If you’ve opened a bill and found a surprise fee, gotten a robocall pretending to be your bank, or signed a contract that didn’t match what you were promised — you know how quickly a small deception can turn into real financial harm.

At the same time, federal protections against junk fees, predatory lenders, and corporate abuse are being deliberately weakened. When enforcement pulls back, scams don’t slow down — they spread.

That’s why I’m proposing the creation of a Consumer Fairness and Public Protection Unit — a local watchdog with the authority to investigate scams, crack down on hidden fees, and hold bad actors accountable. From phishing schemes and deceptive contracts to surprise charges buried in the fine print, this team would focus on protecting working families and recovering money when corporations break the rules.

Before we move forward, I want to hear directly from you.

Please log on and join us for a Virtual Community Webinar this Wednesday, February 25th at 6:00 PM to share your experiences and ideas.

RSVP  here — and if you’ve encountered a scam or unfair fee, submit your story in advance (HERE) so we can incorporate it into the discussion. 

During the live Zoom webinar, you’ll be able to submit questions directly to our panel of experts, including:

• Shennan Kavanagh, Director of Litigation at the National Consumer Law Center, who leads major class action cases protecting low-income families from predatory financial practices.
  
  
• Ted Mermin, Executive Director of the Berkeley Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice, a longtime advocate for stronger public enforcement of consumer protections.
  
  
• Kant Desai, Senior Principal at the CFE Fund, who has helped cities across the country build financial empowerment offices that protect residents from scams and abusive practices.
  
  
• Mike Webb, Western States Public Policy Director at Singleton Schreiber, who helped launch one of the nation’s most aggressive state-level consumer protection teams.

When powerful interests rig the rules, local government has to step up. This proposal is about making sure San Diego families have a watchdog on their side — not just more fine print.

Consumer protection works best when it’s shaped by the people it serves. I hope you’ll join us to help build something that keeps our community safe and our economy fair.

If you have any questions, please contact my office at terra.lawson-remer@sdcounty.ca.gov or call (619) 531-5533.