District of Columbia Consumer Protection Laws
The consumer protection law that the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and the Office of Consumer and Trade Protection Section of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) enforces is the Consumer Protection Procedures Act (DC Official Code § 28-3901 et. seq.). It prohibits merchants from committing various deceptive and unfair practices against consumers.

There is also a private right of action under this law under which a person may recover or obtain: a) treble damages, or $1500 per violation, whichever is greater, payable to the consumer; b) reasonable attorney's fees; c) punitive damages; and d) an injunction against the use of the unlawful trade practices.

DCRA now offers website visitors the opportunity to check if a business is licensed in the following categories: All housing licenses, motor vehicle sales, service and repair, and home improvement contractors. You can search by address, name or entire list.