The mission of these agencies and organizations is to advocate and protect the consumer. You can find answers to many of your questions from these resources.
In D.C.
- Better Business Bureau – Metro Washington DC
1411 K Street, N.W. Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 393-1198
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/
Business reports that include background, licensing, consumer experience and other useful information. - D.C. Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)
dcra@dc.gov
(202) 442-4400 - D.C. OAG
File a consumer complaint: http://oag.dc.gov/service/consumer-protection-asst - DC Office of the People’s Counsel (protection for utility customers)
File a complaint here: http://www.opc-dc.gov/?option=com_opc&view=opcfilecomplaints
(202) 727-3071 - Department of Consumer Affairs
1100 4th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 442-4400
http://dcra.dc.gov/ - District of Columbia Department of Justice
Judiciary Center Building
555 Fourth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 252-7566
https://www.justice.gov/usao/district/dc - District of Columbia – Housing Authority
1133 North Capitol Street N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 535-1000
http://www.dchousing.org/
Information on housing assistance programs for low-income families.
In Maryland
- Housing Authority – Prince George’s County, Maryland
9200 Basil Court Suite 107
Largo, MD 20774
(301) 883-3403
http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/housingauthority/Pages/default.aspx - Maryland Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division
9200 Basil Court, Suite 301
Largo, MD 20774
(301) 386-6200
https://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/offices.htm
Consumer complaints against a business / company. Guidance and advice to consumers to resolve disputes. - Maryland OAG
File Consumer Complaint: https://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/complaint.htm - Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (involves consumer protection for utility customers)
(800) 207-4055
Consumer Protection (including info on energy suppliers): http://www.opc.state.md.us/ConsumerCorner/ConsumerProtection.aspx - Montgomery County, Maryland, Office of Consumer Affairs
240.777.3636
Complaint form: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OCP/Resources/Files/OCP_Forms/Complaint_rev_02212014.pdf - Office of Consumer Protection
100 Maryland Avenue, Suite 330
Rockville, MD 20850
Office: 240.777.3636
Anonymous Tip Line: 240.777.3681
Fax: 240.777.3768
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer
Assist consumers and merchants from Montgomery County in disputes, using a certified mediator. - State of Maryland Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
(202) 353-1555
https://www.justice.gov/jmd/ls/maryland
In Virginia
- Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission
(804)-371-9967
sccinfo@scc.virginia.gov
www.scc.virginia.gov/
(804) 786-2071 - State of Virginia, Eastern District Department of Justice
2100 Jamieson Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 299-3700
https://www.justice.gov/usao/district/edva - Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
102 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 786-3523
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/index.shtml - Virginia Housing Development Authority
601 S. Belvidere Street
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 782-1986
http://www.vhda.com/Pages/Home.aspx - Virginia OAG
File Consumer Complaints: http://www.oag.state.va.us/citizen-resources/consumer-protection
Contractors
Information about licensing requirements and other resources for unlicensed contractors.
- Business License Verification – District of Columbia
http://pivs.dcra.dc.gov//BBLV/Default.aspx - Labor, Licensing & Regulation – Maryland
https://www.dllr.state.md.us/pq/ - Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation — Virginia
http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/licenselookup/
