AN OFFICE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

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Today, every avenue of consumer activity is monitored and protected. These categories include, but are not limited to:

• product safety
  
• construction contractors
  
• abusive business practices
  
• debt collection and appropriate lending practices
  
• fraudulent advertising practices
  
• automobile dealerships
• auto mechanics

The Office of Consumer Protection acts to protect the public from unlawful, unfair, and deceptive business practices. This office investigates and takes action pursuant to, and in accordance with, the NJ Consumer Fraud Act (N.J.S.A.56:8-1 et seq.), along with other consumer protection statutes and regulations.

History of Consumer Protection

Consumer protection and product safety have included efforts from various government agencies, businesses, and individuals for nearly 150 years. What was initially started during the industrial revolution in the 1890’s to regulate the boom of commercialization of food products has grown across the United States to encompass the ever-expanding consumer base spanning the internet and beyond.

Consumer protection laws first came into play during the 1890’s and early 1900’s to regulate food purity. Unsanitary conditions and high prices brought about pure food and drug legislation in 1906. In 1938, Congress added to this legislation by enacting the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that required manufacturers to prove the safety of the products that were released to market. These acts have been strengthened since then by such amendments like the requirement in 1962 that required manufacturers to also prove the effectiveness of products in addition to their safety and ingredients.

Since then, many efforts have been made to increase consumer protection and strengthen the laws that protect consumers from fraudulent products and services. There are numerous laws and regulations in place to protect consumers. Some noteworthy statutes include the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, the Video Privacy Protection Act, and many others.