Community Development

Consumer Affairs

Consumer Affairs

The Office of Consumer Affairs investigates consumer complaints about any product or service that was not what you paid for.

Consumer complaints include (but are not limited to):

  • Home improvement contractor complaints
  • Used car purchases
  • Car repairs
  • Billing complaints (cell phone bills, energy bills, internet, cable and satellite bills etc.)
  • Retail complaints (drug store, grocery store, etc.)
  • Home mortgages

Mission

To provide relief from fraudulent, unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable business practices by monitoring and enforcing the Cleveland Consumer Protection Code, as well as state and federal consumer protection laws.

Here for Every Cleveland Resident

  • We serve Cleveland residents with consumer complaints about a business or organization servicing or located in the City.
  • We educate on consumer rights and fraud protection
  • We investigate consumer complaints concerning services and/or products to determine whether the company or organization has engaged in unfair and/or abusive business practices.
  • We mediate a consumer’s complaint, attempting to negotiate a resolution on which the consumer and the company or organization can agree.

Contact Info

phone

(216) 664-4529

mail

ConsumerProtection@clevelandohio.gov

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFBB)

PO Box 4503, Iowa City, Iowa 52244 – 855.411.2372 -- Weekdays 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) makes consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for mortgages, choosing credit cards, or using other consumer financial products.

The CFPB gives consumers information to understand financial companies' terms. Congress established the CFPB in 2010 to protect consumers by carrying out Federal consumer financial laws and authorized it to:

  • Conduct rule-making, supervision, and enforcement for Federal consumer financial protection laws
  • Restrict unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices
  • Take consumer complaints
  • Promote financial education
  • Research consumer behavior
  • Monitor financial markets for new risks to consumers
  • Enforce laws that outlaw discrimination and other unfair treatment in consumer finance

Consumer Affairs Resource Guide

FAQs

Yes! You can verify if a contractor is licensed, bonded and insured to do work in Cleveland by calling the Department of Building & Housing at 216-664-2910.

If you feel the contractor you hired is doing an improper or poor job, contact the Department of Building and Housing at 216-664-2282 and request that an inspector inspect the project.

Failure to pull a permit may result in a fine (to the property owner) from the Department of Building & Housing, but not all contractor work requires a permit. For additional information, contact the Department of Building & Housing at 216-664-2282.

Get estimates from at least 3 contractors to compare prices.

Interview each contractor, ask for references, and check them.

If the work is to be done in Cleveland, verify that the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured by calling 216-664-2910.

Check with the Better Business Bureau (216-241-7678) for complaints.

Avoid oral contracts! Insist on a written contract which includes:

  • contractor’s name
  • address
  • telephone number
  • license/registration number
  • complete description of all work to be done
  • start and end date
  • total price
  • any additions or changes made
  • any warranties including timelines

Not all loans or lenders are equal, so shop around. The cost of doing business with high-cost lenders can be excessive and abusive. For example, "predatory lenders" target homeowners who are elderly or have low incomes or credit problems. They deceive them about terms or give them loans they cannot repay.

Some Cleveland seniors and disabled residents qualify for home repair assistance, and those who meet certain criteria may receive home weatherization services.

To learn more, visit the Office of Home Repair

Our investigates and works to resolve complaints related to home improvement/repair contracting, unlicensed business practices, consumer scams and unfair sales practices (false warranties, questionable sales and repairs which are unneeded or without estimates).

The Office, which can be reached at 216-664-4529, coordinates and conducts educational activities including literature distribution, presentations, seminars and workshops with the goal of increasing consumer protection and financial literacy.

Contact the Ohio State University Extension Service at 216-429-8200 to obtain information about the City of Cleveland Summer Sprout Program.

The city does not accept donations directly. We recommend that produce can be donated to the Cleveland Food Bank. They can be reached at 216-738-2265.

Yes, there is an online app on the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer's website.

The City offers residential tax abatement through the Department of Community Development. Call the Development Office of this department at 216-664-4000 (Fax 216-664-4006) or see the City's online residential tax abatement information.

General information on ownership is on the County Auditor's website or Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office website.

Cleveland Ordinances