Public Protection Division – Vermont Attorney General’s Office – Montpelier, VT

Public Protection Division

The Public Protection Division is a major component of the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, located in the Pavilion Building at 109 State Street in Montpelier. This division is dedicated to safeguarding the rights, health, and safety of Vermonters through the enforcement of state laws and consumer protection regulations. It handles a wide array of matters ranging from consumer fraud and antitrust violations to environmental protection and health care oversight.

Key Units and Functions

• Consumer Assistance Program (CAP): A partnership with the University of Vermont, this unit mediates consumer complaints against businesses, addresses scams, and provides information to the public about their rights in the marketplace.
• Antitrust and Fraud: The division investigates and litigates cases involving unfair business practices, price-fixing, and market manipulation that harm Vermont consumers and the economy.
• Environmental Protection: Attorneys in this unit work to enforce Vermont’s environmental laws, prosecuting violators who pollute the state’s air, water, or land, often in collaboration with the Agency of Natural Resources.
• Health Care Oversight: This unit monitors the healthcare marketplace to ensure access and affordability, reviewing hospital budget processes and certificate of need applications.

Contact and Assistance

While the administrative offices are at 109 State Street, the Consumer Assistance Program operates a dedicated hotline for public inquiries. Vermonters who believe they have been the victim of a scam or unfair business practice can file complaints directly through the division’s online portal or by phone.