The District of Columbia’s general consumer protection law, which prohibits a wide variety of deceptive and unconscionable business practices, is called the Consumer Protection Procedures Act or “CPPA.” It is codified at DC Official Code §§ 28-3901 to 28-3913.
The CPPA is enforced by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which brings civil actions in DC Superior Court to stop unlawful trade practices and recover restitution for consumers. The CPPA also provides for a private right of action: a consumer who is harmed by an unlawful trade practice may sue for treble damages (or $1500 per violation, if greater), punitive damages, and attorney’s fees, as well as an injunction against the unlawful trade practice. The private right of action is codified at DC Official Code § 28-3905(k)(1).
In addition to the CPPA, the District of Columbia has many specific consumer protection laws, including laws addressing privacy, home mortgages, sales of automobiles, consumer credit, and debt collection.
General Consumer Protection Law:
Consumer Protection Procedures Act DC Official Code §§ 28-3901 to 28-3913
Links to Frequently Used Consumer Law Provisions
| Consumer Law Provision Name | DC Official Code |
|---|---|
| Private Rights of Action | § 28-3905(k) |
| Debt Collection Law | § 28-3814 |
| Foreclosure Mediation | § 42-815.02 |
| Home Solicitation Sales Law | § 28-3811 |
| Lemon Law Remedy | § 50-502 |
| Unlawful Trade Practices (Listed) | § 28-3904 |
Selected Consumer Protection Laws
| Consumer Protection Law Names | DC Official Code |
|---|---|
| Assistive Technology Device Warranty Act | §§ 28-4031 to 28-4034 |
| Automobile Consumer Protection Act (Lemon Law) | §§ 50-501 to 50-510 |
| Consumer Credit Protection Act | §§ 28-3801 to 28-3816 |
| Consumer Credit Service Organizations | §§ 28-4601 to 28-4608 |
| Consumer Lay Away Plan Act | § 28-3818 |
| Consumer Personal Information Security Breach Notification Act | §§ 28-3851 to 28-3853 |
| Consumer Security Freeze Act | §§ 28-3861 to 28-3864 |
| Direct Motor Vehicle Installment Loans | §§ 28-3601 to 28-3603 |
| Health Spa Consumer Protection Act | § 28-3817 |
| Hearing Aid Dealers and Consumer Act | §§ 28-4001 to 28-4007 |
| Home Equity Protection Act (Foreclosure Rescue Services) | §§ 42-2431 to 42-2435 |
| Home Loan Protection Act | §§ 26-1151.01 to 26-1155.01 |
| Identity Theft | §§ 22-3227.01 to 22-3227.08 |
| Installment Sales of Motor Vehicles | §§ 50-601 to 50-610 |
| Interest Rate Caps (Usury) | §§ 28-3301 to 28-3315 |
| Natural Disaster Consumer Protection Act | §§ 28-4101 to 28-4103 |
| Rental Housing Locator Consumer Protection Act | § 28-3819 |