Matthew Tulchin, Esq.

Having a NCDOJ is a good idea and can protect consumers if properly run, but at present the result of its existence is as good as the employees working there. If all that’s needed from NCDOJ employees is to show up at work to collect a paycheck, that’s all they will do. That is precisely my experience with the Consumer Protection Agency. My case agent, Cindy Gilliam, just forwarded my complaint and rebuttal directly to the business, and vise versa. Did not take a side and did not even care if the business responded. I had to prod and ask her if a response has been received so she can follow up with the business. Didn’t care a bit that what I was after is a fraud that impacted not only me, but everyone else in contract with the business. Finally she just stopped following up all together. I thought this agency was suppose to prevent businesses from taking advantage of individuals, but instead appears to be just making sure the taxpayers money are spent for rewarding lazy and useless employees. In the corporate world, each employee performance is evaluated on an annual basis and federal offices should not be any different if an actual impact is to be made by the agency. I wonder how Josh Stein can even think that his agency has any real value or purpose, and what would he claim to have done successfully when it’s time to make his pitch for a governor?

These people don't know what they are doing! My consumer protection specialist Cindy G. made my case worse by interfering with it being properly mediated by the corporate office of the landlord I complained about. As a result, my housing was negatively impacted, causing my family and I even more distress! The only reason that I don't give my consumer affairs specialists' full name out is because she apologized so many times to me about the problems she caused, but by then the damage had already been done. In hindsight, I should have asked questions before sending my complaint to this department and expecting that it would be handled correctly. Had I spoken to these folks first, I would have been able to assess early on that they mostly do not, and cannot provide any real help to the public. I didn't expect them to provide legal advice, but I did expect them to be able to follow my instructions and send my complaint to, and collaborate with the corporate office that I provided as being able to resolve the problem. All they did was forward my complaint to the actual person I complained about instead of to that person's bosses, which caused even more conflict! I would have been much better off simply advocating for myself. I agree with some of the other complaints / reviews about this department. I believe that especially if you have landlord problems you need to find any other federal, state, or local organization to help you. If you can't find that, it's better to just hire an attorney. After researching and speaking now to multiple people from the NC Consumer Affairs department, it's clear to me that this entire department funded by taxpayers should be downsized to a simple informational website, that lists organizational and legal resources for consumers to seek after encountering scams or unfair business practices. Why waste tax payers dollars on an entire department that just goes through the motions and ads no real help the public? The consumer affairs specialists are not the experts, or consumer protectors that they are described as being on the NC Attorney General's website. Do yourself a favor, save yourself the time, and look for help elsewhere.

Scammed by a business, had multiple other individuals reach out scammed by the same business. But told 3-4 individuals isn't enough and our complaints will be filed away until more come in to warrant an investigation. The others who reached out were scammed after my experience, they could have been "protected" if action was taken. The contractor was caught in a bunch of lies and stopped responding and that was the end. Nothing else done, but was told to get into contact with with an attorney. Was definitely a waste of time, could have been to court already if scams were higher on police priority, but to serve papers they want you to have eyes on the suspect and then call non emergency.

There’s a lack there of any effort made by the employees here. No one truly offers any helpful service. Please explain to me the point of having offices meant to help the public when no one is actually willing to help the public? Save your time and avoid frustrations. Try contacting another group of people who actually care about helping the people who reach out to them who are in need of assistance. What a waste of employment and building usage.

I contacted NCDOJ about a fraudulent charge from a furniture company. I had tried to resolve this with the company and the credit card company to no avail. It was not until I contacted NCDOJ and got them involved was the issue resolved. I have no idea what I would have done without their intervention. Is is great to see our government at work. I went from owing 3500 to zero balance. Thanks NCDOJ all the way!