Economic Security | State of California - Department of Justice

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns# content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#"> <head> <link rel="profile" href="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="xEmL-C4GwHUUV3xa5_meEBdRXothjohFP-peTjXSHtc" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/files/favicon_0.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="rQ6oZQIxn_Jgp7Dq-sgruJW1gy830BKvtFSBNjqSw7A" /> <meta name="msvalidate.01" content="677D5153D29C8072A80042A74C837F58" /> <meta name="description" content="The Attorney General's Office believes that the economic security of working families is crucial to the economic wellbeing of California. That’s why he is fighting to make sure that everyone in our state can benefit from economic growth and consumer protections. The Attorney General has a special role in enforcing the laws that safeguard California consumers, including" /> <meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://oag.ca.gov/economic" /> <link rel="shortlink" href="https://oag.ca.gov/node/100690" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General" /> <meta property="og:type" content="article" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://oag.ca.gov/economic" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Economic Security" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The Attorney General's Office believes that the economic security of working families is crucial to the economic wellbeing of California. That’s why he is fighting to make sure that everyone in our state can benefit from economic growth and consumer protections. The Attorney General has a special role in enforcing the laws that safeguard California consumers, including consumer protection statutes, antitrust laws, and other civil and criminal laws that protect families and competition in the California market." /> <meta property="og:updated_time" content="2024-08-26T10:16:15-07:00" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/files/oag-opengraph.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://oag.ca.gov/economic" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Economic Security" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Attorney General's Office believes that the economic security of working families is crucial to the economic wellbeing of California. That’s why he is fighting to make sure that everyone in our" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/files/oag-opengraph.jpg" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2017-07-29T15:41:57-07:00" /> <meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-08-26T10:16:15-07:00" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png" sizes="72x72" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png" sizes="76x76" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png" sizes="114x114" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png" sizes="120x120" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png" sizes="144x144" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png" sizes="152x152" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png" sizes="180x180" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-57x57.png" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png" sizes="72x72" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png" sizes="76x76" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png" sizes="114x114" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png" sizes="120x120" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png" sizes="144x144" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png" sizes="152x152" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png" sizes="180x180" /> <title>Economic Security | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General</title> <style> @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/modules/system/system.base.css?sndcgw"); </style> <style> @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/modules/simplenews/simplenews.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/modules/field/theme/field.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/modules/logintoboggan/logintoboggan.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/modules/node/node.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/modules/calendar/css/calendar_multiday.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/modules/views/css/views.css?sndcgw"); </style> <style> @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/modules/ctools/css/ctools.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/modules/wysiwyg_linebreaks/wysiwyg_linebreaks.css?sndcgw"); </style> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/font-awesome/4.7.0/css/font-awesome.min.css" media="all" /> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/bootstrap/3.3.7/css/bootstrap.css" media="all" /> <style> @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/contrib/bootstrap/css/3.3.7/overrides.min.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/css/style.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/css/overrides.css?sndcgw"); @import url("https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/css/yamm-mega-menu.css?sndcgw"); </style>   <script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-1.9.1.min.js"></script> <script>window.jQuery || document.write("<script src='/sites/default/modules/jquery_update/replace/jquery/1.9/jquery.