price gouging, scams and discrimination:
- ANC Commissioners (March 20): Audio and transcript.
- Labor Leaders (March 27): Audio
- AARP Consumer Protection Call (March 30): Audio
- Business Leaders (April 3): Audio
- Latinx Leaders (April 10): Audio and transcript
- Faith Leaders (April 17): Audio and transcript
- ANC Commissioners and Civic Leaders (April 24): Audio and transcript
- Student Loan Webinar (May 1): Video
Access OAG Services
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, OAG is teleworking until further notice. You can access OAG services online, over email, and on the phone during our telework period:
- Website: oag.dc.gov
- Email: oag@dc.gov
- Phone: (202) 727-3400
- Fax: (202) 347-8922
- TTY: (202) 727-3400
Submit a Consumer Complaint
If you are a victim of a scam, or have been overcharged, or otherwise have been treated unfairly by a business, contact OAG’s Office of Consumer Protection at (202) 442-9828, consumer.protection@dc.gov, or fill out an online consumer complaint form.
Report Civil Rights Violations
If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, you may submit a complaint with OAG’s Civil Rights Section at (202) 727-3400 or OAGCivilRights@dc.gov, fill out an online form, or mail a complaint to OAG at 441 4th Street N.W., Suite 600S, Washington, D.C. 20001.
Report Worker Rights Violations
If you believe your rights are being violated, contact OAG by calling 202-442-9828. Learn more about worker rights and how to get help if your rights have been violated.
Contact Child Support Services
If you have questions about collecting child support or paying child support, call the Child Support Services Customer Care Team at (202) 442-9900 or email cssdcustomerservice@dc.gov. Child Support payments will continue as normal. DC Superior Court has cancelled all Child Support Hearings until May 15, 2020.
Contact our Elder Justice Team
You can report any suspected senior abuse or exploitation to our Elder Justice Team at (202) 727-3807 or elderjustice@dc.gov. You can also report it to the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099 or Adult Protective Services (202) 541-3950.
Connect with our Community Engagement Team
If you have questions about our work or how to access OAG services, connect with our Community Engagement Team by calling (202) 727-3400 or emailing OAGCommunity@dc.gov.
Find Community Supports
District agencies and local organizations are providing help to residents during the state of emergency. Below are several new resources for residents:
Food Assistance
Workers and Small Businesses
Housing
- List of low-barrier emergency shelters from Department of Human Services
- Free housing from Washington Intern Student Housing for frontline medical workers and first responders. To get more information and sign up, call (703) 930 -1656 or email schapman@internsdc.com.
- More resources
Healthcare
- Special COVID-19 enrollment period for DCHealthLink coverage
- Mental health services list from the Department of Behavioral Health
- More resources
Immigrant Community
- Information and FAQs from OAG about the public charge rule and COVID-19 in English and Spanish.
- Anyone—regardless of immigration status—with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) needs to call a health care provider and seek treatment. For those without a provider, call Mary’s Center at (844) 796-2797.
- Resource guide from Immigrants Rising
- More resources
Children and Families
- OAG’s Child Support Services can be reached at (202) 442-9900 and CSSDCustomerService@dc.gov. Child Support payments will continue as normal. DC Superior Court has cancelled all Child Support Hearings until May 15, 2020.
- OAG's list of resources to help domestic violence survivors during COVID-19
- Free resources to watch, read, listen, and learn from D.C. Public Library
- More resources
Find more local resources by visiting coronavirus.dc.gov and Legal Aid Counsel’s comprehensive non-legal resource guide.
