The Erie County Department of Public Advocacy Division of Consumer Protection (“DCP”) has received an award of $2 million from the New York State Attorney General’s office to expand its consumer protection efforts on behalf of Erie County residents.  The funding, which the Buffalo Division of the NYS Attorney General’s Office received as a settlement from a local debt collection agency, has been made available to DCP pending Legislature approval to expand programs and to increase DCP focus on addressing violations by business owners of consumer protection laws, such as Article 36-a of the New York State General Business Law §§ 771-776. 

“My administration created the DCP in 2019 to ensure that Erie County's residents have access to education, information and resources regarding consumer protection, and also as an office to investigate and resolve consumer complaints through voluntary mediation and educate Erie County consumers on their rights and responsibilities as consumers. This investment from the NYS Attorney General’s office underscores the importance of what we have been doing and provides the funding to further ramp up operations,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Funds will be used to expand the DCP and its defense of county residents against predatory practices by consumer businesses. This has the potential to generate revenue for the county since NYS General Business Law allows the county to retain any funds it collects as a result of its enforcement efforts. I thank Attorney General Letitia James for this funding and for her focus on protecting consumers.”  

The Attorney General’s Office also recommended the creation of two new positions to handle the increased work: an Assistant County Attorney position that will be focused on enforcing home improvement contract violations set forth in Article 36-a, and a Deputy Commissioner of Public Advocacy position to oversee and facilitate the activities of DCP. These positions will be 100% state-funded. All services will be fully funded through the state funding. 

For more information:

On the Erie County Office of Public Advocacy Division of Consumer Protection, visit

https://www3.erie.gov/consumerprotection/   

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