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script> <script src="https://oag.ca.gov/misc/jquery-extend-3.4.0.js?v=1.9.1"></script> <script src="https://oag.ca.gov/misc/jquery-html-prefilter-3.5.0-backport.js?v=1.9.1"></script> <script src="https://oag.ca.gov/misc/jquery.once.js?v=1.2"></script> <script src="https://oag.ca.gov/misc/drupal.js?sndcgw"></script> <script src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/bootstrap/3.3.7/js/bootstrap.js"></script> <script src="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/modules/spamspan/spamspan.js?sndcgw"></script> <script src="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/modules/google_analytics/googleanalytics.js?sndcgw"></script> <script src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-6SNZMLLM7F"></script> <script>window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)};gtag("js", new Date());gtag("set", "developer_id.dMDhkMT", true);gtag("config", "G-6SNZMLLM7F", {"groups":"default"});</script> <script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"oag2017","theme_token":"Dl6yeX2N0Xmodgx5eMtWLAHR7Ixk8OtHQeYG4rmj3RY","js":{"sites\/default\/themes\/contrib\/bootstrap\/js\/bootstrap.js":1,"\/\/code.jquery.com\/jquery-1.9.1.min.js":1,"0":1,"misc\/jquery-extend-3.4.0.js":1,"misc\/jquery-html-prefilter-3.5.0-backport.js":1,"misc\/jquery.once.js":1,"misc\/drupal.js":1,"\/\/cdn.jsdelivr.net\/bootstrap\/3.3.7\/js\/bootstrap.js":1,"sites\/default\/modules\/spamspan\/spamspan.js":1,"sites\/default\/modules\/google_analytics\/googleanalytics.js":1,"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=G-6SNZMLLM7F":1,"1":1},"css":{"modules\/system\/system.base.css":1,"sites\/default\/modules\/simplenews\/simplenews.css":1,"modules\/field\/theme\/field.css":1,"sites\/default\/modules\/logintoboggan\/logintoboggan.css":1,"modules\/node\/node.css":1,"sites\/default\/modules\/calendar\/css\/calendar_multiday.css":1,"sites\/default\/modules\/views\/css\/views.css":1,"sites\/default\/modules\/ctools\/css\/ctools.css":1,"sites\/default\/modules\/wysiwyg_linebreaks\/wysiwyg_linebreaks.css":1,"\/\/maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com\/font-awesome\/4.7.0\/css\/font-awesome.min.css":1,"\/\/cdn.jsdelivr.net\/bootstrap\/3.3.7\/css\/bootstrap.css":1,"sites\/default\/themes\/contrib\/bootstrap\/css\/3.3.7\/overrides.min.css":1,"sites\/default\/themes\/custom2017\/oag2017\/css\/style.css":1,"sites\/default\/themes\/custom2017\/oag2017\/css\/overrides.css":1,"sites\/default\/themes\/custom2017\/oag2017\/css\/yamm-mega-menu.css":1}},"googleanalytics":{"account":["G-6SNZMLLM7F"],"trackOutbound":1,"trackMailto":1,"trackDownload":1,"trackDownloadExtensions":"7z|aac|arc|arj|asf|asx|avi|bin|csv|doc|exe|flv|gif|gz|gzip|hqx|jar|jpe?g|js|mp(2|3|4|e?g)|mov(ie)?|msi|msp|pdf|phps|png|ppt|qtm?|ra(m|r)?|sea|sit|tar|tgz|torrent|txt|wav|wma|wmv|wpd|xls|xml|z|zip|pdf|"},"bootstrap":{"anchorsFix":"0","anchorsSmoothScrolling":"0","formHasError":1,"popoverEnabled":1,"popoverOptions":{"animation":1,"html":0,"placement":"right","selector":"","trigger":"click","triggerAutoclose":1,"title":"","content":"","delay":0,"container":"body"},"tooltipEnabled":1,"tooltipOptions":{"animation":1,"html":0,"placement":"auto left","selector":"","trigger":"hover focus","delay":0,"container":"body"}}});</script> </head> <body class="html not-front not-logged-in no-sidebars page-node page-node- page-node-100690 node-type-page"> <div id="skip-link"> <a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a> </div> <header role="banner" id="page-header"> <div class="region region-header"> <div id="block-block-467" class="block block-block"> <div class="content"> <section id="ag-newsletter" class="container-fluid sect-separator" style="margin-bottom:1.5rem; border-bottom:0;"> <div class="container"> <div class="icon"><i class="fa fa-newspaper-o" aria-hidden="true"></i></div> <div class="title">Subscribe to Our Newsletter</div> <form action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAOAG/subscribers/qualify" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post"> <input type="hidden" name="utf8" value="✓" /> <input type="hidden" name="topic_id" id="topic_id" value="CAOAG_4" /> <div class="input-group"> <label class="sr-only" for="ag-weekly-newsletter">Subscribe</label> <input class="form-control form-subscribe" name="email" type="email" id="ag-weekly-newsletter" placeholder="Enter your email..."> <span class="input-group-btn"> <button name="commit" class="btn btn-info" type="submit" data-disable-with="Subscribe">Subscribe</button> </span> </div> </form> </div> </section> </div> </div><div id="block-block-370" class="block block-block"> <div class="content"> <div class="container"> <div class="row top-row"> <div class="col-xs-6 col-md-7"> <div class="universal-heading"> State <em>of</em> California Department <em>of</em> Justice </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-6 col-md-5"> <div class="social-network"> <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/feed" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General RSS Feed" aria-label="California Attorney General RSS Feed"><i class="fa fa-rss" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AGRobBonta" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General Facebook" aria-label="California Attorney General Facebook"><i class="fa fa-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AGRobBonta" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General