The Consumer Protection Department provides as updated information as possible as it relates to consumer products and services.
The A-Z Consumer list provides a comprehensive listing of consumer information, news releases and services. Additionally, you may contact us if you need assistance.
In Scams and Alerts, you can learn about:
- the latest consumer scams
- how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
- review energy prices and read the latest recall and product safety news.
If you are in debt, you should know your rights and become acquainted with answers to frequently asked questions about debt collection.
And for parents of students entering college, be sure to research and understand the many college financing options available to you.
These brochures are available for download using the free Acrobat Reader. You may read the brochures as well as print them to share with others.
English
Home Contractor tips: Choosing a Home Improvement Contractor
Be a smart consumer: Know Your Rights
Keep your personal information safe: Worried About Identity Theft?
The Department of Consumer Protection fights hard to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers. Check our office hours and if you need assistance, call us at (914) 995-2155.
Please read our tips on how to select a contractor and review the home improvement sample contract. Do your homework before you hire a home improvement contractor. Complete a Freedom of Information Request (FOIL) form to check on the background of a company. Check whether your contractor has any outstanding judgments or liens filed against their business. Find out if the contractor is licensed and avoid hiring renegade renovators. Home Improvement Contractors can review the licensing law and download, utilize the fillable form and print the home improvement contractor application in English or Spanish.
Robocalls are the most common complaint to consumer protection offices. During this time of uncertainty, knowing about possible scams is a good first step toward preventing them.
More people than ever before are using credit and debit cards for payments in stores and restaurants, and some merchants are now seeking to add surcharges to bills to recover their transaction fees for these plastic payments.
Home improvement contractors are required by law to declare on their licensing application any nonpayment or underpayment of wage actions against them. If contractors fail to abide by this law and you believe you are a victim of wage theft, file a Wage Underpayment and Theft Worker complaint with our office.
Plumbers and electricians must obtain a trade license in order to work in Westchester County. Check licensing information for Plumbers and Electricians or call (914) 995-2657 if you need additional details.
Westchester County’s Safe Time Leave Law became effective Oct. 30, 2019. Additionally, employees in Westchester County are entitled to earned sick leave.
Internal Revenue Service's consumer alert urges taxpayers to watch out for erroneous tax refunds and fake calls to return money to Collection Agency. The IRS provides additional tips on how to report tax-related schemes, scams, identity theft and fraud.
Another initiative is Senior Crime Busters. This one-hour, elder fraud protection program, which is available to your group, provides tips on how seniors can stay safe and avoid financial exploitation. Senior citizens should also beware of the "grandparents" scam.
File a complaint online or by mail in English or Spanish if you have a problem.
Our office is now closed to the public. Kindly mail in all applications and if you have any questions you may contact us at the telephone numbers below or by email at .
The Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection is located at:
148 Martine Avenue, Room 407
White Plains, NY 10601
Our contact information:
| Main: | (914) 995-2155 |
| Home Improvement Licensing: | (914) 995-2211 |
|
Electrical and Plumbing Licensing: Fax number: |
(914) 995-2657 (914) 995-3115 |