The attorney general may not serve as a private attorney for an individual or provide consumers with legal advice; however, the consumer interest division provides services to the citizens of Alabama by answering questions, referring them to the appropriate personnel within the office, and directing consumers to other state or federal governmental agencies dependent upon the issue presented.

Staff also manages consumer complaints and state registrations, including billing and payment processing for charities, fantasy sports operators, health studios, professional fundraisers, professional solicitors, commercial co-venturers, and telemarketers that solicit in or from Alabama.

Consumer specialists investigate and resolve consumers’ complaints and serve as mediators between Alabama consumers and businesses.  Consumer specialists develop educational outreach programs teaching consumers how to avoid scams and frequently make presentations throughout the state.

Consumer attorneys enforce the deceptive trade practices act, data breach, civil human trafficking, and other consumer protection laws and regulations by litigating in the state court for damages, penalties, injunctive relief and by participating in national consumer protection multi-state cases on behalf of Alabama consumers.  The attorneys represent consumers throughout the state in matters affecting public utility services.  Environmental issues are actively litigated on behalf of Alabama to enforce state environmental laws and to prevent and abate pollution of state waters, land, and air.

Environmental

The environmental section represents the state of Alabama on a variety of complex environmental issues before the state and federal courts and numerous state and federal governmental agencies. The environmental section actively litigates on behalf of Alabama to enforce state environmental laws and to prevent and abate pollution of state waters, land, and air. In addition, the section works closely with and/or represents various state environmental regulatory boards and agencies, including the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and the Environmental Management Commission.

Utilities

This section of the civil division acts as the advocate for the consumers before the Alabama Public Service Commission and represents the attorney general in all utility matters before the Public Service Commission. The attorney general, primarily representing residential consumers, intervenes in utility matters affecting the public interest, particularly those utility dockets involving rate and service issues with electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and wastewater companies.

Important links:

Consumer Complaint

License Search

To reach the consumer hotline, please call 1-800-392-5658 or 334-242-7335

For specific questions regarding registrations involving charities, health studios, professional fundraisers, professional solicitors, commercial co-venturers, and telemarketers that solicit in or from the state of Alabama, please call 1-800-392-5658 or 334-242-7335