Twitter" aria-label="California Attorney General Twitter"><i class="fa fa-twitter" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/AGRobBonta" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General Instagram" aria-label="California Attorney General Instagram"><i class="fa fa-instagram" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/caoag" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General YouTube" aria-label="California Attorney General YouTube"><i class="fa fa-youtube" aria-hidden="true"></i></a>  </div> </div> </div> <div class="row middle-row"> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-6"> <div class="main-logo-container"> <a href="/"><img class="main-logo" src="/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/doj-seal-header.png" alt="Calfifornia Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General"></a> </div> <div class="header"> <span>Rob Bonta</span> <br> <div class="header-separator"></div> <span class="title">Attorney General</span> </div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12- col-md-6"> <div class="form-group"> <form action="/search-results/" accept-charset="utf-8"> <div class="input-group desktopNavSearch"> <label class="sr-only" for="query-header">Search</label> <input class="form-control form-search" name="query" type="text" id="query-header"> <span class="input-group-btn"> <button class="btn btn-default form-submit" type="submit">Search</button> </span> </div> </form> <div class="form-group translate-header"> <a class="translate" data-toggle="modal" href="#siteTranslate">Translate Website | <span lang="es">Traducir Sitio Web</span></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div id="siteTranslate" class="modal fade bs-example-modal-lg" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="googleTranslate"> <div class="modal-dialog modal-lg" role="document"> <div class="modal-content"> <div class="modal-header"> <button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal" aria-label="Close"><span aria-hidden="true">×</span></button> <h4 class="modal-title" id="googleTranslate">Google™ Translate Disclaimer</h4> </div> <div class="modal-body"> <p>This Google™ translation feature is provided for informational purposes only.</p> <p>The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool.</p> <p>Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business.</p> <p>If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at <a href="mailto:EERROffice@doj.ca.gov">EERROffice@doj.ca.gov</a></p> <p>A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our <a href="/disclaimer">Disclaimer</a> page.</p> <h5>Select a Language Below / Seleccione el Idioma Abajo</h5> <div id="google_translate_element"></div> <script type="text/javascript"> function googleTranslateElementInit() { new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.HORIZONTAL, multilanguagePage: true}, 'google_translate_element'); } </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//translate.google.com/translate_a/element.js?cb=googleTranslateElementInit"></script> </div> <div class="modal-footer"> <button type="button" class="btn btn-default" data-dismiss="modal">Close</button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header>    <div class="region region-navigation"> <div id="block-block-371" class="block block-block"> <div class="content"> <nav class="navbar navbar-default yamm"> <div class="container"> <div class="navbar-header mobileNavSearch"> <form action="/search-results/" accept-charset="utf-8"> <div class="input-group"> <label class="sr-only" for="query-mobile">Search</label> <input class="form-control form-search" name="query" type="text" id="query-mobile"> <span class="input-group-btn"> <button class="btn btn-default form-submit" type="search" style="margin-left:0.5em;">Search</button> </span> </div> </form> <button type="button" class="navbar-toggle collapsed" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#navbar-collapse" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="sr-only">Toggle navigation</span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> <span class="icon-bar"></span> </button> </div> <div id="navbar-collapse" class="collapse navbar-collapse"> <ul class="nav navbar-nav mainNavbar"> <li class="dropdown"><a class="active-trail" href="/home">Home</a></li> <li class="dropdown yamm-fw"><a href="/about" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" id="accessible-menu-first-tier-1" aria-controls="accessible-menu-first-tier-2" aria-expanded="true">About</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu" id="accessible-menu-first-tier-2" aria-expanded="true" aria-hidden="false" aria-labelledby="accessible-menu-first-tier-1"> <li> <div class="yamm-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3"> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/about"><img class="img-thumbnail" alt="Attorney General Rob Bonta" src="/sites/default/files/media/ag-bonta-official-2.jpg"></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>Who We Are</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/about">About AG Rob Bonta</a></li> <li><a href="/office">About the Office of the Attorney General</a></li> <li><a href="/history">History of the Office</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>What We Do</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/careers/aboutus/psle">Public Safety</a></li> <li><a href="/opinions">Opinions and Quo Warranto</a></li> <li><a href="/research">Research Advisory Panel</a></li> <li><a