The Cambridge Consumers' Council is a division of the City of Cambridge License Commission and works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.

The Consumers' Council is one of 19 consumer offices geographically divided throughout Massachusetts. The Consumers' Council has been serving residents of Cambridge since 1980.

The Consumer Advisory Commission, comprised of five Cambridge residents with interest and/or expertise in consumer laws and issues, meets monthly and advises the Consumers' Council.

The Consumers' Council also works closely with the Massachusetts Consumers' Coalition, an association of public and private agencies affiliate to promote consumer interests.

The Consumers' Council serves:

1. All residents of Cambridge regardless of where the business is located
2. All customers of businesses in Cambridge regardless of where the consumer lives.

Attention is given to the elderly, people with disabilities, those with language barriers, and all others without regard to income.

The Cambridge Consumers' Council is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Massachusetts Attorney General, and Somerville Cambridge Elder Services (SCES).

The Cambridge Consumers' Council works to investigate and monitor consumer problems and complaints. The Consumers' Council directly intervenes to assist in the resolution of consumer disputes so that neither the consumer nor the business needs to pursue formal legal action.

The Consumers' Council provides consumer information on rights and remedies with a self-help focus.

The Consumers' Council also provides direct individual case services when a consumer files a written complaint. The staff of the Consumers' Council directly negotiates with businesses and consumers to reach resolutions that are satisfactory to both parties. When appropriate, the Consumers' Council refers parties to mediation programs, arbitration services, or Small Claims Court.

Consumers should contact the Consumers' Council for a complaint form when they feel that they have been a victim of improper business practices and after they have attempted to resolve the dispute on their own.
Before filing a complaint with the Consumers' Council, a consumer should gather and photocopy all relevant receipts, contracts, correspondences, etc., to attach to the Consumers' Council's complaint form.

Consumers may also call the Consumers' Council at (617) 349-6150 with questions about how to write a letter to a business or landlord to request an appropriate remedy to a dispute. Consumers may request brochures from the Consumers' Council on issues ranging from landlord/tenant disputes to an array of automobile concerns. The pamphlets may be helpful in aiding consumers to resolve disputes on their own.

Typically, consumers contact the Cambridge Consumers' Council when they experience:

• Problems with new or used car sales or services
• Difficulties with home improvement or repair contracts
• Landlord/tenant conflicts
• Trouble with credit and collection
• Issues with returns, cancellations, and defective products
• Doubts or questions about mail order or door-to-door sales practices

Consumers often contact the Consumers' Council as a final effort to settle a dispute with a business before taking legal action.