The Attorney General’s Office protects Nebraskans from unfair, unconscionable and deceptive trade practices, ensures fair competition between businesses, and is responsible for oversight of charitable assets and entities. Our office’s Consumer Protection Division accomplishes this through:
- Consumer education
- Mediation of consumer complaints
- Enforcement
Consumer Education
One way we protect consumers is by equipping them to protect themselves. We educate consumers about identity theft, Internet safety, and how to recognize the warning signs of fraud and scams.
In addition to news releases and offering educational materials, we provide community outreach by speaking directly to groups and organizations.
Mediation of Consumer Complaints
Disputes that a consumer may have with a business can often be resolved as a result of the mediation process. Our office offers mediation through our Consumer Protection Division Mediation Center. Mediation relies on the voluntary cooperation of both the consumer and the business. The mediation process is started by filing a consumer complaint with our office. Each and every consumer complaint is reviewed by a mediator. The mediator, who is independent and neutral, acts as a "go between" for the consumer and the business. The consumer will always be kept apprised of the status of his/her complaint, including whether a complaint has been referred to another governmental entity.
If, the parties don’t reach a resolution through mediation, the consumer may choose to go through the legal process to have a court resolve the dispute. The consumer may want to consider small claims court or hiring an attorney. Please note that the Attorney General's Office cannot represent or provide legal advice to individuals.
If you are a victim of a crime, contact your local law enforcement immediately.
Enforcement
The Attorney General’s Office protects Nebraskans from unfair, unconscionable and deceptive trade practices, as well as ensures fair competition between businesses, through enforcement actions.
Our office is also responsible for oversight of charitable assets and entities, including:
File a complaint regarding charitable assets or entities, click here.
Reporting fraud can offer a wide range of benefits to Nebraskans.
Fraud awareness is Nebraska's first line of defense against scammers. By reporting frauds and scams to our office, you can alert the Attorney General to new trends and help us educate our state’s citizens on how to protect themselves. Furthermore, we may share this information with other law enforcement agencies to enable them to detect patterns, identify the perpetrators of fraud, and educate consumers outside Nebraska. Unfortunately, once an individual has suffered monetary loss to a scammer, it is almost impossible to recover the funds. Reporting fraud can help others recognize the warning signs before it's too late.