href="/research-center">Research Center</a></li> <li><a href="/children-seniors">Children & Families</a></li> <li><a href="/civil">Civil Rights</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers">Consumer Protection</a></li> <li><a href="/environment">Environment & Public Health</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>What We're Working On</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/housing">Housing</a></li> <li><a href="/ogvp">Office of Gun Violence Prevention</a></li> <li><a href="/21st-century-policing">21st Century Policing</a></li> <li><a href="/economic">Consumer Protection and Economic Opportunity</a></li> <li><a href="/health-care">Health Care</a></li> <li><a href="/environment/justice">Environmental Justice</a></li> <li><a href="/equality">Equality</a></li> <li><a href="/immigrant">Immigration</a></li> <li><a href="/bcj">Children’s Rights</a></li> <li><a href="https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/" target="_blank">OpenJustice</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/media" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown" id="accessible-menu-first-tier-3" aria-controls="accessible-menu-first-tier-4" aria-expanded="true">Media</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu" id="accessible-menu-first-tier-4" aria-expanded="true" aria-hidden="false" aria-labelledby="accessible-menu-first-tier-3"> <li> <div class="yamm-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <h4>Media Center</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/media/news">Press Releases</a></li> <li><a href="/media/library">Media Library</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-12"> <h4>Social Media</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AGRobBonta" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General Facebook">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/AGRobBonta" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General Twitter">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/AGRobBonta" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General Instagram">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/caoag" target="_blank" title="California Attorney General YouTube">YouTube</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown yamm-fw"><a href="/careers" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown">Careers</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <div class="yamm-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>Career Opportunities</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/careers/how-to-apply">How to Apply</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/exams">Assessments</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/job-vacancies">Job Vacancies</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/students">Internships & Student Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/special-agent-recruitment">Become a Special Agent</a></li> <li><a href="/dag-recruitment">Become a Deputy Attorney General</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>Organization of the Office</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/careers/aboutus">About the Office</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/aboutus/legal">Legal Services Divisions</a></li> <li><a href="/law/dle">Division of Law Enforcement</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/descriptions/cjis">California Justice Information Services (CJIS)</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/aboutus/administration">Administration</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-6"> <h4>AG Honors Program & Geoffrey Wright Solicitor General Fellowship</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/careers/honors">Attorney General's Honors Program</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/osg-fellowship">Geoffrey Wright Solicitor General Fellowship</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/regulations">Regulations</a> </li> <li class="dropdown yamm-fw"><a href="/services-info" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown">Resources</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <div class="yamm-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>For Businesses</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/privacy/databreach/reporting">Submit Data Security Breach</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy/business-privacy">Privacy Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/hiddenfees">SB 478 - Hidden Fees</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>Service on the Attorney General</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/services-info#locations">Office Locations / Status Updates</a></li> <li><a href="/services-info#require">Laws Requiring Service on the AG</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>Open Government</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/government">Overview</a></li> <li><a href="/initiatives">Ballot Initiatives</a></li> <li><a href="/conflict-interest">Conflicts of Interest</a></li> <li><a href="/cjsc/aboutcjsc">Criminal Justice Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/general/pra">Public Records</a></li> <li><a href="/publications">Publications</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>Grants</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/grant-opportunities">Grant Opportunities</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown