Fairfax County Consumer Affairs

Home
United States
Fairfax, VA
Fairfax County Consumer Affairs

Official page of the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch. For more information, visit us at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cableconsumer

Official page of the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch in Fairfax County, Virginia. For more information, visit us at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/consumer. We monitor this page during normal business hours and sometimes look on nights and weekends, too.

06/19/2020

How to Get Rid of Ants

Five simple steps, from the experts at Consumer Reports, on how to get rid of ants in your house.

06/19/2020

American Cancer Society Guidelines to Lower Cancer Risk

The American Cancer Society has released its guidance for lowering cancer risk. In addition to not smoking, stay on top of screenings and keep active.

06/19/2020

6 Things You Should Never Do With Bleach

Liquid bleach or other disinfectants are dangerous chemicals when used incorrectly, and there are increasing reports of misuse. Here are the facts.

06/19/2020

Tickproof Your Yard Without Spraying

Consumer Reports recommends you follow these chemical-free tricks to tickproof your yard and keep disease-transmitting pests at bay.

06/18/2020

19 Father's Day Gifts for 2020

Consumer Reports has Father's Day gift ideas that will make his life easier, from a specialty coffee maker for a busy morning, to a customizable pillow for a great night's rest.

06/18/2020

Fairfax County 50+

"This crisis launched us into a new realm, and we rose to the occasion." This is how Olli/GMU director Jennifer Disano describes how the program turned on a dime and offered most of its classes online - within two weeks after shutting classroom doors in March. It all worked out and "allowed people to stay connected and laugh with each other," says Disano. Listen to the fascinating story on Fairfax 50+ Podcast and then check out Olli’s summer online offerings. Go to https://soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty/osher-lifelong-learning-institute-olli-summer-highlights-fairfax-50-podcast-june-17-2020?in=fairfaxcounty/sets/fairfax-50-podcast
and then https://olli.gmu.edu/.

06/18/2020

Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection

Beware of spoofed phone numbers on your caller ID. But the Census *might*call you. Find out more about how to spot scams here:https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OCP/Resources/Files/OCP_News/Census-Scams-Newsletter.pdf

06/18/2020

Blender Buying Guide

Looking for the best blender? Don't buy before finding out what the experts at Consumer Reports have to say. Click here for advice you can trust.

06/18/2020

Stopping Hackers in Their Tracks | Federal Bureau of Investigation

When an Atlanta tech company fell victim to a hacker, its quick reaction and collaboration with the FBI helped find and convict the culprit.

06/18/2020

3 Steps to Stay Safe From COVID-19 If You Are 60+ - Fairfax County Emergency Information

Posted at 10:35 a.m. As communities and businesses are opening, people are looking for ways to resume some daily activities as safely as possible. It is important to remember that COVID-19 continues to spread in our community. Everyone is at risk, but older adults and people of any age with underlyi...

06/18/2020

Best Blenders for Making Smoothies

Consumer Reports highlights the best blenders for making smoothies to jump-start your day. Models from Cuisinart, Ninja, and Vitamix are good choices to consider.

06/18/2020

Virginia State Corporation Commission

A new area code has been assigned to western and northern portions of Virginia. The new 826 area code will relieve the future exhaustion of phone numbers in Virginia’s 540 area code that includes Roanoke, Harrisonburg, the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, Fredericksburg and parts of Northern Virginia.

The relief plan approved by the SCC superimposes the new 826 area code over the same geographic footprint covered by the existing 540 area code region and will require 10-digit dialing for local calls.

The proposed 13-month implementation schedule includes a 6-month period during which calls within the 540 area code can be completed using either 7 or 10 digits. Case number PUR-2019-00148. https://bit.ly/3hN2uPw

06/17/2020

Beginner's Guide to Motorhomes

Motorhomes have clear appeal, Consumer Reports says, but understanding different versions and choosing the right RV for your needs takes some research.

