SCC Recognizes National Consumer Protection Week

RICHMOND – Choices abound for consumers in today’s marketplace. Knowing how to effectively navigate those choices is essential.

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is pleased to join the Federal Trade Commission and other organizations throughout the country in recognizing National Consumer Protection Week (March 3-9, 2024). This annual awareness campaign encourages Americans to understand their consumer rights and make informed decisions to help avoid unsuitable and fraudulent products and services.

The SCC encourages Virginians to protect themselves financially and know where to turn for help – whether they are investing, planning for retirement, looking for ways to save money on their energy bill or shopping for insurance or a loan. It reminds Virginians that it stands ready throughout the year to answer inquiries and provide information and assistance regarding industry sectors over which it has regulatory responsibility. Those sectors include insurance companies and agents, state-chartered financial institutions, investment firms and their representatives, retail franchises and investor-owned utilities providing electric, natural gas, water, sewer and telecommunications services.

The SCC offers a wealth of consumer information on these and other topics, much of which is available on our website at scc.virginia.gov. Our specially trained staff can assist Virginians in making informed choices and assisting with questions if they are not satisfied with the responses they receive from businesses that the SCC regulates.

The SCC urges Virginians to thoroughly evaluate any offer; shop around and compare prices and terms; keep written records of all transactions; find products and services that suit your needs; and verify if an individual or company is licensed or registered with the SCC.  If a problem arises, try to resolve it with the regulated individual or company first. If you are still not satisfied, you can contact the appropriate SCC division by phone, mail or email using the online complaint form.

To access complaint forms and a description of the complaint process, visit the SCC website at scc.virginia.gov and select the appropriate division. To contact the SCC by phone, call toll-free at 1-800-552-7945 or, in Richmond, call:

• Bureau of Insurance – (804) 371-9741
• Bureau of Financial Institutions – (804) 371-9657
• Division of Securities and Retail Franchising – (804) 371-9051
• Division of Public Utility Regulation – (804) 371-9611
• Office of the Clerk – (804) 371-9733
• Division of Information Resources – (804) 371-9141

In the event the SCC does not have regulatory authority over a particular firm, individual, product or transaction, its staff will direct consumers to any appropriate local, state or federal authority for assistance. These may include local law enforcement; the Office of the Attorney General; or the Federal Trade Commission, which consumers also may contact directly through its toll-free helpline at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

To learn more about National Consumer Protection Week, visit consumer.ftc.gov/features/national-consumer-protection-week.

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Contact: Katha Treanor, 804-371-9141