yamm-fw"><a href="/programs" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown">Programs</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <div class="yamm-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>Programs</h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/programs">See All Programs</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <h4>Most Popular</h4> <ul class="subList" > <li><a href="/charities">Charities</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov" target="_blank">Megan's Law</a></li> <li><a href="/cures">CURES</a></li> <li><a href="/services-info">Service on the Attorney General</a></li> <li><a href="/dmfea">Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-6"> <h4>  <span class="sr-only">Most Popular</span></h4> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/register">Permits & Registrations</a></li> <li><a href="/prop65">Prop 65 – Safe Drinking Water</a></li> <li><a href="/missing">Missing Persons</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy/databreach/reporting">Data Security Breach</a></li> <li><a href="/human-trafficking">Human Trafficking</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/appointments">Appointments</a></li> <li class="dropdown"><a href="/contact" class="dropdown-toggle" data-toggle="dropdown">Contact</a> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li> <div class="yamm-content"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-12"> <ul class="subList"> <li><a href="/contact">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="/contact-espanol#googtrans(en|es)" class="sub notranslate">Contact Us - En español</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/contact/espanol">Contáctenos/Formularios</a></li> <li><a href="/services-info">Service on the Attorney General</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> <script> jQuery('ul.mainNavbar li.dropdown > a').on("keydown click", function(event) { var keycode = (event.keyCode ? event.keyCode : event.which); switch (keycode) { case 27: // 27 - escape key jQuery('ul.mainNavbar .dropdown-menu').hide(); jQuery(this).parent().removeClass('open'); jQuery(this).parent().find('.dropdown-menu').hide(); return false; case 1: // 1 - click case 13: // 13 - enter key var drop = jQuery(this).parent().find('.dropdown-menu'); if(jQuery(this).parent().hasClass("open") || drop.length == 0) { var href = jQuery(this).attr('href'); window.location.href = href; return; } jQuery('ul.mainNavbar .dropdown-menu').hide(); jQuery('ul.mainNavbar .dropdown.open').removeClass('open'); drop.show(); jQuery(this).parent().addClass('open'); return false; case 40: // 40 - down arrow key jQuery('ul.mainNavbar .dropdown-menu').hide(); jQuery('ul.mainNavbar .dropdown.open').removeClass('open'); jQuery(this).parent().find('.dropdown-menu').show(); jQuery(this).parent().addClass('open'); break; } }); jQuery('ul.mainNavbar li.dropdown').hover(function() { jQuery(this).find('.dropdown-menu').show(); jQuery(this).addClass('open'); }, function() { jQuery(this).find('.dropdown-menu').hide(); jQuery(this).removeClass('open'); }); </script> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="row"> </div> </div> <div class="main-container container"> <div class="row"> <section class="col-sm-12"> <a id="main-content"></a> <h1 class="page-header">Economic Security</h1> <ol class="breadcrumb"><li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li class="active">Economic Security</li> </ol> <div class="region region-content"> <div id="block-system-main" class="block block-system"> <div class="content"> <div id="node-100690" class="node node-page clearfix" about="/economic" typeof="foaf:Document"> <span property="dc:title" content="Economic Security" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span><span property="sioc:num_replies" content="0" datatype="xsd:integer" class="rdf-meta element-hidden"></span> <div class="content clearfix"> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The Attorney General's Office believes that the economic security of working families is crucial to the economic wellbeing of California. That’s why he is fighting to make sure that everyone in our state can benefit from economic growth and consumer protections.</p> <p>The Attorney General has a special role in enforcing the laws that safeguard California consumers, including consumer protection statutes, antitrust laws, and other civil and criminal laws that protect families and competition in the California market. </p> <p>At this critical time for the people of California and the Nation, the Attorney General's Office is holding the line against President Trump’s attempts to roll back important consumer protections and failure to fulfill the federal responsibility to support economic opportunity. The Attorney General's Office will fight every step of the way to defend against regulatory and economic backslide. Our consumer protection and economic opportunity work keeps California moving forward. </p> <h2>PROTECTING CALIFORNIA CONSUMERS</h2> <p>One of the Attorney General's Office top priorities is protecting California consumers. The Attorney General's Office has directed the resources of the Department of Justice to stand up for all Californians, including those who most need a champion – young people and students, working families, and vulnerable communities. </p> <ul> <li><strong>Litigation and Settlements:</strong> When he assumed office, the Attorney General's Office made protecting consumers a top