Consumers' Council

The Cambridge Consumers' Council ("CCC"), a City of Cambridge agency, works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in investigating and monitoring consumer problems and complaints.

The Consumers' Council offers a free, voluntary mediation program aimed at resolving disputes so that neither party needs to pursue formal legal action. Although we cannot compel a business to take part in mediation, many businesses choose to do so. As a result, our office is able to help many individuals resolve consumer disputes they encounter in the marketplace.

The Consumers' Council also operates an information hotline staffed during normal business hours with trained information specialists who can answer questions concerning consumer rights. We can also provide referrals to appropriate organizations or to other government agencies that can better assist you with your problem.

To reach the Consumers' Council Consumer Information and Public Assistance Hotline, call (617) 349-6150. The hotline is staffed Monday from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm, Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm.

Council staff is also watchful of any trends in the marketplace that may call for direct legal intervention by the Attorney General. Using the experience and information gained from the hundreds of individual complaints filed each year by area residents, the Council serves as an informed voice offering suggestions for new or amended legislation that would provide consumer protection for the citizenry.

Updates from the CCC

The CCC Celebrates National Consumer Protection Week 2013!

Please join the CCC in celebrating NCPW 2013 by participating in the following events:

Information Sharing Events!

Come meet the Consumers' Council staff to learn about different initiatives the agency is working on for the upcoming year.  Consumers can also stop by for self-help information or to pickup educational material concerning various consumer topics!

Monday, March 4th   ● 11 AM – 1 PM ● Central Square Post Office, 770 Massachusetts Avenue

Thursday, March 7th ● 11 AM – 1 PM ● Harvard Square Post Office, 125 Mount Auburn

Friday, March 8th      ● 11 AM – 1 PM ● Porter Square Post Office, 1953 Massachusetts Avenue

More information available here:  CCC National Consumer Protection Week Flyer (PDF) 

Free Public Shredding Returns to the City of Cambridge!

In celebration of National Consumer Protection Week 2013, the Cambridge Consumers’ Council, working in cooperation with the United States Postal Service, is pleased to offer FREE DOCUMENT SHREDDING on Saturday, March 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., outside of the Central Square Post Office, 770 Mass. Ave.

The free event – held snow, rain or shine – will provide an opportunity for the public to securely dispose of personal and confidential paper documents. Documents will be destroyed on the spot in a highly advanced technical mobile shredding truck. Ten minute drop-off parking will be available on Massachusetts Avenue (Between Sellers & Pleasant Street), Pleasant Street (Between Mass. Ave & Green Street),and Inman Street (Between Mass. Ave & Bishop Allen Drive). 

Please contact the CCC's Consumer Information and Public Assistance Hotline with any questions at 617.349.6150 or consumer@cambridgema.gov.

Consumer Alert: Prepaid Card Scams

The CCC is warning consumers about a new twist on lottery and advance fee wire fraud scams – using reloadable prepaid cards, such as the “Green Dot MoneyPak” cards, as a method to transfer funds.  Prepaid cards are used like normal debit or credit cards, but funds are prepaid onto the card, reloadable, and not linked to a bank account.  Read more about the Prepaid Card Scam by downloading the Consumer Alert (PDF).

CCC Submits Comments to the Division of Standards Regarding Price Disclosure Regulations

The Consumers’ Council submitted comments in response to the Notice of Public Hearing issued by the Division of Standards concerning the emergency price disclosure regulations promulgated by the Division.  The CCC called on the Division to continue to safeguard the consumer protections built into the proposed regulations, and consider additional recommendations put forth for the purpose of continuing to create an effective price disclosure system for consumers in the retail marketplace.