WASHINGTON, D. C. – Just in time to help residents learn how to avoid scams prevalent at holiday time such as fake charities and identity theft, Attorney General Karl A. Racine today announced the launch of a comprehensive library of consumer-protection resources. The resources are available online as well as in print, and residents and community groups are welcome to download and print their own copies of the resources or request a printed version from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Office of Consumer Protection.

As consumers get in the holiday spirit, give to good causes, and shop online, OAG can help them ensure that their donations are going to legitimate charities and that their personal information remains secure.

“Our office takes our responsibility to protect and educate consumers very seriously,” said Attorney General Racine. “I encourage District residents to learn about the simple steps they can take to protect themselves during this holiday season and beyond. They can also get in touch with our office if they have been taken advantage of by a fake charity, an identity thief, or any other scammer.”

In addition to information about identity theft and fake charities, the new library covers a broad range of topics, including how to recognize lottery and student loan scams, how to get incorrect information removed from credit reports, and what protections exist for car buyers under the District’s Lemon Law. To access all of these resources and more, visit OAG’s new consumer protection library: http://oag.dc.gov/consumerprotection

District consumers can report fraud and scams to OAG’s Office of Consumer Protection through the OAG Consumer Hotline at (202) 442-9828, by sending an email to consumer.protection@dc.gov, or online using the Consumer Complaint Form on our website.