priority. Since then, he has announced a $33 million multi-state <a href="/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-announces-33m-nationwide-settlement-after-maker-tylenol">settlement</a> with Johnson and Johnson for marketing over-the-counter medicines that failed to meet quality standards; a $586 million multi-state <a href="/news/press-releases/attorney-general-xavier-becerra-announces-settlement-western-union-wire-fraud">settlement</a> with Western Union for wire fraud scams; and a record $18.5 million multi-state <a href="/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-target-settles-record-185-million-credit-card-data">settlement</a> with Target over data security failures that contributed to the compromise of 40 million customers' payment card information during the 2013 holiday season. For the latest news on what the Attorney General's Office is doing to protect consumers, please make sure to visit our Press Releases page at <a href="/news">oag.ca.gov/news</a>.</li> <li><strong>Submit a complaint:</strong> Consumers who would like to file a complaint against a business or company can do so <a href="/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company">here</a>. </li> </ul> <h2>STUDENTS & YOUNG PEOPLE</h2> <p>The Attorney General has a unique role in defending California’s young people, from protecting the rights of children in school to ensuring that predatory colleges cannot destroy financial futures. At this moment when President Trump is abdicating his responsibility to children and students across the country, we are going to do everything we can here in California to defend and nurture the next generation. </p> <p>The Attorney General's Office is working to protect student loan borrowers and hold colleges accountable. The Attorney General's Office recently <a href="/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-sues-us-department-education-unlawfully-delaying">filed</a> a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education for unlawfully delaying the implementation of regulations aimed at protecting students from deceptive practices and fraud; urged U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to expedite loan forgiveness for former students of Corinthian Colleges; and <a href="/news/press-releases/attorney-general-xavier-becerra-announces-outreach-program-corinthian-students">announced</a> an outreach effort to notify thousands of California residents who attended schools operated by Corinthian that they may be eligible for cancellation of their federal student loans used to attend those schools.</p> <p><strong>Resources for Students and Student Loan Borrowers</strong></p> <p>The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a number of <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/students/">resources</a> for students and young consumers, including information on paying for college and options for managing student loans. </p> <ul> <li>For assistance figuring out how to pay for college, check out the CFPB’s “Paying for College” <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/">tool</a>.</li> <li>If you are working in public service and repaying student debt, you might be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Check out the CFPB’s guide <a href="http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_guide-for-public-service-employees-with-student-debt.pdf">here</a>. </li> </ul> <p>Students who have been defrauded by their schools have a number of resources for potential relief: </p> <ul> <li>The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education runs a <a href="http://www.bppe.ca.gov/students/strf.shtml">Student Tuition Recovery Fund</a>, which can provide tuition reimbursements for certain students who were enrolled at the time of a school’s closure or within 120 days of the school’s closure. </li> <li>The U.S. Department of Education’s Borrower Defense to Repayment rule calls for the Department to discharge the federal student loans of students who suffered from fraud. The Attorney General's Office <a href="/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-secretary-devos-expedite-loan-forgiveness-corinthian">urged</a> Secretary DeVos in June 2017 to expeditiously grant this relief to eligible students. </li> <li>Any student who attended a Corinthian program and believes that the school lied about job prospects, the transferability of credits, or other issues may apply to have their federal student loans canceled using the Department of Education’s universal discharge application at <a href="https://borrowerdischarge.ed.gov">https://borrowerdischarge.ed.gov</a>. More information is available at <a href="https://studentaid.ed.gov/borrower-defense">https://studentaid.ed.gov/borrower-defense</a>. </li> <li>Anyone who applies for loan discharge should continue making payments on the loans until informed otherwise by the U.S. Department of Education or loan servicer. To report issues in obtaining help with their student loans, Californians are encouraged to contact the Attorney General and the Department of Justice through the <a href="/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company">Public Inquiry Unit</a>.</li> </ul> <h2>INNOVATION AND COMPETITION</h2> <p>Competition and innovation are critical to the success of the California economy. Under the Attorney General's Office, the California Department of Justice supports innovation and a competitive marketplace through enforcement against the abuses and excesses of companies seeking an unfair advantage. The California Department of Justice will continue to stand up against corporate fraud, anticompetitive practices, and merger transactions that harm California markets and communities.