Community Development

Consumer Affairs

The Office of Consumer Affairs contributes to the overall mission of improving the quality of life for residents in the City of Cleveland, working to resolve consumer-related complaints through education and mediation. 

Consumer Affairs enforces Cleveland’s 1972 Consumer Protection Code. The Office works with public and private consumer complaint agencies and prosecutes code violators to promote legal consciousness and an atmosphere of market fairness in consumer, housing, and banking matters.

Consumer Affairs educates the public regarding scams and fraudulent business practices by communicating with media, holding public neighborhood forums, and working cooperatively with private and governmental consumer agencies. Interacting with various levels of government, Consumer Affairs impacts key consumer issues ranging from rate matters associated with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to banking practices. 

The Office may subpoena witnesses and hold hearings to determine whether a vendor has engaged in unfair practices with a Cleveland consumer. This may result in fieldwork and prosecution.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFBB)

PO Box 4503, Iowa City, Iowa 52244 – 855.411.2372 -- Weekdays 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) makes consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for mortgages, choosing credit cards, or using other consumer financial products. 

The CFPB gives consumers information to understand financial companies' terms. Congress established the CFPB in 2010 to protect consumers by carrying out Federal consumer financial laws and authorized it to:

  • Conduct rule-making, supervision, and enforcement for Federal consumer financial protection laws
  • Restrict unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices
  • Take consumer complaints
  • Promote financial education
  • Research consumer behavior
  • Monitor financial markets for new risks to consumers
  • Enforce laws that outlaw discrimination and other unfair treatment in consumer finance

Consumer Affairs Resource Guide