CONSUMER PROTECTION TOPICS

How to Spot and Avoid Scams
Learn the most common scams affecting San Andreas residents, including phishing emails, fake lotteries, and “too good to be true” offers. Know what to look out for and what to do if you’re targeted.

Researching a Business Before Doing Business
Understand how to verify a business license, check public complaints, and confirm contact details. We guide you through identifying fake companies and recognizing red flags like no refund policies or anonymous websites.

Understanding Contracts and Fine Print
Contracts in San Andreas must follow clear legal standards. Learn what makes a contract enforceable, how to recognize hidden clauses, and when to consult legal aid.

Filing a Consumer Complaint
If you’ve been misled, defrauded, or unfairly charged, the San Andreas Justice Department offers an easy online complaint portal to take action.

Safe Ways to Pay
We outline the safest methods for purchases — credit cards, secure digital wallets — and explain why cash, wire transfers, and peer-to-peer apps should be used with caution.

Avoiding Overcharges, Hidden Fees, or False Billing
Learn how to audit bills, question suspicious charges, and challenge unexpected service fees.

Money-Back Guarantees: What’s Real, What’s Not
Understand how to hold businesses accountable when they promise refunds — and what your legal options are when they don’t deliver.

Dealing with Credit Disputes
If your credit is affected by fraud or error, learn how to dispute inaccurate records and protect your score.

Understanding Rental Agreements in San Andreas
Know your legal rights as a tenant, from security deposits and rent increases to lawful eviction procedures.

Avoiding Rental Scams
Fake listings, forged paperwork, and unlicensed landlords are on the rise. Learn how to verify a property and who to contact before signing anything.

Repair & Maintenance Responsibilities
Tenants have rights to safe, livable conditions. We explain who is responsible for repairs and what to do if your landlord neglects them.

Deposits & Lease Termination
When can a deposit be withheld? When can you break a lease? The SAJD offers clear guidance on these frequent disputes.

Used Vehicle Buying Guide
We break down how to verify a vehicle title, inspect for hidden damages, and avoid curbstone scams (illegal unlicensed sellers).

Your Rights at Auto Repair Shops
Before you leave your car for service, know what a written estimate includes, your right to decline unnecessary repairs, and how to respond to overcharges.

Repossession Laws in San Andreas
Understand when and how a lender can repossess your vehicle, and your options for reclaiming or disputing the action.

Towing Services and Storage Fees
Learn about your rights during impounds and how to dispute excessive tow charges or illegal tows.

Fake Websites and Counterfeit Goods
Look for signs of fraudulent web stores — no return policy, suspicious URLs, or cloned branding — and how to report them.

Secure Online Shopping Tips
How to identify SSL-secured sites, use disposable cards or virtual wallets, and check site reviews before entering personal details.

Delivery Disputes & Package Theft
What to do when items don’t arrive, arrive damaged, or are stolen after delivery — plus tips for tracking and securing your packages.

How to Recognize Phishing & Text Message Scams
Know how to identify fake communications posing as banks, courts, or businesses — and what to do if you click a suspicious link.

Data Breaches: What to Do
If your personal data is leaked or stolen, we walk you through how to freeze your credit, report identity theft, and monitor future activity.

Safe Social Media Practices
Protect your privacy, avoid impersonators, and minimize your exposure to data harvesting schemes.

Job Offer Scams
From fake employers to phony recruiter fees, learn how to vet job postings and verify employers.

Wage Theft & Labor Violations
Know what you’re owed, when overtime applies, and how to file a labor complaint against an employer who refuses to pay fairly.

Independent Contractors and Gig Work
Understand what contracts should include, your tax responsibilities, and how to protect yourself from exploitation.

Spotting Diploma Mills & Fake Certifications
Learn how to verify that a school or program is recognized by the San Andreas Education Department, San Andreas State University or a legitimate accrediting body.

Student Loan Scams & Forgiveness Frauds
Don’t fall for fake relief programs. We provide official sources for assistance and list red flags to avoid.

Understanding Enrollment Contracts
Some private institutions lock students into binding terms. Know what to look for before signing.

Common Scams Targeting Older Adults
These include grandparent scams, fake medical alerts, and fake Social Security calls. Families and caregivers should stay informed.

Financial Exploitation by Family or Caregivers
Learn how to recognize signs of abuse, theft, or manipulation and where to report it.

Trusted Legal Documents: Power of Attorney, Wills, and More
Setting these up properly protects seniors and ensures their wishes are respected.

Active Scam Warnings
SAJD posts urgent alerts about new or trending scams happening in San Andreas — from fake inspectors to emergency fund frauds.

Recall Bulletins
See which products, vehicles, or medications are under recall for safety reasons, with instructions on how to return or replace.

Disaster Relief & Charity Scams
After natural disasters or community crises, scammers often pose as charities — learn how to give safely and identify authorized aid programs.