</p> <p><strong>Fighting Corporate Fraud</strong></p> <p>The Attorney General's Office is committed to strong enforcement of California law against the abuses and excesses of unscrupulous companies. The California Department of Justice investigates and prosecutes corporate and securities fraud, as well as other forms of financial fraud and illegal business activities. </p> <p><strong>Antitrust Enforcement</strong></p> <p>Antitrust enforcement is an important component of a sound economy. the Attorney General's Office is focused on using the important antitrust enforcement responsibility of the California Department of Justice to protect competition in the California market and help California consumers. For instance, he joined a <a href="/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-joins-price-fixing-lawsuit-against-six-drug-companies">federal antitrust lawsuit</a> with 39 other states charging six generic drug-makers with an illegal conspiracy to divide customers and markets and increase prices for two generic drugs, and he took <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-announces-action-against-proposed-asset-sale-could">action</a> against a proposed asset sale that could lead to higher gas prices for consumers in Northern California. </p> <p>The Attorney General's Office antitrust enforcement initiatives include a particular focus on protecting competition in the healthcare marketplace and vigorous review of proposed mergers and acquisitions that would affect the prices and availability of products and services used by Californians.</p> <h2>FIGHTING FEDERAL ROLLBACKS</h2> <p>The Attorney General's Office believes that we can build a robust economy while standing up for the rights of students and working families. At the California Department of Justice, we work with the federal government to protect consumers and competition when we can—and when President Trump tries to weaken federal protections, the Attorney General's Office fights back to defend California. </p> <p><strong>Opposing Regulatory Rollbacks</strong></p> <p>The Attorney General's Office opposes the Trump Administration’s and Congressional Republicans’ attempts to undo important economic and regulatory reforms following the Great Recession. We are defending the work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the critical reforms protecting consumer privacy and an open internet. And here in California, we continue moving forward with California’s progress to defend student loan borrowers, advance cybersecurity, protect safety net programs, and support retirement savings. </p> <p><strong>Protections for Students Loan Borrowers</strong></p> <p>The actions of the Trump Administration have created serious risk for student loan borrowers and their families. In November 2016, the U.S. Department of Education promulgated new regulations, the Borrower Defense Rule, that would grant streamlined relief to students who were defrauded by their colleges in the future. These rules were scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2017, but the Department of Education announced it would delay the rules. In July 2017, the Attorney General's Office filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education challenging this improper delay and aims to ensure that any student harmed in the future will receive the relief to which he or she is entitled. </p> <h2>CONSUMER RESOURCES</h2> <p>Our office cannot give you legal advice or represent you. For referral to a lawyer, you may contact the State Bar at (866) 442-2529 (toll-free in California) or (415) 538-2250 (from outside California), or through its website at: <a href="http://www.calbar.ca.gov">http://www.calbar.ca.gov</a>. If you cannot afford to pay an attorney, you may consider contacting your local legal aid office. For a referral, visit <a href="http://www.lsc.gov">http://www.lsc.gov</a> and click on the Find Legal Assistance tab, or go to <a href="http://lawhelpca.org">http://lawhelpca.org</a>.</p> <ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"> <li><a href="/consumers/general/alerts">Consumer Alerts</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/general/military">Service members & Veterans </a></li> <li><a href="/charities">Charities</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/general/cars">Autos</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/general/immigration_consultants">Immigration Consultants </a></li> <li><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201703_YMYG_Focus-on-Reentry.pdf">Resources for Reentry </a></li> <li><a href="/idtheft">Identity Theft </a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/general/moving">Moving companies </a></li> <li><a href="/crypto">Cryptocurrencies and Crypto Assets</a></li> <li><a href="/ab1287">AB 1287, Gender-Based Price Discrimination in the Sale of Goods</a></li> </ol> </div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>    </section> </div> </div> <footer class="footer container"> <div class="region region-footer"> <div id="block-block-373" class="block block-block"> <div class="content"> <div class="row hidden-print"> <div class="container sect-separator"> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-1"> <img