06/17/2020

Fairfax County 50+

It begins when you receive an email claiming to be from Netflix. At first it may look legit – you see a Netflix logo. But it's actually a scam - they are trying to get your financial information. Tune in to the latest episode of Fairfax County's Scam Slam because the best way to avoid a scam is to know what's going around!
https://soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty/sets/scam-slam-audio-series

06/17/2020

With Payments on Pause, Watch Your Credit Score

Global News Select With Payments on Pause, Watch Your Credit Score Provided by Dow Jones Jun 9, 2020 9:44 AM UTC By Anne Tergesen and Orla McCaffrey The federal government has directed lenders to give consumers a break on some of their monthly bills amid the coronavirus crisis -- without reporting t...

06/17/2020

How to Prepare for a Road Trip During the Pandemic

Consumer Reports shows you how to prepare for a road trip by making sure all your vehicle's functions are fine-tuned and operating at maximum performance levels.

06/17/2020

Getting stimulus checks from car dealerships? Nope.

During these difficult economic times, scammers will do almost anything to try to get your money.

06/17/2020

19 Father's Day Gifts for 2020

Consumer Reports has Father's Day gift ideas that will make his life easier, from a specialty coffee maker for a busy morning, to a customizable pillow for a great night's rest.

06/16/2020

Fairfax County Health Department

Avoiding tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. Here are some tips:

✔️ Avoid wooded and busy areas with high grass and leaf litter.
✔️ Wear EPA-registered insect repelleant with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Read and follow label instructions.
✔️ Treat clothes and shoes with permethrin. Follow instructions and don't apply directly on your skin.
✔️ Walk down the center of trails.
✔️Tuck your shirt into your pants and tuck your pants into your socks.
✔️ Do a thorough tick check when you get home.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/2Dn2NOf

#Fightthe Bite #TickTuesday

06/16/2020

How to Find a Financial Planner You Trust

Use our road map to find an adviser who will truly look out for your best interests.

06/16/2020

VA Money Search

Want some good news in your news feed? Did you know the Virginia Department of Treasury is giving back money to citizens...for FREE?! Just go online to www.vaMoneySearch.org to find what's yours! #unclaimedmoney

06/16/2020

Don’t give your Social Security number to a contact tracer. New scam plays on COVID-19

Scam artists are using the coronavirus outbreak to swindle Californians into giving up personal information, according to the California Department of Justice.

06/15/2020

Virginia State Corporation Commission

In conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day today, the SCC reminds Virginians that extended isolation and loneliness during the #COVID19 pandemic may create a perfect storm for financial exploitation of senior citizens. https://bit.ly/3d7tLsa #weaad

06/15/2020

Robocall reports still down, FTC still fighting

A couple months ago, we told you the good news that people had been reporting getting fewer robocalls, and we told you about how some of the FTC’s work might have played a part in that.

06/15/2020

Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection

Are you thinking of going solar? Here's a webinar that introduces the solar co-op, and also explains unique consumer issues with installing and financing solar panels.
Solar United Neighbors Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection

06/15/2020

The coronavirus pandemic has unleashed a new wave of fraud

Scams target unemployment benefits and personal data.

06/12/2020

Federal Trade Commission

If you bought Lights of America brand LED light bulbs before 2011, you may be eligible for a refund. These LED light bulbs were sold at Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, hardware stores, grocery stores, and on Amazon. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xw9fh

06/12/2020

AARP ElderWatch

Crime doesn't pay! Especially when you are trying to trick consumers into falsely advertised health plans.

06/12/2020

Why is Zoom keeping end-to-end encryption away from free users?

If you're a free Zoom user, you won't be getting the same privacy protections going forward as paid users. Here's the reason why.

06/12/2020

Fraud Alert: A New Religious Twist to the Old Gift Card Scam

Con artists are putting a new twist on the old gift-card scam by sending out email and text messages that look as if they originated from someone at your church, synagogue, or mosque asking you to buy some gift cards to give to needy congregants or others in the community.

06/12/2020

Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection

The FTC has served numerous warning letters to companies making immune boosting claims

06/12/2020

COVID-19 Government Impersonation Scams -- Scam Slam Audio Series

Hi, I’m Martin Bailey, representing AARP Virginia and the Senior Medicare Patrol on Fairfax County’s Silver Shield Task Force. Many of us are paying close attention to guidance from federal, state, a

06/11/2020

Scam Slam Audio Series - Charity Scams

The best way to avoid a scam is to know what’s going around. In just a few minutes, Martin Bailey describes current scams circulating the community -– including scams over the phone, on the internet a

06/11/2020

What do COVID-19 scams look like in your state?