Business Resources
- OAG Issues Guidance on the Debt Collection Provisions of The COVID-19 Response Supplemental Emergency Act of 2020 (April 24, 2020)
Full list of OAG consumer alerts, blogs, and newsletters regarding COVID-19
- AG Racine Secures Instacart Agreement to Expand COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave for Grocery Delivery Workers (June 2, 2020)
- AG Racine Leads State Coalition To Stop Trump SNAP Cuts That Would Leave Millions Hungry During Pandemic (June 1, 2020)
- Apply for Child Support Online (May 26, 2020)
- AG Racine Leads 52 Attorneys General Urging Congress to Pass the Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act (May 21, 2020)
- Latest Tenant Protections for D.C. Residents (May 18, 2020)
- AG Racine Releases COVID-19 Consumer Complaint Report (May 15, 2020)
- Keep Kids Safe Online (May 8, 2020)
- AG Racine Announces New Funeral Home Consumer Protections (May 6, 2020)
- Protect Your Mental Health During COVID-19 (May 5, 2020)
- OP-ED: The coronavirus pandemic requires good-faith adjustments to our criminal justice system (May 4, 2020)
- AG Racine Files First Price Gouging Lawsuit Against Ward 7 Convenience Store (May 4, 2020)
- Newsletter: Rooting Out Public Corruption (May 1, 2020)
- AG Racine Alerts District Residents About Debt Collection Protections During COVID-19 Emergency (April 30, 2020)
- AG Racine Announces Washington Sports Club Will Stop Charging Members During COVID-19 Closures (April 27, 2020)
- CONSUMER ALERT: Beware of COVID-Related Charity Scams (April 24, 2020)
- AG Racine Leads Multistate Effort to Strengthen Federal Consumer Protections for Funeral Home Services (April 23, 2020)
- AG Racine Leads Coalition to Stop Trump SNAP Rule That Would Leave 3.1 Million Americans Hungry During Pandemic (April 21, 2020)
- AG Racine Applauds DCSC Chief Judge Morin's Order To Triple Emergency Shelter Funding For Crime Victims During COVID-19 (April 17, 2020)
- AG Racine Shares Resources To Help Domestic Violence Survivors During COVID-19 (April 15, 2020)
- Newsletter: New Emergency Protections for D.C. Residents (April 14, 2020)
- AG Racine Provides Security Tips to District Residents and Businesses for Safe Video Chats in English and Spanish (April 13, 2020)
- CONSUMER ALERT (COVID-19): Federal Coronavirus Relief Payment Scams in English and Spanish (April 9, 2020)
- AG Racine to Enforce Additional Slate of COVID-19 Emergency Protections for District Residents (April 7, 2020)
- AG Racine Demands Washington Sports Club Cease Charging Membership Dues Amidst Coronavirus Closures (April 3, 2020)
- CONSUMER ALERT (COVID-19): Pepco Scam (April 2, 2020)
- Newsletter: Remembering George Valentine (April 1, 2020)
- CONSUMER ALERT (COVID-19): Protecting District Seniors from Financial Exploitation and Abuse in English and Spanish (March 27, 2020)
- 36 Democrat & Republican AGs Join AG Racine Requesting D.C. Be Treated As a State For Purposes of Receiving State Level Allocation For Coronavirus Relief Funding (March 26, 2020)
- AG Racine Sends Cease-and-Desist Letters to Stop Price Gouging by District Stores and Online Sellers (March 26, 2020)
- AG Racine Joins 14 States Urging Amazon And Whole Foods To Expand Paid Sick Leave For Workers During Covid-19 Emergency (March 25, 2020)
- AG Racine and 33 Attorneys General Urge Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, and Walmart to Crack Down on Online Price Gouging (March 25, 2020)
- Newsletter: New Emergency Protections for DC Residents (March 19, 2020)
- Viruses Don't Discriminate (March 18, 2020)
- AG Racine to Enforce New Emergency Protections for District Residents (March 17, 2020)
- AG Racine Supports D.C. Superior Court's Operating Status During COVID-19 Emergency (March 15, 2020)
- AG Racine Announces Federal Court Blocks Trump Administration From Cutting Food Benefits (March 13, 2020)
- AG Racine Announces Office of the Attorney General to Telework (March 13, 2020)
- OAG’s Comprehensive Consumer Alert to protect yourself from scams, price gouging, discrimination, and to get information about workers’ rights to paid sick leave. This alert is also available in Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. (March 12, 2020)
- CONSUMER ALERT: Beware of Coronavirus Scams (February 28, 2020)