class="footer-seal" src="/sites/default/themes/custom2017/oag2017/img/seal.png" alt="State of California Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General" /> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-5"> <div class="office">State of California Department of Justice <br> Office of the Attorney General</div> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-6"> <div class="form-group"> <form action="/search-results/" accept-charset="utf-8"> <div class="input-group"> <label class="sr-only" for="query-footer">Search</label> <input class="form-control form-search" name="query" type="text" id="query-footer"> <span class="input-group-btn"> <button class="btn btn-default form-submit" type="submit">Search</button> </span> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row hidden-print"> <div class="container sect-separator">  <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-3"> <p class="heading"><a href="/office"> WHO WE ARE </a></p> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/about">About AG Rob Bonta</a></li> <li><a href="/history">History of the Office</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/aboutus">Organization of the Office</a></li> </ul> <p class="heading">WHAT WE DO</p> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/careers/aboutus/psle">Public Safety</a></li> <li><a href="/opinions">Opinions and Quo Warranto</a></li> <li><a href="/research">Research</a></li> <li><a href="/children-seniors">Children & Families</a></li> <li><a href="/civil">Civil Rights</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers">Consumer Protection</a></li> <li><a href="/environment">Environment & Public Health</a></li> <li><a href="/grant-opportunities">Grant Opportunities</a></li> <li><a href="/tobacco/directory">Tobacco Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/tobaccogrants">Tobacco Grants</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="clearfix visible-sm"></div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-3">  <p class="heading"><a href="/government">OPEN GOVERNMENT</a></p> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/initiatives">Ballot Initiatives</a></li> <li><a href="/conflict-interest">Conflicts of Interest</a></li> <li><a href="/cjsc/aboutcjsc">Criminal Justice Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/meetings">Meetings and Public Notices</a></li> <li><a href="https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/">OpenJustice Initiative</a></li> <li><a href="/consumers/general/pra">Public Records</a></li> <li><a href="/publications">Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/regulations">Regulations</a></li> </ul> <p class="heading">Memorial</p> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/memorial">Agents Fallen in the Line of Duty</a></li> </ul> <p class="heading">Vote</p> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="http://registertovote.ca.gov/" target="_blank">Register to Vote</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-3"> <p class="heading">WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON</p> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/21st-century-policing">21st Century Policing</a></li> <li><a href="/bcj">Children’s Rights</a></li> <li><a href="/economic">Consumer Protection and Economic Opportunity</a></li> <li><a href="/environment">Environmental Justice</a></li> <li><a href="/equality">Equality</a></li> <li><a href="/health-care">Health Care</a></li> <li><a href="/immigrant">Immigration</a></li> <li><a href="https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/" target="_blank">OpenJustice</a></li> </ul>  </div> <div class="col-xs-12 col-md-3"> <p class="heading"><a href="/media">MEDIA </a></p> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/consumers/alerts">Consumer Alerts</a></li> <li><a href="/media/news">Press Releases</a></li> <li><a href="/media/library">Media Library</a></li> </ul> <p class="heading"><a href="/careers">CAREERS</a></p> <ul class="nav"> <li><a href="/careers/civil">Getting a State Job</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/exams">Examinations</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/job-vacancies">Job Vacancies</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/students">Internships & Student Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/honors/introduction">Attorney General's Honors Program</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/osg-fellowship" class="sub two-line">Geoffrey Wright Solicitor General Fellowship</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="container"> <div class="col-xs-12"> <ul class="list-inline"> <li><a href="https://oag.ca.gov/">Office of the Attorney General</a></li> <li><a href="/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/conditions">Conditions of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/disclaimer">Disclaimer</a></li> <li>© 2024 DOJ</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div><div id="block-block-418" class="block block-block"> <div class="content"> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(document).ready(function() { findEle = jQuery('.breadcrumb').find('li:first-child').text(); if (findEle == '') { jQuery('.breadcrumb').hide(); } }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="https://oag.ca.gov/sites/default/themes/contrib/bootstrap/js/bootstrap.js?sndcgw"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Economic Security | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General