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Consumer Protection
In 2005, my office assumed responsibility for protecting Montana consumers. Since then, we have substantially expanded the valuable assistance the Office of Consumer Protection provides.
By bringing the department's legal resources to bear on consumer issues, we have accomplished a great deal, including:
- creating a Security Freeze program that has the lowest consumer fee in the nation. Montana's 2007 law requires that, for victims of identity theft, a freeze is free and must be placed within 24 hours.
- participating in settlements that have brought over $2.6 million into Montana through June 30, 2007
- providing charities and other nonprofit corporations with guidance in complying with state regulations
The Office of Consumer Protection now provides statewide access through a toll-free number, (800) 481-6896. And when consumers call with problems, someone answers that line so they aren't further frustrated by a recorded menu.
By helping educate Montana consumers and businesses, we are working to prevent fraud and allow legitimate businesses to thrive.
Mike McGrath, Attorney General
Guidance on Common Problems
In some cases, the Office of Consumer Protection is not the correct place for consumers, businesses or nonprofit organizations to seek assistance. The table that follows lists a number of common problems and the appropriate place to seek help.
Please also be aware that the staff of the Office of Consumer Protection cannot serve as your attorney.
| Issue | Concerning | Agency Responsible | Phone Number (406 area code) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising, deceptive and misleading | Prohibited forms of marketing including false claims and "bait and switch." Go to filing consumer complaints. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Antitrust | Antitrust issues, including price fixing, monopoly abuse and restraint of trade. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Banking | Title loans, payday loans, credit unions, finance companies, state banks, mortgage broker and loan originator licensing. | Commissioner on Banking | 841-2920 |
| Business registration | Whether a business is properly registered in Montana. | Secretary of State | 444-3665 |
| Car and truck sales and repair | Problems with new and used cars and trucks, including repair, towing, warranty and New Vehicle Warranty Act (Lemon Law) violations. Go to Vehicles and the Lemon Law. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Charities and nonprofit organizations | Registration requirements. Go to For Nonprofits for a summary of the laws relating to nonprofit corporations and charitable trusts. | Secretary of State | 444-3665 |
| Telemarketing, solicitation and advertising restrictions/regulations. Go to Telemarketing Regulation for nonprofits and Telemarketing for Consumers. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
|
| Contractors registration | Requests for registered contractors. For tips on how to find the best contractor for your job, go to Choosing a Contractor. |
Employment Relations Division, Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) | 444-7734 |
| Credit management services | Debt consolidation, debt settlement, credit counseling and pre-bankruptcy counseling. Go to Credit Counseling Services. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Digital Television | The February 2009 switch to digital-only television transmission, ending analog broadcasting. Go to the FCC's digital television website. | Federal Communications Commission (FCC) | (888) 225-5322 TTY: (888) 835-5322 |
| Discrimination | Sex, age, race and disability discrimination in work, housing and access to government services and facilities. | Human Rights Bureau, DLI | 444-2884; (800) 542-0807 |
| Door-to-door sales | Any sale that did not take place at a location owned by the business involved. Go to filing consumer complaints. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Foreign lotteries | To report phone calls, e-mails or mail indicating that you have won a foreign lottery. | U.S. Secret Service | 245-8585 |
| Gas pricing | Complaints about gas prices, including price fixing or gouging, and illegal dealing in the gas trade. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Gas pumps | Accuracy of gas pumps. | Weights & Measures Bureau, DLI | 841-2240 |
| General state government | Questions about government agencies other than the Department of Justice. | Citizens' Advocate | (800) 332-2272 |
| Health care professionals | Services provided by state-licensed health care professionals, including doctors, dentists, chiropractors, alternative practitioners, hearing aid medical examiners, optometrists, pharmacists, psychologists, etc. | Healthcare Licensing Bureau, DLI | 841-2300 |
| Identity Theft | Steps to take if you suspect that someone has stolen your identity. Go to Identity Theft. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Insurance and securities | Car and house insurance, securities fraud, multi-level marketing, title companies and pyramid schemes. | State Auditor's Office | 444-2040; (800) 332-6148 |
| Internet | Online sales, including e-Bay; Internet fraud, including phishing; buying prescription drugs online, and spam. Go to Internet Security. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Landlord/Tenant | Tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities, rental agreements, security deposits and eviction. Go to For Tenants and Landlords. | Go to For Tenants and Landlords for referral to appropriate agencies. | |
| Money orders | To verify a money order or report fake money orders received as contest "winnings." | U.S. Secret Service | 245-8585 |
| Nonprofit organizations | See Charities and nonprofit organizations entry above. | ||
| Phone services and utilities | Telephone charges or changes such as slamming and cramming; power and utility companies. | Public Service Commission | 444-6150; (800) 646-6150 |
| Professional and occupational licensing | Services provided by state-licensed professionals, including architects, cosmetologists, electricians, outfitters and guides, plumbers, private security officers and investigators, real estate agents, etc. Also see Health care professionals entry above. | Business & Occupational Licensing Bureau, DLI | 841-2300 |
| Telemarketing | Phone solicitation, Montana's do-not-call list, unwanted faxes and business registration. Go to telemarketing for consumers and businesses. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Tenant/Landlord | See Landlord/Tenant entry above. | ||
| Unfair acts by a business | Changing a contract after a sale, abusive arbitration and debt collection misconduct. Go to filing consumer complaints. | Office of Consumer Protection | 444-4500; (800) 481-6896 |
| Vehicles | See Car and truck sales and repair entry above. | ||
| Wage and hour disputes | Overtime pay, workers compensation, withholding paychecks and minimum wage violations. | Labor Standards Bureau, DLI | 444-5600 |
| Water wells | Problems with a well's operation, including contamination. | Water Resources Division, Department of Natural Resources & Conservation | 444-6643 |
Contact Consumer Protection
Office of Consumer Protection
2225 11th Avenue
P.O. Box 200151
Helena, MT 59620-0151
Phone: (800) 481-6896 or (406) 444-4500
Fax: (406) 444-9680
E-mail: contactocp@mt.gov
2225 11th Avenue
P.O. Box 200151
Helena, MT 59620-0151
Phone: (800) 481-6896 or (406) 444-4500
Fax: (406) 444-9680
E-mail: contactocp@mt.gov
Contact the Attorney General's Office
For information about nonprofit corporations and charitable trusts, contact:
Office of the Attorney General
P.O. Box 201401
Helena, MT 59620-1401
Phone: (406) 444-2026
Fax: (406) 444-3549
E-mail: contactdoj@mt.gov
P.O. Box 201401
Helena, MT 59620-1401
Phone: (406) 444-2026
Fax: (406) 444-3549
E-mail: contactdoj@mt.gov