Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia’s Attorney General Chris Carr made a major announcement disclosing that, via the Consumer Protection Division, his agency had effectively secured substantial financial benefits for the state’s consumers and taxpayers in 2024. Including both recoveries and savings across several enforcement activities, the whole amount secured comes to $77.3 million.
The Consumer Protection Division concentrated over the year on a range of court settlements, mediation initiatives, and administration of the Georgia Lemon Law, which taken together brought in more than $38 million directly benefiting the taxpayers of Georgia.
The Division also obtained over $39.3 million in customer restitution and savings. Among the noteworthy recoveries were a sizable $3.3 million reimbursement for almost 500 consumers—mostly elderly or disabled adults—who were tricked into paying for unproven stem cell treatments.
Attorney General Carr highlighted the wide range of activities under his efforts.
“Last year, we secured nearly $80 million for Georgia taxpayers and Georgia consumers, met with seniors to share important information on elder fraud and exploitation, and partnered with our business community to address the rise in cybercrime,” Carr said.
He underlined the need of consumer awareness and urged Georgians to make use of the tools his agency offers in order to better grasp and prevent such scams.
Overcoming 2024, the Consumer Protection Division has been aggressive in its outreach and instructional programs. It has interacted directly with communities, attending events like the Paulding County Seniors Fair and discussions with organizations including the Athens Community Council on Aging and the Chatham Retired Educators Association. These exchanges have been especially important in raising awareness as to how to spot and avoid frauds and scams.
Apart from community outreach, the Division has been very helpful in teaching about Business Email Compromise (BEC) frauds through discussions with the Georgia Association of REALTORS and other trade associations. Through live events, webinars, and the publication of insightful guides, these initiatives overall drew approximately 980,000 individuals last year.
The office also maintains two separate websites, Consumer.ga.gov and ConsumerEd.ga.gov, for consumer information and help. These sites provide an extensive amount of material on subjects ranging from home and car buying to financial management and consumer rights. They also grant access to “Ask Consumer Ed,” a bi-weekly blog directly answering questions from customers.
The Attorney General’s office has created a number of materials for those who would want further information on how to protect themselves against scams. These include a cybersecurity guide for small enterprises, non-profits, and houses of worship as well as the Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults, detailing practical steps to protect against and respond to cyber threats.
Carr’s office added that the typical indicators of a fraud are demands for payment using untraceable ways, urgent requests for personal information, and offers that appear too good to be true. Carr’s advice to the public is simple: keep paying attention remain informed to protect your assets against fraudulent schemes.
The Attorney General’s office remains dedicated to protecting Georgia’s consumers and companies as online threats and scams change so that they have the tools and knowledge need to resist fraudulent conduct.