We’ve been telling you about the scams related to COVID-19.

Address

12000 Government Center Pkwy, Ste 433
Fairfax, VA
22035

Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:30
Thursday	08:00 - 16:30
Friday	08:00 - 16:30

Telephone

(703) 222-8435

Website

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cableconsumer/csd/consumer

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Fairfax County Consumer Affairs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Fairfax County Consumer Affairs:

Videos

National Consumer Protection Week: Taking Control of Your Personal Finances

Managing your personal finances is key to reaching your financial goals. Michelle L. Thompson, Consumer Specialist with the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch will share strategies and tools for: • Tracking and analyzing your personal spending • Creating a plan for meeting your financial obligations and reaching your goals • Reducing debt balances to increase your credit score, and • Creating a safety net to protect against unexpected financial challenges. Post your questions in the comments below!

Consumer Connection: Consumer Affairs 101

Consumer Connection: National Consumer Protection Week

Susan Jones, Branch Chief, Fairfax County Consumer Affairs speaks with Michelle Margeotes, Consumer Specialist, about the National Consumer Protection Week and all the events and activities across the county March 1-7, 2020.

Consumer Connection: Regulation and Licensing 101

Susan Jones, Branch Chief, Fairfax County Consumer Affairs talks with Carl Newcomb, Branch Chief of the Fairfax County Regulation and Licensing Branch about permitting for certain business lines in the county.

Your Community, You're Connected: Reasonable Rules and Compliance

Your Community, You’re Connected is an educational television program for volunteer leaders and members of homeowners' and condominium associations. Tonight’s topic will focus on the association board’s responsibility and authority to establish and foster compliance of the association’s covenant restrictions and association rules. Guests will share tips and strategies on how reasonableness and the business judgment rule can guide communities towards greater compliance.

Consumer Connection: Holiday Safety

Susan Jones, Branch Chief Consumer Affairs, talks with 2nd LT Erica Webb of FCPD about how to stay safe and secure during the holidays.

Consumer Connection: Shared Mobility Devices

Consumer Connection: Energy Action Month

A juggler is entertaining children at the Springfield Town Center, 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield today until 3:00p.m. Come out and see us with your consumer questions.

Consumer Connection: National Preparedness Month

Consumer Connection: Consumer Affairs Branch Services and Resources

Consumer Connection: Commissions Supported by DCCS

Join Susan Jones, Branch Chief Consumer Affairs, and Rebecca Makely, Director Consumer Services, to hear about the multiple commissions and their work supported by the Fairfax County Consumer Services Division.

Consumer Connection: Tree Care & Urban Forest Management

Urban Forester, Jack Baggett speaks on tree maintenance and other services available to Fairfax Co residents.

Consumer Connection: Older Americans and Adult Abuse Prevention

Consumer Connection: Home Improvements in Common Interest Communities

Consumer Connection: Virginia Resale Certificates and Association Disclosure Packets

National Consumer Protection Week Update

Join Rebecca Makely for an update on activities Consumers Affairs has planned for National Consumer Protection Week

National Consumer Protection Week Kickoff

Discussing events around the county for National Consumer Protection Week

Consumer Connection: Gym Membership

Gym Memberships in the new year: things to know

Resources for Fairfax Co Residents Affected by the Shutdown

Resources for Fairfax County Residents Affected by the Federal Government Shutdown

Consumer Connection: Gift Cards

Know how to protect yourself when purchasing and redeeming gift cards.

Consumer Connection: Applying for College Financial Aid

Consumer Connection: Staying Safe Online

Be smart online to avoid scammers and hackers

Consumer Connection: Landlord Rights and Responsibilities

Consumer Connection: Tenant Rights & Responsibilities

Consumer Connection: Contractor Hiring

Consumer Connection: Travel Scams

Please scroll to the 3:00 minute mark to begin video.

Consumer Connection: Summer Rentals

Auto Sales & Repairs

Consumer Connection: Imposter Scams

Our Story

Official page of the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch in Fairfax County, Virginia. For more information, visit us at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cableconsumer We monitor this page during normal business hours and sometimes look on nights and weekends, too.