The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) are currently investigating more than a dozen specific cases and industries directly affecting District residents. If you or someone you know has been a victim or feel you have evidence that could assist the Government of the District of Columbia in these cases, please contact us immediately by submitting a complaint.

Used Car Lots

DCRA and OAG have joined forces for a city-sweep of used car lots and have shut down dozens that were operating without a license and also investigated each location for environmental hazards, business and tax records, insurance and registration documents, and the general condition of properties. To date, 24 dealers have been shut down.

Prepaid Calling Cards

OAG is investigating whether certain companies are selling prepaid calling cards that allegedly provide far fewer calling minutes than advertised, and deceptively add-on fees without the consumers’ knowledge.

Church Kiosk Scam

OAG is investigating allegations that numerous DC churches were the victims of an alleged scam to offer them computers free of charge when the churches were actually charged tens of thousands of dollars in leasing fees for the use of the computers.

Hair Salons/Barber Shops

DCRA is currently sweeping to ensure hairstylists and barbers and other cosmetology professionals operating in the District are licensed.

Weight and Measures

District businesses must register all Universal Product Code (UPC) scanners, pharmaceutical balances, scales used in dialysis clinics, and commercially used weighing and measuring devices including gas pumps, produce scales and many other devices. DCRA inspects thousands of devices twice every year to validate that the devices are properly calibrated and display accurately.

Countrywide Settlement

The DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is reviewing a settlement proposed to certain DC residents by Bank of America on behalf of its subsidiary, Countrywide Mortgage, to settle claims against Countrywide for alleged fraud in the making of various subprime loans between 2003 and 2007.

Condominium Conversions

OAG is investigating numerous complaints by certain DC residents who purchased condominium units that were sold after conversion from other types of housing units. The complaints are against several different developers which are alleged to have performed the conversions in a negligent manner or which did not comply with certain regulations involving the posting of bonds. Some of the conversions allegedly have caused the new purchasers to pay thousands of dollars more in monthly condo fees in order to finance repairs or deficiencies relating to the conversions.

“Road Assistance” Wireless Charges

OAG is investigating whether certain wireless phone companies added allegedly deceptive Roadside Assistance fees to monthly cell phone bills without the customers’ knowledge or consent.

MoneyStore

OAG has brought lawsuits against MoneyStore, as well as certain title companies and individuals, who are alleged to have engaged in fraud in the making of various subprime loans between 2003-2007. Many of the individual cases have settled through mediation, with other cases continuing in mediation and litigation.

Mortgage Lending Scams

OAG is investigating several individual and companies which allegedly engaged in mortgage lending scams resulting in the foreclosure of residents’ homes. The targets of the investigations allegedly deceived the home owners into signing-over the titles to their homes in order to avoid foreclosure and then liquidated all of the remaining equity in the homes.

Off-label Drug Marketing

OAG is working with many other Attorney Generals’ offices to investigate and prosecute claims against various drug manufacturers for allegedly marketing certain of their drugs for purposes for which the drugs were not approved.

Food Supplements

OAG is working with many other Attorney Generals’ offices to investigate and prosecute claims against manufacturers of allegedly deceptive food supplement.

Mail "Check" Fraud

OAG is investigating certain companies that allegedly sent deceptive “checks” to DC residents which, once cashed, enroll the unknowing consumer in club membership with significant annual fees.

Internet Payday Loans

OAG is investigating a number of companies that may be providing pay-day loans by internet to DC residents in violation of DC law.

Auto-title Loans

OAG is investigating a number of companies that may be providing pay-day loans by internet to DC residents in violation of DC law.

Deceptive Financing

OAG is working with many other Attorney Generals’ office to investigate claims against a certain national company for allegedly deceptive financing of computers and other electronics equipment.

Travel Agency Scam

OAG is investigating complaints by several District residents relating to allegedly deceptive travel promotions by a local travel agency.

Small Business Membership Scam

OAG is investigating whether a DC company deceptively obtained bank account information from certain small business owners and then made unauthorized charges to their accounts for “membership” fees in a small business operations club.